WRU East One

Monmouth RFC 25 Abertillery Blaenau Gwent 20

STILL smarting from their home loss to Monmouth last November, league leaders Abertillery Blaenau Gwent started with the same vigour, but employed different tactics, reports PETE WALTERS.

This time, when awarded penalties for Monmouth transgressions under intense early pressure, instead of kicking for the corner to set up mauls, they kicked for goal as a more certain and rewarding ploy.

And within ten minutes the rather shell-shocked hosts were pondering their fate, as the heavier Aber forwards were driving them back in the scrums and they trailed 6-0, having already used their bench for a blood injury to one of their eager back row.

Monmouth gathered themselves though and after a lengthy carry by flanker Kester Mobbs-Morgan, they got on the board from the boot of wing Matt Tabb following a penalty at the ruck.

But from a fair catch, Monmouth then knocked on from a tapped kick giving Aber BG the chance to pound their line.

The subsequent move went left and a clever switch in midfield brought a seven-point try for 13-3.

Aided by a succession of penalties,Monmouth moved upfield and then – good fortune!

A kick for a corner touch was deftly saved, but immediately put the visitors under pressure as Monmouth followed up fast.

And having won the loose ball, fly-half Lewis Bates chipped over for captain Logan Woskett to touch down, although the conversion proved too far out for Tabb.

Half-time with the score 13-8 to the visitors brought a needed rest for the forwards and some encouragement for the second half.

A lively restart from the hosts was countered by their scrum and put in being shoved backwards up the slope, and Monmouth were soon having to defend repeatedly on their line.

But when they were pushed over at a 5m scrum, the resultant 5m scrummage was defended stoutly, allowing Bates to put in an immense clearance kick to halfway.

Monmouth's try scorers are all smiles after toppling top-of-the-table Abertillery to complete the double over their opponents. Photo: Gareth Roberts
Monmouth's try scorers are all smiles after toppling top-of-the-table Abertillery BG to complete the double over their opponents. Photo: Gareth Roberts (Gareth Roberts)

No 8 Ollie Park, who had a superb game and proved a stand out player alongside scrum-half Ollie Scriven, then made a great and lengthy break.

Aber BG intercepted in defence but luckily were adjudged off-side.

Tabb sliced the chance to narrow the deficit but soon made amends with a break down the right wing.

And two passes later Scriven infield went over for a converted try, taking Monmouth into a 15-13 lead with 20 minutes to play.

The visitors fought back requiring intense defence but it was Park again who led the return with a run where he evaded three successive tacklers.

Matt Tabb passes inside for Ollie Scriven's first try
Matt Tabb passes inside for Ollie Scriven's first try. Photo: Gareth Roberts (Gareth Roberts)

And following this, Scriven intensified the pressure with a try near the posts with Tabb comfortably adding the extra points.

Olli Scriven crosses for the first of his two tries
Ollie Scriven crosses for the first of his two tries. Photo: Gareth Roberts (Gareth Roberts)

At 22-13 and with nine minutes to play, defence was now key for Monmouth as the league leaders hammered away at the home line.

And Aber eventually succeeded, reducing the score to 22-20 with an overlap try on the left, which set up an incredibly tense finale.

But relief came in the form of play moving near the Aber BG line and Bates snatching a drop goal to seal the win 25-20, which saw the visitors replaced in top spot by Bedlinog whilst Monmouth rose to fifth.

Senghenydd away on Saturday, February 15, are next, who are just a point behind Monmouth and defend their home patch well.

Elsewhere, Usk lost 32-22 in a mid-table E2 battle at Cwmbran, while Chepstow were downed 28-13 at New Panteg in E3.

Usk host Risca on February 15, while Chepstow host Abertysswg.