Match Report:

A workmanlike performance from Tumble keeps them within one point of the league leaders Aberystwyth following this win against Newcastle Emlyn.

From the outset, Tumble set their stall to play running rugby and, with Nick Bailey linking with flanker Rhodri Jones, play soon was in the visitors 22. Captain Derek Lewis was like a rampant ox charging at the defence and his break saw the ball sped to the backs where the experienced head of winger Richard Rees saw him scamper over in the corner for the first of his three tries. The try went unconverted. The Magpies had a further chance to increase their lead when they were awarded a penalty after 20 minutes but Hewitt had left his kicking boots at home. Newcastle Emlyn reduced arrears when Tumble tried to move the ball from within their own 22 they got turned over and were penalised fifteen metres out. Outside half Evans kicked the first of his three penalties. The restart saw Tumble regather the ball and with James Plimmer making inroads into the visitors 22, Emlyn were caught offside and Hewitt converted his only penalty success of the day.

This opening period saw the game flow freely and was typified by one move from Tumble which resulted in a cracking try. The Magpies had a drop out 22 which went deep, quicksilver wing Nicky Allinson went in hot pursuit and, with Newcastle Emlyn being turned over, Nick Bailey regathered had support from Dominic Brettle who looped with Allinson and his final pass enabled second row Hefin Dumbrill to canter over for an unconverted try. With this new found belief, Tumble's catch and drive from the restart took play some thirty metres upfield, winning the set scrum, wing Rees had a mazy run and offloaded to outside half Cerith Humphries whose boot found touch on the visitors 22. Dumbrill was exceptional in the linesout and his feed gave the mercurial Bailey the chance to exploit a gap. He weaved his way to 2 metres out but the offload was knocked on. Emlyn were then given a free kick which they took quickly but a wild pass was snapped up by Allinson who went over wide out for the try. With half time looming, Evans reduced arrears with his second penalty.

Tumble had to defend early on in the second half and second row Chris Morris was to the fore together with hooker James Jones. Rhodri Jones and Huw Evans scavenged for the loose ball but the Magpies were showing signs of creaking. Newcastle Emlyn's backs looked sharp and, with the full back coming into the line, play went into the Magpies 22. They recycled six times but couldn't penetrate Tumble's defence where Plimmer and co centre Jeremy Davies were solid. Their only reward was the third successful penalty from Evans.

Emlyn went down to 14 men when flanker Phillips was yellow carded for illegally stopping Derek Lewis' run. This eased the pressure on the Magpies but they still needed to be alert. Emlyn pressed hard but, with Dumbrill pinching ball with ease and Davies bottling up the midfield threat, there was no way through the defence. Chris Morris played his heart out and with Tumble under pressure near their own 22, Cerith Humphries chipped over the on rushing defence. Richard Rees tore upfield, kicked twice and chased before the ball bounced up for him to score. Allinson kicked an excellent touchline conversion.

With fifteen minutes left, Tumble rang the changes and props Alan King and Kenny Jones gave the impetus for Tumble to maul from outside their own 22 to midfield of the opposition. Broken play gave No. 8 Gary Williams the chance to shine and, some excellent support work from Brettle and Jones resulted in Richard Rees dancing through a mesmerised defence from 28 metres out to get his third try which Allinson converted from in front of the posts. Try as they might, Emlyn could not break the stranglehold imposed by Tumble who ran out worthy winners.

A potential banana skin awaits them next week away at Haverfordwest but, if they continue to keep on improving, the rewards will surely come.