Fixture

Oakdale welcomed Monmouthshire County to the Recreation Ground as part of the club’s centenary celebrations, writes Ray Ruddick.  A sizable crowd enjoyed some entertaining, open rugby on a fine and dry but chilly Wednesday evening with the home side claiming six of the eleven tries scored.

Oakdale kicked off defending the changing rooms end of the ground.  The early exchanges were even and then, in the tenth minute, from a scrum near the Oakdale goal line, Monmouthshire scrum half Tom Edwards picked up and dived over for a try ten metres in from the left corner and he duly converted (0-7).  Three minutes later Oakdale replied with a try by centre David James, converted by outside half and captain Simon Veall (7-7).  Midway through the first period the County re-took the lead through a try by prop Morgan Davies, who crashed over 15 metres in from the left corner.  Tom Edwards was on target with his conversion (7-14).

On the half hour the home side hit back with a try in the left corner by flanker Sam Skyrme but the conversion attempt went wide (12-14).  Then on the stroke on half time visiting No 8 Tom Hancock made a great run and scored a try under the posts.  Tom Edwards added the extras for a half time score of Oakdale 12 Monmouthshire 21.

In the second minute of the second half Oakdale reduced the arrears with a try under the posts by replacement Morgan Thomas, converted by Simon Veall ((19-21).  After an hour’s play, Monmouthshire were testing the Oakdale defence and replacement hooker Roller Dimmick charged over for a try near the right corner.  This score was converted by Kurtis Haile (19-28).  The hosts then hit back three minutes later with a try by David James, his second, but the conversion failed (24-28).

In the 67^th minute the home side went in front for the first time when No 8 Trevor James crossed for a try in the right corner, converted by Simon Veall with a fine kick (31-28).  Eight minutes from time Monmouthshire regained the lead thanks to an unconverted try near the left corner by centre Ieuan-Rhys Beal (31-33).  However, Oakdale had the final say when, in the 77^th minute, they took a tap penalty inside the County’s 22 and the impressive David James powered over for a try near the posts which Simon Veall converted.  Final score – Oakdale 38 Monmouthshire 33.  Well done to all the players who contributed to a very enjoyable match, played in the right spirit – a fitting occasion to help Oakdale celebrate their 100^th birthday.

The man-of-the-match award went to Oakdale centre David James for his hat trick of tries.  After the match, a Monmouthshire cap was presented to Lewys Lippiett and county ties to Dan Scott, Mark Wheeler, Kirk Lewis, Alex Farmer and Ieuan-Rhys Beal.

Oakdale: Shane Kerby, Harry Price, David James, Sam Dixon, Josh Tedstone, Simon Veall (captain), Dan Prosser, Jason Jones, Morgan Yemm, Scott Hoskins, Tom Collier, Ieuan Veall, Sam Skyrme, Kier Evans and Trevor James.  Replacements (all played): Luke Dunn, Liam Hickman, Morgan Thomas and Ben Parcell.

Oakdale scorers: Tries by David James (3), Sam Skyrme, Morgan Thomas and Trevor James. Conversions by Simon Veall (4).

Monmouthshire: Dan White (Monmouth), Kurtis Haile (Abertillery Blaenau Gwent), Stefan Morgan (Newport Saracens), Ieuan Rhys Beal (Pontllanfraith), Carl Fallon (St Julian’s), Alex Farmer (Garndiffaith), Tom Edwards (Newbridge), Dan Scott (Pontypool United), Lewys Lippiett (Pontllanfraith), Morgan Davies (Beaufort), Stephen Osborne (Abertysswg), Mark Wheeler (Usk), Kirk Lewis (Newport Saracens), Nathan Meyrick (Pontllanfraith) and Tom Hancock (Hollybush). Replacements (all played): Dex Lewis (Newport Saracens), Jon Daniels (Blaina), Steve Drummond (Croesyceiliog), Morgan Winstone (Pontypool United), Lloyd Paget (Blackwood Stars), Owain Dumelow (Abercarn), Roller Dimmick (Fleur de Lys), Dean Bartlett (Monmouth), Craig Meredith (Brynithel) and Jack Legge (Cwmbran).

Monmouthshire scorers: Tries by Tom Edwards, Morgan Davies, Tom Hancock, Roller Dimmick and Ieuan-Rhys Beal. Conversions by Tom Edwards (3) and Kurtis Haile.

Referee: Mr Lee Gibbs (Nantgarw)