Fixture

Stars set off early for the game against Monmouth. An early KO was arranged so players and supporters could watch the Wales v Auz game later in the day. A number of players were looking a wee bit grey on the 45 minute coach ride but soon got rid of the cobwebs during the warm ups before the game.

Stars started well from the KO and had the lions share of territory and possession for the first 20 minutes and probably for most of the game. From a maul on Monmouth 22 meter line captain Matty Dix noticed the blind side was exposed; he  broke from the maul and ran down the wing unopposed scoring a great captains try in the corner. The try was unconverted. 5 nil to Stars.

Within 10 minutes Monmouth were awarded a penalty which was converted. 5-3 to the Stars. Against the run of play and after a few Stars errors Monmouth kicked on a loose ball and won the foot race to score an unconverted try. 10-10 at half time.

Dan Evans had to leave the field at half time due to a mysterious bug. Martin Rush showed great team spirit by taken over at outside half and gave another committed performance. Stars carried on taking the game to Monmouth and Tom Burris finished off a well worked try and scored in the corner. The try was unconverted leaving the score 10-10. The Stars front row started to tire and it was decided to bring on Tom Hamer to strengthen the scrum and this he did. Unfortunately Tom only lasted 5 minutes because he had to leave the field with a nasty cut; he was promptly taken to hospital by Lloyd Hambridge. The cut received 11 stitches. The club would like to wish Tom a speedy recovery.

A knackered Marc Bolton willingly went back on the pitch to replace Tom even though he had already given 110% for 50 minutes. After about 20 minutes the Stars had a kickable penalty but unfortunately Martin Rush was being treated for cramp and there was no one else available to kick the penalty so the captain decided to take the line out on Monmouth 5 meter line; some people said that this was a Chris Robshaw moment but to be fair the Stars captain had little options available. The Stars lost the line out (this was a rare occurrence as the Stars won most of their line outs throughout the game) and Monmouth cleared their line.

It was backs to the wall job in the last 10 minutes because Martin Rush had to leave the field due to injury and scrum half Adam Perry had to go to outside half. Despite the Stars being exposed they held on and showed huge commitment to stop Monmouth scoring. A fantastic performance from the Stars pack especially Marc Williams at number 8 also full back Kieron Woods had a good performance in his first game for the Stars and on this performance there will be many more to come. The man of the match went to scrum half Adam Perry for his commitment in defense and attack. This was awarded before he went to outside half though!!

The match finished 10-10 and the Stars earned their first points of the season. 

Huge thanks goes to the boys for turning up early on this special day for Welsh sport.

This team spirit needs to be taken into our next game in the SWALEC Bowl cup against New Tredegar.

Come on the Stars