Cup holders one step away from the final (From Free Press Series)

Cup holders one step away from the final

Monmouthshire 19 Breconshire 14

A SIZEABLE crowd at Brecon saw Welsh Counties Cup holders Monmouthshire overcome a spirited opposition in a three tries to two victory.

The Monmouthshire pack dominated throughout and had a couple of chances been taken, the margin of victory would have been more comfortable.

Front rowers Tony Jayne, Gareth Williams and Darren Morgan made mincemeat of their opposite numbers, taking three strikes against the head.

From one such steal, inside half Tyrone Mahoney kicked into the corner and winger Gareth Hassel touched down. Full back Spencer Clease kicked the extras from wide out.

Brecon hit back when their dangerous backs latched on to a loose pass and scored an interception try. However, the visitors reasserted their advantage when number eight Charlie Heaven went over following good work by Steve Coles and Lee Meredith.

In the second half, Monmouthshire's lineout improved with Dai Rogers and Charlie Heaven winning good quality ball for stand-off Mike Hurn to release his backs Craig Edwards, Lee Davies and Carl Morgan.

Following a good break by flanker Gareth McCarthy, captain Tyrone Mahoney powered his way over to make the score 19-7.

Brecon made the most of a sin-binning to reduce the deficit but the visitors deserved their victory.