WRU East One

Monmouth 23 Newport HSOB 23

A CHANGE of venue from Caerleon to Monmouth because of devastating flood damage to high-flying Newport HSOB's clubhouse brought them to the Sports Ground on Saturday, where a close-fought game resulted in a draw, clinched by a penalty try to the visitors in the final minutes, much to the disappointment of the hosts, reports PETE WALTERS.

On a very overcast and windy day, a draw was probably a fair result given the relative strength of the Newport pack and some speedy and strong-carrying backs versus the considerable resilience of the home team, alongside equality at the line-out.

The relative over-eagerness of both sides to frustrate attacks did however result in numerous penalties, the first of which the visitors converted to lead 3-0 after 10 minutes.

Newport HSOB initially created early pressure, although a nifty side-step and break by Monmouth second row Shaun Hobbs helped to briefly relieve the pressure.

The strong cross wind was used to good advantage by the visitors and they recovered some 65m with one deep kick, as play went to and fro largely via the boot.

A penalty for obstruction brought relief to the hosts on their own line, but then a charged-down kick out of defence resulted in a quickly-taken tap penalty and the first try for an Old Boys' lead of 8-0.

Prop Tyrese Peters then reversed the pressure with a good solo run, and a driving maul saw a good break by scrum-half Oliver Scriven supported by dummying flanker Kester Mobbs-Morgan.

The ball was recycled and fly-half Lewis Bates carved his way to the line for a seven-point contribution followed soon by a penalty to lift Monmouth 10-8 in front.

A too adventurous attempt to run the ball out of defence saw the ball go perilously loose near Monmouth's line next, but reputations were spared by a penalty against the visitors.

Some sparkling running from full back Dan White was matched by the Newport left wing, who was only just dragged into touch after a long run deep into the left corner.

And eagerness or desperation next brought an offside tackle under the posts which saw the Old Boys take an 11-10 lead into the break.

But straight after the restart, Bates cut a lovely angle for another converted try to regain a 17-11 lead.

A defensive scrum then saw Monmouth's ball squirt out, and only the quickness of Scriven prevented a score, before a knock-on saved them again.

The visitors' scrum and mauls were generating pressure, but a peel around a maul almost saw Hobbs barrel over but for a knock-on.

Penalties, one for back chat, penned Monmouth back, but a long clearance kick lifted the siege before another penalty from Bates made it 20-11.

Newport now repeatedly back-chatted the referee, allowing another three points for 23-11.

But with 15 minutes left, the really hard work now began for Monmouth.

After a penalty for collapsing a maul taken as a scrum, the drive and swift passing to the right brought an unconverted try for 23-16.

And despite eager marauding by the hosts' back row, even though now a man down for a deliberate knock on, a further penalty brought another scrum, the collapse of which levelled the scores at 23-23 through a penalty try.

A hard day at the office but a deserved draw which leaves Monmouth sixth.

Saturday (December 7) sees Monmouth host Dowlais.

Meanwhile, Monmouth Druids and Newport HSOB Expendables were also involved in another close affair, although this time the hosts just prevailed over the city side 17-14 to go fourth in the Dragons League.

Elsewhere, mid-table Usk held off the challenge of East 2 basement battlers Pill Harriers 40-27 at home to go fifth, before Abercarn away this Saturday.

Chepstow also made it three wins in a row beaingt Fleur de Lys 29-22 in East 3, the tries coming from Mike Lear, Frank Crosby, Sam Thomas and Jon O’Neill.

And their 2nds won 61-5 away to Bishopston 2nds, Nasia Nicoll (2), Max Parry, Lewys Jones, Kobe Huntley, Connor Young, Sam Bennett and Tom Absalom crossing..