WRU East One

Pontypool United 16 Monmouth 40

A TRIP to Pontypool United for the first Division 1 East League away game of the season was the treat on Saturday, played in pleasant Autumnal weather and on a good surface despite recent rain, reports PETE WALTERS.

They were keen to make up for their close loss when Abergavenny visited Monmouth some three weeks ago now, their last game due to a rearranged fixture.

Monmouth were firing on all cylinders from the start and just five minutes in fly-half Dan White broke a tackle and scored after two ruck recyclings, with wing Matt Tabb adding the extras.

The visitors were flying and captain Logan Woskett was on hand to complete a move almost untouched which Tabb added to for a 14-point lead before the end of the first quarter.

Monmouth’s eagerness meant it was 22 minutes in before the hosts meaningfully entered their half.

But then United's left wing dazzled all before him to score from distance and at pace to ensure the conversion was an easy one (14-7).

And soon Monmouth were defending as if their lives depended upon it.

But resist they did, turning the ball over after several drives for the line, with centre Lewis Bates using his booming boot to kick Monmouth 70m upfield for a line-out.

Pontypool’s other strength was the speed with which they blitzed the Monmouth defence, helped in this phase by some missed tackles and losing their shape.

One such offside allowed the hosts to claw back three points (14-10), before Bates’ mighty boot failed him with his restart going direct to touch.

The hosts won the scrum and in no time were awarded a high tackle penalty to narrow the gap to 14-13, concluding a stirring first half where some errors and strong play by United levelled things up after Monmouth’s early dominance.

A poor pass direct to touch augured ill for the visitors after the restart, as did a direct punt from deep.

And Pontypool gained territory with a long kick out from defence, gaining a penalty following a line-out and a 16-14 lead.

Individuals stood up for the visitors though, second row Hobbs carrying well, White linking and probing to his usual standard, Dan Dunmore a brave pillar in defence, and Bates regularly finding gaps and yardage.

The latter did so when he was debatably stopped short of the line, but made amends soon after by regaining a 21-16 lead.

Right wing Arnold Jarvis was not to be outdone, with Pontypool saved only by a marginal foot in touch by the greyhound-like speedster.

Monmouth were kicking deep and following up fast now, catching defenders behind the advantage line.

White next gained possession and jinked around several, and with support from flanker Mobbs Morgan and Bates, set up a deserved try for Tabb (28-16).

From the restart quick passing out to Jarvis then saw him run 55m untouched to skin the opposite defence with 15 minutes to play.

Tabb who had been reliable thus far found this conversion beyond him from near touch (33-16), but Monmouth soon kicked deep, catching defenders in possession who conceded a penalty.

And from touch in the right corner, Dunmore cut through for a 40-16 final score and a bonus point, Tabb having rounded off the score with the conversion.

With a bye for Monmouth in the WRU One Cup, they next entertain Nelson on Saturday, October 12, at the Sportsground.

Elsewhere, Usk lost 31-7 at Blaina in E2, while Chepstow fell 24-5 at home to Newport Sacarens in E3.

Monmouth School 1st XV also marched on with a 33-25 second round National Cup win at Sir Thomas Rich's in Gloucester, with Bromsgrove away next this Saturday (October 5) in the Daily Mail Cup

Chepstow also visit Oakdale in the WRU 3 Cup this weekend.