Fixture

Monmouth made the long journey west to Libanus for both teams last SWALEC league game of the season. Both teams were safe from relegation and could not challenge for promotion; you could therefore excuse a neutral thinking that this would be a tepid game with both teams going through the motions to see out the end of the season.

This certainly was not the case and the game ended up being a cracker.

Monmouth kicked off the game and from this kick off captain Mathew Dix made an uncharacteristic mistake and knocked the ball on. Monmouth capitalised from this and scored under the posts 7 nil to Monmouth after 1 minute.

From the kick off outside half Nathan Hughes then failed to kick the ball ten meters and Monmouth played advantage and scored another try; 14 nil to Monmouth after just 5 minutes. A neutral would have thought that the Stars had just got off the bus and not Monmouth and when Monmouth further extended their lead to 17 nil with 10 minutes gone even the die hard Stars supporters were expecting the worse.

Captain Mathew Dix then rallied the players and the stars forwards started to stir. From a line out a driving maul was formed and the Stars crashed over for a well converted try. 17-7 to Monmouth. The Stars front row started to dominate and from a driving scrum very near Monmouth’s line a Monmouth player kicked the ball out of the scrum preventing a certain try and the ref correctly awarded a penalty try. 17-14 to the Stars. Monmouth were awarded another penalty to make the score 20-14 at half time.

The stars were now playing downhill realising that after such a ropey start a win could be on the cards especially as the forwards were dominating the set pieces. Outside half Nathan Hughes and Kasey Hurleys tactical kicking was spot on keeping the Stars forwards moving forward at every opportunity. Further tries were scored by both sides in a frantic period and with the score at 39-33 and with 10 minutes to go it looked as if the stars were going to just fail. Then a Monmouth player was yellow carded and this gave the Stars forwards hope and from a number of driving mauls they managed to score in the corner for an unconverted try.

The score was 39-38 to Monmouth but the Stars did not give up and was determined to win the game. From a fantastic move winger Jamie Kingston was put clear to run 30 metres unopposed to score which ended up being the last try of the game. Nathan Hughes converted the try to bring his points tally for the season to 98. Final score 45-39 to the Stars.

What a game this was the Stars showed huge commitment to get back into the game. The backs defended well against a very good Monmouth back line and Kieran Woods and Martin Rush both had to leave the field with nasty concussions. Adam Perry did a good job on the Monmouth scrum half who was very busy throughout the game. Jamie Kingston took his try brilliantly at the end to win the game. But credit must go the Stars forwards and especially the front row Tom Watkins, Ryan Hughes and Ashley Williams (on permit from Pont) together with replacement Ryan Phillips who totally dominated their opposite numbers. The back 5 forwards were as usual very productive and replacement Mike Preece brought further impedance into the game when he came on as a replacement at a vital time.

Nathan Hughes was however voted man of the match for his astute tactical decisions made throughout the game.

The Stars scorers were: Martyn Gower, Ross Martin, Matthew Dix, Nathan Richards x 2 and Jamie Kingston together with a penalty try

The final game for the Stars is the Ben Francis Bowl cup final against Abergavenny on 17 May at Usk KO 19:00.

Stars together stronger.