Monmouth's match away against Blackwood Stars last Saturday (24th January) saw bright sunlight and a keen cross-field wind as both sides tested each other with a kicking game.

This only changed as Monmouth increasingly counter-attacked from the depths of their 22, spurred by the attacking flair of Tabb, this week playing at full back.

On one such occasion this led to hooker Bartlett driving play near to the opposing goal-line and, from the ensuing ruck's play the home defence was stretched right across the field. Fly half Howells squeezed into the corner but too far out for Roberts to add the conversion.

Monmouth kept up the pressure, aided by poor service to the Blackwood fly-half with which he coped remarkably well. In return for a high tackle made in desperation, centre Roberts was able to increase the score to 0-8 with a penalty near the posts.

The next opportunity which came Blackwood's way followed a yellow card for No. 8 Griffiths for a "tip-tackle" followed by a driving maul over some 45m. A penalty brought a drive for the line but when they dropped the ball White cleared the danger with a long touch kick.

Monmouth continued with good line speed to keep Blackwood on the back foot but strangely, when numbers were restored after the sin-bin period, this seemed to raise the Stars' confidence and they drove Monmouth back towards their line. Howells eased the pressure with an excellent kick to touch.

The early stages of the second half seemed like déjà vu as both sides engaged in a fusillade of kicks but Monmouth soon began to run the ball back at Blackwood. A scrum saw Griffiths break right and, when tackled, popped the ball to scrum half White who managed to get the ball to Mobbs-Morgan for him to dot the ball down as he was tackled through the corner flag for his debut try for the 1st XV.

Play now began to break up and as the confidence of the visitors grew the ball was fluently moved along the line. The elusive White making the break for Tabb and Griffiths to link and support and for Howells to finally capitalise upon.

Almost from kick off Mobbs-Morgan ran the ball back into play towards the opposite corner and Howells straightened play up to allow the remainder of the team to spread the ball wide and put flanker Rees over in the left corner. Again the kick was too difficult but the score had earned a bonus point.

Blackwood rallied and would have scored but for a final pass forward and Howells again used his pace and ability to swerve to good advantage to once more carve through the defence for what turned out to be the final score and a 0-28 win.