Results

Not really, but we did win 15-10 with a last minute try sealing a deserved victory. Great effort by the boys, particularly the pack that battled manfully against bigger opposition. Grovesie's try was the pick of the three scores. First league win of the season resulted in mucho celebrations in the club.

5th December 09 - Unlucky West Mon
we lost 15-7 DJ scored the try Dillwyn Lear scored the conversion. Extremely wet difficult conditions – we had a bare 15 with no subs …. So guys put in an enormous effort and were very unlucky to come away without any points as we were camped on there try line for long periods in both halves. In the end they scored a try off a rolling maul from about 25yards out to get the win

Superb first half display by the forwards saw West Mon totally dominant in the scrum and lineout, often taking ball against the head. Unfortunately the West Mon backs kicked away too much good possession and made some poor tactical kicking options.(or so I was told)

Captain DJ Winter scoring excellent try underneath the posts after some good work by the forwards , conversion by D Lear. For all there effort West Mon turned around just 10 – 5 up at the half way stage.

The second half was more honours even, with Hartridge scoring just after the kickoff. Mark Groves quickly responded with a run from inside his own half supported by several team mates.

West Mon then had two certain tries disallowed, one where the ref was unsighted and the other due to questionable foot in touch by the wing.

West Mon managed to hang on with a great defence on their own line for nearly ten minutes during which time Hartridge continued to pressurise only to spill the ball in tackles at the last moment.

West Mon RFC defeat Monmouth by 29pts to 15 in a Pontypool and District League fixture

West Mon RFC created a small piece of history when it defeated its illustrious opponents from the top of the valley for the first occasion since its formation in 1949.

The win was no more than the visitors deserved and was a reward for the hard work that the players have put in during the pre season training sessions under the guidance of coaches Tony Watkins and Mark Jones supported by Matthew Touhig.

West Mon was leading by seven points to five at half time thanks to a try by inspirational hooker and captain Mark Meadows converted by Gavin Trollope but still found themselves trailing with ten minutes to go.

However a huge forward effort set up a terrific finale and resulted in the visitors securing victory through late tries from wing Kieran Mogford and DJ Winter.

Pick of the three quarters was Gareth Mortar while second row David Starmore was the games outstanding forward.

Match Reporter :- Gary Crewe

Pictures : BC Priddle

A depleted West Mon started the New Year in fine style with a convincing win against the Bailey Park outfit, and in so doing so reversed an earlier season defeat.

Three tries were scored by outstanding centre Mark Groves, who continues
to look an outstanding prospect in the centre position.

Fellow centre Kieran Mogford also crossed the try line while club stalwart
Matthew Touhig celebrated the birth of his daughter with the final try.
Two conversions from left wing Cieron Jayne completed the scoring for
West Mon.
Special mention must be made to Alex Watkins who enjoyed a splendid
afternoon in the second row position, well supported by No 8 Nathan Jones.

Prior to this season's victory, the last occasion that the Old Boys beat Abergavenny Quins was reported in the Free Press on 6th December 1963 when West Mon won by 11 points to 9 in the first round of the Ivor Jones Cup. Tries were scored by Mostyn Sadler, Dai Gillard with a conversion by John Nash and John Griffiths kicking a penalty goal.

West Mon continued its encouraging start to the season by winning this keenly contested local derby, and at the same time managing to reverse a defeat from the first day of the campaign.

A feature of the game was the forward play of the visitors, who scrummaged strongly throughout and also won plenty of lineout ball through veteran second row Steve Roynon.

D J Winter and John MacMillan scored first half tries, with a further unconverted score coming from the visitors outstanding fullback Richard Lewis.

Despite this, West Mon was still staring defeat in the face, when a last minute charge down by skipper Mark Meadows led to scrum half Lee Bradbury crossing for the winning try.

A very satisfying victory against gallant opponents suggests that the West Mon policy of blending youth and experience is starting to pay dividends.

Ivor Jones Cup Match - Report by local sports pundit Gary Crewe

West Mon Pilcs RFC 13pts Abersychan RFC 13pts

Despite the scores being tied, West Mon crashed out of this year's Ivor Jones Cup due to being outcored in the try stakes by two tries to one.

A large crowd at the Skew Fields enjoyed an enthralling match with the forward orientated game of the visitors contracting greatly with that of the home side, that tried to move the ball at every opportunity.

West Mon started well and were ahead by six points to three after twenty minutes of play, thanks to two penalty goals by centre Shane Guest.

However, this was the signal for Abersychan to lay seige to the home try line, and following several five yard scrums, they were rewarded with two unconverted tries in quick succession.

The home side responded in fine style and good work by wing Lee Reed and Gareth Jones saw prop D J Winter cross for a try that was converted by Guest.

The second half saw West Mon take control but depite long periods of pressure, were unable to get the try that their play deserved.

For West Mon, Gavin Trollope showed much promise at fly half with several neat breaks, while Ryan Phillips and Adam Banford contine to impress.

Credit however, must go to the Abersychan side and particularly the visitors front five, whose scrummaging ensured their sides passage into the semi final of the cup.