Match Report:

Tumble ended the year with this defeat in a mud soaked encounter at Aberystwyth who now extend their lead as table toppers to four points. Despite the conditions, both teams tried to play an expansive game and it was the home side that committed the fewer errors and this tipped the balance in Aberystwyth's favour.

From the kick off, Aberystwyth charged back at Tumble and took play into the visitors 10 metre line only for the forwards to be dispossessed and the counter attack, led by Jeremy Davies, saw captain Derek Lewis and flanker Paul Davies interlink to drive deep into Aber's 22. With the ball being knocked forward, this promising attack came to naught. Tumble's full back Steven Hewitt was tested with the high ball in a swirling wind but took everything that was aimed at him and the linesout work of Hefin Dumbrill once again caused Aberystwyth problems. With the pack going well, marshalled by the lively James Jones, Aber had to live on scraps of possession. What little they had in the early exchanges led them to the opening score after 12 minutes. An innocuous kick from deep inside their own half from the Magpies gave winger Hinge the chance to gather inside his own 10 metre line. He ran to the visitors 10 metres, put in a speculative chip which left Tumble napping, gathered and scored in the corner for an unconverted try.

To their credit, Tumble came back at Aber and were able to push the pack around with props Evans and Matthew Jones putting in some heavy work. Scrum half, diminutive Nick Bailey used the supply of ball to release his backs and Richard Rees showed a neat turn of pace but too often was isolated in attack. The same was true when Aled Griffiths made some telling runs on the left wing.

Aberystwyth began to settle down and compete in the set piece and looked dangerous on the counter attack. James Plimmer at outside half never shunned tackling some rampant Aberystwyth forwards but the tide was beginning to flow in the home team's favour. Tumble's other flanker Jonathan Cudd was stemming attacks, but, with Aberystwyth recycling well, Derek Lewis and Paul Davies were committed. The ball was fed out to Hinge who just drove at the tumble backs wide out. Weak tackling saw him go through three tackles and he touched down, on the half hour, for his second. The try went unconverted.

Despite this setback, Tumble came back and runs by Lee Jones and Rees, with support from Goddard and Dumbrill, saw them close. Derek Lewis chose the pick up and drive from the No. 8 position but he was held up. Hard yards were being gained but the score would not come. A relieving kick upfield gave respite to Aber. With the game in stoppage time, Aberystwyth managed to drive upfield and after some six phases were in the visitors 22. Tumble were in disarray and scrum half Gruff Jones exploited the blind side to score a converted try under the posts. Tumble were down by 17 points and were struggling.

The second half kick off put Tumble in trouble as they couldn't regather the greasy ball and consequently spent the next seven minutes defending heroically. Lewis and the Davies' Paul and Jeremy, stopped attacks but the counter attacking abilities of quicksilver Aled Griffiths supported by Richard Rees gave Tumble the chance to put points on the board. A Lineout won by Dumbrill saw him use his immense strength and he slipped the ball to Derek Lewis who was on hand to score a try which went unconverted. The Magpies continued to exert pressure, and during this period, Aberystwyth were down to 13 men with two yellow cards. Tumble however could not turn the pressure into points and, when Aberystwyth were back to full strength, took heart and dictated play for the rest of the game. The forwards rucked and mauled the visitors and with seven minutes left, deservedly got their four try when flanker Evans crashed over in the corner.

Tumble now have to focus their attentions to second placed Llangefni who visit Parc y Mynyddmawr next week if they are to maintain their promotion hopes.