After the performance and result in the league fixture earlier in the season, West were quietly confident as again they made the trek up the valley to play their cup hoodoo side Forgeside in the semi Final of the Pontypool District Reg Buttress Shield.
From the kick off West showed their intent as Forgeside struggled to get out of their own half and any kicks that did clear were well fielded by the back three of fullback Craig ‘Buff’ Buffin and wingers Jason Morgan and Kaine Jones who returned with interest whether running or kicking.
With the forwards running hard and captain Robbie Baldock directing play the gaps were starting to appear and it was only some last ditch home side tackles which stopped outside centre Alex Willcox on more than one occasion.
However the pressure was constant and after more hard yards by the forwards, Forgeside conceded a penalty and Robbie slotted over the opening score.
This was soon followed by a powerful burst by No 8 Bobby Cundick and then former Forgeside centre Alex Maddocks which took West into the home 22 before the forwards quickly recycled the ball allowing scrumhalf Dion Perry to feed Robbie Baldock who powered through for the opening try which he duly converted.
West continued with the pressure and the tight five of Scotty Leonard, Beppe James, Jonny Coleman, Luke Shelton and Dafydd Thomas really starting to turn the screw at scrum time and in the tight play, with flanker Owain Beard everywhere.
However a lack of discipline saw West play out the final 7 minutes of the 1st half with 13 men and give the home side an opportunity to get back into the game and put some attacks of their together that was only thwarted by a great turnover from Ryan Clark which stopped a likely score.
With the visitors back to a full compliment any thought that a comeback could be on the cards were quickly dispelled as the backrow trio of Daniel Dukey, Chubba and Bobby Cundick continued to cause all kinds of problems for Forgeside both in attack and defence.
Whilst Forgeside may not be the force of yester year, they are still a proud team and responded with a try of their own to show that the game was far from over.
The visitors were stunned into action and a nice break by Buff and young Kaine Jones was stopped in Forgeside's 22, and from the resulting penalty, Robbie Baldock kicked between the sticks to let the home side needing to score twice to win.
West were in no mood to relinquish this pressure and after more phases and a busting run by Richard Prosser, another penalty followed which was again converted by Robbie.
With the game slipping away, the final 5 mins saw Forgeside throw everything at West as they tried to push for a consolation try but a great tackle by Cozzie and a turnover by Deri Simons resulted in another penalty and the end of a good game considering the conditions.
This was West Mon's first ever cup win over Forge Side, who can look forward to a final on a date to be arranged.
# C'mon West/Dewch ymlaen Gorllewin
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