Beautiful fresh Spring day saw Monmouth take on New Haven in Thompson Park. New Haven arrived keen and with good numbers. Monmouth Coach Pat Moroney was going up against his former team mate at Old Blue Pete Pereira.
Monmouth had a stiff wind at their backs in the first half but kept ball in hand and scored two quick tries from Tim Crane and Nick Lynch before New Haven got their hands on the ball, both tries where converted by Joe Lucarelli.
Some poor discipline at the breakdown by Monmouth's forwards gave New Haven a chance to push the ball into the corner and they scored an unconverted driven try form a lineout. Some more good phase play with good pick and drives led to a New Haven try through the center that was converted.
Then it was New Haven that demonstrated poor discipline and following a penalty awarded on the 22 Rob Morello took a quick tap and scored under the posts leaving an easy conversion for Joe. Joe then dotted down after a powerful run around a scrambling defense.
Unfortunately Monmouth allowed NH to finish the half on a high with a converted try on 40 minutes to leave the halftime score 26-19.
Monmouth looked less sharp after the break and let in another unconverted try to push it to a two point game but then a thrilling try for wing Alizar Zorojew following a break by Eric Daneman which was again converted by Joe. New Haven were still fighting hard supported by fresh legs off the bench and scored another unconverted try. With only five minutes left Joe Lucarelli again powered around the defense for a try he converted. On 80 minutes the still pressing New Haven scored a converted try but referee Scott Reilly then brought the game to a close.
Monmouth will have to look at some of the poor discipline at critical moments plus their inability to prevent the attacks through the fringes but overall will be happy with the progress made this spring. Next up Albany next Saturday.
A CHARITY rugby match in memory of a Monmouth soldier killed in Afghanistan almost two years ago is set to take place this weekend.
Rifleman Jamie Gunn, of Drybridge Street, Monmouth, died while on duty with 1st Battalion, The Rifles, in the Gereshk District of Helmand Province on February 25, 2009.
Now his family are organising a rugby match between Monmouth RFC and 1st Battalion The Rifles, at Chippenham Sports Ground in Monmouth on Saturday.
Rifleman Gunn's mother, Janet Gunn said: "It's hard to believe it's nearly two years since my son was killed by an IED in Afghanistan. In many ways, it seems a lifetime ago, but it also feels like it was yesterday. Our lives changed completely and forever when he went.
There will be collections for the ABF – The Soldiers Charity, and The Rifles Charity. Kick off is 12.30pm.