Match Report:

The Magpies move into second place with this nervy win against the workmanlike Llanelli Wanderers. They got off to the best possible start when they regathered the ball from a lineout and, with James Plimmer setting up the ruck an astute chip by the mesmeric Cerith Humphries saw full back Steven Hewitt gather to score an unconverted try wide out.

Tumble were dominant at the linesout out with Hefin Dumbrill once again reigning supreme. Add to this the able support of Nathan Wilcox coupled with the driving power of Rhodri Jones and Alan King, it was no wonder that the Wanderers saw very little ball for the first quarter of the game. A monopoly of possession from the linesout enabled scrum half Nick Bailey to use ball effectively and, with Centre Jeremy Davies probing for weaknesses in midfield, Tumble kept up relentless pressure. When the Wanderers did make a break, the hard tackling Chris Morris was able to batter his opponents down.

A kick by Humphries found touch, the ball was won by Wilcox and, with Davies linking with the ever mobile Matthew Evans, play went deep into home territory. Allinson made ground and, with the Wanderers being penalised in front of their own posts, Hewitt added the penalty. To their credit, the Wanderers never gave up and a probing run by Bannister took play into Tumble territory only for Chris Morris to put in a bone jarring tackle. Wanderers recycled possession and, with three quick ruck in succession, were awarded a penalty 45 metres out which Clement slotted over with ease.

Tumble tried to be inventive behind but were frustrated by some apparent incorrect decisions by the referee. Instead of redoubling their efforts on the matter in hand, they were exploited by some sharp moves from Wanderers flanker Cooke and the game then tended to drift in favour of the home team. With hooker Powell's pin point throwing to Dumbrill, the ball was fed to Nicky Allinson who was tackled high and Hewitt restored the gap to eight points with his second penalty. The restart saw Tumble caught offside at the ruck and Clement kicked his second penalty. The half ended with a strong run from centre Plimmer being held up in midfield.

With the Wanderers putting the restart out on the full, Tumble were able to launch a back row move with the lively Garry Williams to the fore. Play went to the home side's 10 metre line but a hoof downfield saw the Magpies having to defend a put in on their own 5 metre line. Dumbrill duly won the ball and Hewitt kicked to halfway. A rare lineout win by the wanderers saw flanker Cooke waltz past some woeful defence and he sprinted in unopposed from 43 metres. Clement added the conversion and the Wanderers were ahead.

Stung by this wake up call, Tumble produced some cohesive rugby. They won the ball from their own put in, Humphries kicked to the corner and touch was found. The Wanderers lost the line out to the towering Hefin Dumbrill and, with Mike Powell and Rhodri Jones setting up two powerful runs, Hewitt came into the line to take the pass which created space for Allinson to score wide out. Playing percentage rugby, the Magpies looked in control and Jeremy Davies was excelling with his distribution and kicking. The forwards became more structured in their play and Garry Williams and Chris Morris tackled ferociously. The still had to guard against the darting runs of chunky scrum half Jenkins and the elusive running of Cooke but with Cerith Humphries putting in some raking cross kicks it was only a matter of time before the next score came. Two tries, on the hour, within three minutes, effectively sealed the game.

A quick penalty gave Tumble the chance to move the ball, centre Davies make the half break and, on his outside was prop Alan King who showed deftness of hand to slip a looped pass to Allinson who romped home for his second unconverted try. Llanelli Wanderers drove at the Magpies from the restart but crunching tackles from Morris and Plimmer caused hesitancy in the backs. Cerith Humphries latched on to intercept the ball just outside his own 22 and with Richard Rees on hand to receive the ball on the visitors 10 metre line, he scored under the posts for Allinson to convert. He later added a penalty and, with eight minutes remaining, the Wanderers got a consolation try when Nicholson scored for Clement to convert.

They will now be looking for a rare hat trick of wins when they face the same opponents next Thursday on 8th March at 7.15 pm in LLANGENNECH RFC in the semi finals of the Tovali Bowl competition.