They came. They saw Van Halen. They conquered the American rugby club with which they share a name.
The Monmouth Rugby Football Club of Monmouthshire, Wales, crushed the Monmouth Rugby Football Club of Shrewsbury Avenue 47-15 at Thompson Park in Lincroft Saturday.
“It was a lot to a little,” said Red Bank coach Brian Difiore, “and we were on the little side.”
The visitors mark their new territory.
But as much as it was about bragging rights, the game er, match was the culmination of a the first-ever all-Monmouth day, one that would end at the Red Bank clubhouse on Shrewsbury Avenue with a good deal of camaraderie and a great deal of beer.
For the visitors, who arrived early last week and left for home Sunday, “it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Andy Pook, a Welsh rugger who’s a police sergeant back home.
He and his teammates heaped praise on their Red Bank hosts, the hotel (the 73-man squad stayed at the Oyster Point), and Donovan’s, where, just because they could, some of the ruggers dressed up in costumes: hippies, Elvii and cast members of ‘Grease,’ among them.
“It’s been an excellent time,” said Pook.
The Welshmen, in stripes, make nice with the Americans post-match.
