Yet another league victory for Monmouth Druids as they defeated Machen in a match played on Chippenham Mead.

The Druids, who are top of the league, were expected to win against visitors who were not enjoying the most successful season.

The Druids started well with a move that began in their own 22-metre area. Good passing put wing Sam Skipp away but with limited space in which to work, he was bundled into touch.

Another Druids attack led by full back Huw Adams almost got the scoreboard ticking over but sound Machen tackling snuffed out the chance of opening the scoring.

Druids captain Dave Brace missed a penalty goal many thought he might have kicked but made amends five minutes later when he crossed the Machen try line following a straightforward passing movement. The conversion failed but the Druids had a five-point lead.

This lead was extended after a scrum five metres from the Machen try line. Druids No 8 Nick Phillips picked up and drove forward. He was held up but second row Matt Hirst, celebrating his 39th birthday, picked up and dived over. No success with the conversion but a 10-point lead close to half-time.

There was still time for Machen to reduce the arrears through a try created in broken play. Again the conversion was unsuccessful and remarkably the Druids were only five points ahead after dominating the first period.

The second half started with the officious referee awarding a yellow card to a visiting player for continuous, technical infringements at the scrum.

The 10-minute penalty passed without the Druids being able to take advantage but they further increased the lead shortly after. Phillips caught a long throw in at a lineout. Quickly into his stride, he beat two Machen defenders to run in from 20 metres out. There was a change of kicker but no change to the lack of success for the conversion kick.

See this week's Beacon for the full report on this match.