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After last week’s excellent Ivor Jones Cup win over Talywain Athletic by 25pts to 10, the home side quite rightly went into this game with a certain amount of confidence. Indeed the opening 15 minutes suggested that West Mon would be in for another successful afternoon as they stormed into a 12 point lead through tries by the flying Bobby Cundick and the galloping Robert Groves after impressive approach work by captain Luke Shelton and flanker Joel Evans.

With Robby Baldock back in the no10 shirt and controlling play with his fellow half back partner JR Reed, and centre Dion Perry making several telling breaks, more scores seemed inevitable.

However a resilient Malpas weathered the early storm and started to put together some three-quarter movements of their own, one of which resulted in a converted try by their impressive fullback. Indeed it was only last ditch tackling by threequarters Tai Watkins, Craig Buffin and Wes Bodenham which stopped further scores for the visitors and to leave the home side with a 12-7 interval lead.

The start of the second period saw West Mon guilty of several unforced errors and the visitors took full advantage of this through two neatly taken penalty goals. With 15 minutes to go Malpas were sensing an unlikely victory with the homeside desperately in need of a lift.

This duly came in the shape of Dai “trigger” Smith who was quite outstanding throughout the game and quite rightly was voted man of the match.

Tries followed in quick succession from Sam Cook and Robby Taylor, whilst the biggest cheer of the afternoon went to wing Jason Morgan on his first touchdown for the club. Two conversions by second half sub Casey Roomus, completed the scoring and a hard fought victory.

Whilst not a classic, the homeside deserve praise for the way they finished the game with subs Duane Gardner, Ryan Clark and Michael Harvey part of an "impact" bench, whilst a special mention should also go to 19 year old prop Ellis Williams for his contribution

Five points and a comfortable mid table position suggests a relatively content Christmas for the coaches.

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