WRU East One

Monmouth 15 Nelson 18

ALTHOUGH it proved close, there was not much to write about really given the opportunities to win that Monmouth squandered against Nelson at the Sportsground on Saturday, much to the frustration of the large crowd attracted by almost perfect conditions, reports PETE WALTERS.

In a game pitching Monmouth’s usually match-winning three-quarters against a much heavier set-piece dominant pack, the hosts largely gifted the result, given the penalties conceded in the eyes of a referee who policed the breakdown area hard.

It was often not possible to tell why, given the absence of any signals as to their cause. But the frequent penalties for dissent were unforgivable, regularly losing the hosts oodles of territory and possession.

From one such early penalty, Monmouth were walked back to the 22 but the crossbar saved them.

The scrum was already starting to creak, but scrum-half Oliver Scrivens' speedy break from behind a retreating pack saw him gain ground before his kick to touch added more.

But Nelson forward power was draining their opponents, driving a Monmouth scrum way back, although better steering might have prevented them veering into touch.

At long last Monmouth gathered themselves and began to demand more of the Nelson defence.

Second-row Shaun Hobbs went near before swift passing saw right wing Arnold Jarvis completing an overlap only for the whistle for a penalty to the hosts.

From the resulting touch on the 5m line, the ball was recycled for centre Morgan Jeffs to score the first try which full-back Matt Tabb converted.

Centre Dan Dunmore next put in a bone-crunching tackle, but this was followed by taking a player in the air which earned Jarvis a yellow card.

Nelson soon benefitted from the extra man, stretching the defence and levelling from way out on the wing.

But Monmouth were achieving parity at this stage, with Tabb able to give them a three-point 10-7 half-time lead from a penalty.

Despite a front-row substitution, Nelson power again drove Monmouth off the ball at a scrum following the recommencement, but were spared another score as the woodwork again intervened.

And then the biggest event of the day – a pothole appeared that could have seriously turned an ankle.

Around ten minutes was taken finding a shovel, sand and turf to make the necessary repair, with much discussion as to how it occurred, before further backchat then brought a kickable penalty which saw Nelson draw level.

Handling was poor due to either cold hands or too-eager passing, which played into Nelson’s hands, as a penalty at a maul took them into a three-point lead.

Monmouth continued to transgress as if to deliberately make things hard for themselves, in addition to both sides' legs tiring and wanting to question refereeing decisions.

And a further attempt at ‘advising’ the official saw Monmouth marched back 20m and Nelson go over from the maul to lead 18-10.

All was not quite done however, and Monmouth showed their pride by battling away.

Persistent pressure on their opponents’ line brought ruck after ruck and when they had drawn in the defence enough, the ball was spread wide to left wing Harry Whelan to clinch a losing bonus point.

Next week though sees Blaenavon away, which should make for an even bigger challenge.