WRU East One

Bedlinog RFC 15 Monmouth RFC 7

IN a game of considerable effort by both teams, kicking long upfield and brave tackling were to the fore, reports PETE WALTERS

The first half was evenly matched with visitors Monmouth just shading the scores by one converted try to nil from a close-quarter carry over the line by Adam Roberts, who has adjusted to blind side flanker well.

Wing Matt Tabb converted comfortably to see them lead the second-placed hosts 7-0 at the break.

The temperature and greasy but relatively firm conditions ensured plenty of handling errors, complicated from the crowd's point of view by the apparent lack of concern by the referee about offside, milked predominantly by the home defence.

Monmouth, perhaps helped a little by a yellow card being awarded against Bedlinog for a high tackle, gained no advantage by it as the hosts knuckled down to their task.

Both sides missed seemingly easy penalty kicks at goal with just the late-in-the-half try hopefully pointing the way forward, from a visiting supporter point of view at least.

The only question being asked was that of why kicks were placed so deeply that the person catching had ample room to counter attack, when if kicked higher, it would have at least put the defending side under some pressure.

Lewis Bates at fly-half did, however, on one occasion put in an excellent 45-metre defensive clearance to touch.

The second half started differently. Whereas Monmouth had held their own in the set pieces earlier, some intelligent substitutions by Bedlinog began to change the face of the game.

The visitors had a bench limited in numbers and were soon being trundled backwards in scrummages, often for metres at a time.

Their line-out, however, was largely good, as was their defence of driving mauls, save for one emanating from a line-out on their right and an irrepressible drive which levelled the scores just 10 minutes into the second half.

They were now very much on the back foot though, as a missed tackle brought a deep break, followed by another missed effort five minutes later in the centre that brought a second try for Bedlinog and a 12-7 lead for the hosts, the conversion this time, being sliced.

And from the restart a strong carry from the hosts' pack made good ground and despite numerous defensive rucks a penalty was conceded which brought the score to 15-7.

A short icy rain shower did not help things, but Monmouth’s task was one of dogged defence for the final quarter with no scores either way.

A losing bonus point would have been nice though, because Bedlinog were not quite the higher-table team one might have feared having beaten them at home in early November.

This Saturday (February 1) is just as challenging though: home to Abertillery Blaenau Gwent, the current league leaders, on the Sportsground.

Elsewhere, mid-table Usk were downed 46-15 by WRU 2 East leaders Blackwood on Islwyn High School’s 3G pitch, improving after the break when trailing 34-3 to share the second period 12 apiece.

Chepstow also missed out 26-15 at home to mid-table Nantyglo in East 3, which saw them slip to fourth.

Usk visit Cwmbran this Saturday, while Chepstow visit New Panteg.