WITH an early kick-off time to ensure those who wished could view the Scotland v Wales game, a modest crowd was still on hand to see a game of two relatively distinct halves, reports PETE WALTERS.

Initial signs were worrying with the power and pace with which Dowlais drove an early maul.

Monmouth had their early chances of points too, choosing though to kick penalties to the corner rather than take the easier kickable points, only to be frustrated by Dowlais' strong defence.

But an already very different first half script was becoming very apparent with the strong ball-carrying Dowlais forwards pounding away in a very orchestrated manner, in addition to a ‘quick off their marks’ defence which allowed the visitors little room to breath, let alone attack.

Monmouth tackled hard, too, causing both sides to rely on long kicks behind opposition defences.

But the pressure from the hosts saw them clock up three first-half tries, one of which was converted, before Monmouth were to gratefully notch up a second penalty as the half-time whistle approached to narrow the gap slightly to 17-6.

The second half was different, despite Dowlais starting with a penalty for not rolling away in the tackle to make it 20-6 with 37 minutes to play.

As Dowlais tried to pound away, their seemingly older pack began going down injured more obviously, which perhaps said something about their fitness.

True they made good use of their rolling substitutes, but Monmouth were able to match them in the defensive stakes and second row Logan Woskett and hooker Joe Christopher combined well again in the line-out duties.

When Dowlais kicked by way of respite, the visiting backs ran the ball back at them over large distances.

And when such a response neared the home line the pressure proved too much, with right wing Harry Whelan there in support of centre Morgan Jeffs, who had punched a hole in the defence, to take Monmouth to 20-13 following Tabb’s conversion.

The remaining 30 minutes brought continued excitement, Monmouth finding the room and energy to attack more, but the old heads against them knowing how to tie things up by slowing matters down, whilst also keeping their physio on double time.

Monmouth did not always help themselves though, because trying to bulldoze through a defence like Dowlais was perhaps naive, when they needed to be stretched left and right exploiting any gaps.

The tension was great and Dowlais to their credit dug in again and again with the oldest head on the field, if his lack of hair was anything to go by, holding his forwards together on many crucial occasions.

With time running out, the hosts kicked for a touch that their supporters hoped would end the game, but wing Richard Jones jumped high to knock the ball back into play.

If it had gone cleanly to hand, a draw was still a strong possibility, but sadly not, and Monmouth had to settle for a losing bonus point, and not for the first time this season!

With Wales v England holding centre stage this weekend, Monmouth next look forward to hosting Senghenydd, who they beat away recently, at the Sportsground on Saturday, March 22.

The same afternoon, Usk visit Abercarn and Chepstow travel to Machen, while Monmouth Druids play Caldicot 2nds away.