Bad day at the office for Monmouth (From Free Press Series)

Bad day at the office for Monmouth

MONMOUTH RFC suffered a humiliating 81-12 defeat to Tredegar Ironsides in Saturday's Division Four East clash.

While there seemed to be a good blend of experience and flair in the Monmouth side it was soon to be proved that there was also a lack of skill, determination and fitness.

Various substitutions balanced things up a fraction by the end, but the game was long gone by half-time and maybe even as early as 15 minutes into the game when the score stood at 17-0 following three impressive tries from Tredegar.

Monmouth rarely made serious tackles and when they had the ball were prone to spill it in contact and at least one forward was having to walk about after only ten minutes.

Runs were either unsupported and turned over, or moves were hurried and prone to error resulting in poor kicks to touch or scrums being awarded against them.

Ben Berry after an uncharacteristically error-ridden first five minutes at full back played his heart out once moved to fly-half.

And it was Berry who obtained the first score with a typically nippy break and run right to the opponents' line for a try which he also converted.

But instead of this being the start of a comeback, it only stirred the Irons into further action, hitting back with another try of their own on the 30 minute mark to widen the gap to 29-7 and another try made it 36-7 at the break.

Tredegar were to score again with a converted try before Monmouth, through wingman Brace, squeezed in at the corner for an unconverted try.

Tredegar picked their moments to run in a further six tries as they repeatedly ran Monmouth ragged.

The dressing room was a very subdued place, save for some stern words needed to try to lift the spirits for the league campaign which lies ahead.

Chepstow are due at Monmouth next week but given the number of injuries to the club's front five forwards, it is possible the game will need to be postponed.

For the fit players it is back to the training fields to find the necessary fitness levels and the determination to defend as they displayed only a matter of weeks ago against Newport HSOB.