MONMOUTHSHIRE emerged victorious 22-17 when they were welcomed to the King’s Head Ground by Cwmbran on Saturday, writes Ray Ruddick.

The entertaining fixture raised £381 for three charities chosen by the Chair of Pontypool Community Council – Pancreatic Cancer, All Creatures Great and Small and Tafarn Newydd.

Cwmbran kicked off playing down the slope and a Monmouthshire error near their line when they spilled the ball trying to run out of danger saw Liam Davies pounce for an unconverted try to put the home side into an early 5-0 lead.

Soon after some concerted pressure by the county resulted in a try by flanker Chris Kelly to level things up.

The Crows responded well and scored a try under the posts through their scrum half Guy Elliott, converted by outside half Dai Thomas.

An impressive sprint up the left flank by replacement Jonathan Davies out-ran the cover defence and he scored in the corner and outside half Nathan Davies slotted an impressive conversion to bring the scores level 12-12 at the interval.

Soon after the restart, Cwmbran went on the attack and the ball was moved left for wing Aaron James to cross in the corner for an unconverted try.

Back came the visitors and a good floating pass in the home 22 put in full back Michael Williams in the left corner for well-worked try.

The conversion was missed meaning the scores stayed level but it was the county who had the final say when having taken play deep into the Cwmbran 22, the ball went right and wing Karl Fallon squeezed over in the corner for the winning score.

After the game, county caps were awarded to Karl Fallon, Owen Howells and Michael Vaughan and county ties presented to Kristian Reynolds, Connor Miles and Adrian Greening.

Cwmbran squad used: D Powell, A James, M Needs, C Coia, N Bryant, M Vann, G Elliott, E Roberts, L Davies, D Thomas, J Hinnem, M Davies, B Evans, K Jenkins, D Goode, T Lloyd, J Roberts, M Lang, R Davies, A Wilson, G Roberts, R Jones, S Cox and K Mason.

Monmouthshire: Michael Williams (Abertillery/Blaenau Gwent), Karl Fallon (Blackwood Stars), Michael Vaughan, Mitch Williams (Hartridge), Nathan Touhig (Garndiffaith), Nathan Davies (Garndiffaith), Connor Miles (Abertillery/Blaenau Gwent), Owen Howells (Garndiffaith), Adam Jones (Garndiffaith), Kristian Reynolds (Brynmawr), Jamie Noble (Blaenavon) (captain), Adrian Greening (Pontllanfraith), Chris Kelly (Blackwood Stars), Callum Davies (Blaenavon), Chudd Meyrick (Pontllanfraith). Also played Scott Pitt (Brynithel), Lewys Lippiatt (Bargoed), Chris Price, Steffan Jones (Pontypool United), Kirk Lewis (Hartridge) and Lee Morgan (Beaufort).

Referee: Stuart Kibble (Cardiff)