Match Report:

Tumble sit proudly at the top of Division Three West with this comprehensive destruction of Lampeter. In a match thought to be close, the Magpies continued with their brand of running rugby mixed with resolute defence.

The early exchanges saw Tumble dominate the linesout through some fine stealing work at the front by the stag like Rhodri Jones. This, coupled with the foraging in the loose by co-flanker Garry Williams, enabled a steady supply of ball for Nick Bailey at scrum half to use effectively. Tumble posed problems at the set piece and a scrum won by the visitors following the solid work of nimble prop Huw Evans, allowed captain Derek Lewis to break at No. 8. He fed Rhodri Jones who linked well with Evans and play swept upfield. Unfortunately handling let them down and Lampeter breathed a sigh of relief.

Hefin Dumbrill again dominated the middle of the line and Lampeter lost their first five linesout to their visitors. With a solid front row of Evans, James Jones and the evergreen Alan King, Tumble were able to steel the Lampeter put in. Rhodri Jones linked with Hewitt who glided through a gap. The ball was sped to the aligned backs and Richard Rees raced some 35 metres to score under the posts for Steven Hewitt to convert.

Starved of possession, Lampeter were struggling and Tumble's outside half, nineteen year old Matthew Lemon showed maturity beyond his years with astute tactical kicking and excellent distribution skills. He fed centre Jeremy Davies who was lively and created gaps in midfield. With hooker Jones everywhere, Tumble regathered from one ruck, Rhodri Jones was on hand to slip the ball to Bailey and his sleight of hand gave the exocet Richard Rees the run in for his second try which went unconverted.

With twelve points in the first fifteen minutes the Magpies were in control. Lampeter to their credit stuck manfully to their task but probing runs from Thomas and Gavin Perry were dealt with by the all embracing tackles of Chris Morris and James Plimmer in midfield. Tumble looked sharp behind and well drilled in the forwards, Dumbrill continued to secure ball from the pin point accuracy of James Jones and Garry Williams dealt with anything loose on the floor. Derek Lewis again inspired with his ball carrying and, with five minutes remaining of the first half, Lewis took play to the home 22. The ruck was set by Davies and Jones and a cheeky chip by Lemon saw him outpace the defence to score a converted try.

The second half again produced some fine running rugby but this time Lampeter scored first. Tumble had a run with Rees and Bailey which took play into Lampeter territory. This was continued by the forwards and Rhodri Jones and James Jones were held up metres short of the line. The ball bobbled loose and was hacked upfield where Dafydd Jones gathered. Smart interpassing saw him give the scoring pass for winger Aled Morgan to score with out. Spurred by this, Lampeter redoubled their efforts but with Plimmer and Davies producing some bone jarring tackles in midfield, the storm was weathered. Tumble countered with runs by Rees and Lewis and with pressure building up on Lampeter's line, winger Gareth Jones was feed to score a converted try.

Tumble rung the changes and, with the rocklike Paul Davies stopping anything that moved, coupled with silky skills of Lee Jones in midfield, Tumble had strength in depth. The last five minutes of play provided three more tries, two for Lampeter via Morgan and Dafydd Jones, the latter try being converted.

On the stroke of time, some fine forward play by Clive Morgan and Matthew Evans enabled Tumble to launch deep into Lampeter's 22. Wave after wave of attack was held up but it was the hard running of Derek Lewis that saw him crash over to get the final score.

Next week's game, sponsored by Crosshands Square Shopping Centre, will be immense as the Magpies face Aberystwyth at home. Defeat would throw away all the good work done this season!!.

Steve Lewis