CRICKHOWELL had to battle atrocious conditions at their Parc Broyd home before overcoming West Mon 25-22 in this WRU Division 3 East C clash.

The constant heavy rain and gloomy conditions hampered the home side’s style of open-running rugby. Nevertheless, they startled their long-time rivals by beginning this game as they did their last with a brace of quick-fire tries from the ever-reliable Harry Summers and Connor Stephens with Tom Keane converting Summers’ effort.

West Mon are no pushover, however, and their strong scrummaging and forward power dominated the scoring for the remainder of the first half. They struck back firstly with a penalty when Crick’ failed to release the ball and then a brace of tries of their own, one converted, leaving them in the lead by three points at the break.

Shortly after play resumed Stephens gained his second try, this time in the corner, with Keane adding a penalty later on. West Mon continued their onslaught and scored another converted try to regain the lead. It was left to the on-permit Will Hargreaves to push the home team ahead with a further try. The last 20 minutes was a credit to Crick’s dogged defensive efforts with wave after wave of the visitors’ forwards being repulsed, often within inches of the line.

Coach Gareth Bowen was full of praise for his team’s efforts saying: “What an effort today against a much heavier pack in conditions that suited their style of play. We believed we could get a result and the defence at the end of the game was amazing. An epic effort.”

There are no league games scheduled until the New Year when Crickhowell host second placed Trinant RFC on January 5. There will, however, be the traditional in-club Boxing Day match at Parc Broyd with the action starting round about midday.

Crickhowell are now in fifth place in the league, on 20 points, just two behind Brynithel. Runaway leaders Newport Saracens have 40 points.