AFTER winning only one of their first 13 games, Monmouth recorded their second win in a fortnight against joint league leaders St Peters on Saturday, reviving their hopes of avoiding relegation.

In recent weeks, Mon-mouth's performances have been characterised by undeserved reverses - but only time will tell if this unexpected five-try triumph over a side who scored 89 points the previous weekend could prove too late.

Monmouth began the game as if their very lives depended upon it and within five minutes after successive rucks the Rocks' defence was stretched enough for scrum half Gareth Morgan to dart over with Croudace converting a fine kick for a 7-0 lead.

The startled visitors concentrated on getting back to basics but their biggest ally at this time was the strong wind, which was playing in their favour.

Deep punts drove Monmouth back time and time again but the defence held firm until finally the referee penalised an obstruction which the visitors took as a scrum and the scrum-half dived over for a converted try.

But almost immediately Monmouth responded, again stretching the St Peters defence. Despite trying hard to contain the thrust by the backs on their extreme left flank, fly half Croudace again squeezed in at the flag to restore Monmouth's lead.

A deep kick forced Monmouth onto the back foot but the defence contained St Peters' pressure with first flanker Ollie Grey saving the day, and then number eight Adam Seymour receiving a harsh yellow-card for his desperate defending.

But despite being a man down it was Monmouth who drove forward and vintage second row John Powell stretched his large frame over a tackle to dot the ball down inches over the line.

Full back Ben Berry converted to take Monmouth into a 19-7 half-time lead. But after the restart, Lehmann was sin-binned for offending in a ruck to gift the visitors a chance of come back with an easy three points. But the remaining 13 men protected their lead and even found time to kick a penalty in response to recover to 22-10.

Territorial advantage then led to intense pressure on the visitors' line; completed by a rugged drive through bodies by Baker to widen the gap to 17 points. And substitute back row Michael Griffiths was eventually rewarded for leading various storming runs with the final try of the game. Monmouth almost grabbed a sixth try, but Leighton Phillips' swerving run on the left well supported by Morgan, was forced into touch just two yards out.

Monmouth now take on Newport HSOB, the next visitors to the Sports Ground, before a tough-run in against their fellow strugglers at the bottom.