Match Report:

Outplayed and outmanoeuvred was the consensus of a poor performance by the high flying Magpies who drop to fourth in the table following this surprise defeat by lowly Laugharne. Playing into a fierce wind first half, Tumble started brightly enough and won a stream of line out possession through Jeremy Goddard who was able to pinch ball at will. They were unable to turn this possession into points as, any ground gained was frittered away by some poor tactical running or, through the boot of Laugharne's Davies which kept Tumble pinned in their own half. The early exchanges had Tumble defending resolutely and strong tackling by centre Jeremy Davies and lock Chris Morris stopped several promising attacks.

Laugharne got their reward for some fine driving mauls and a penalty for offside saw full back Alistair Chambers convert from 22 metres out. Tumble tried to keep the ball in hand and a neat piece of interplay between flanker Dominic Brettle and scrum half Bailey took play from the Magpies 10 metre line to Laugharne's 22. Tumble's tactic of pick up and drive was not functioning at all and several times forwards were left isolated when on attack. The resultant turnover or penalty then put the Magpies on the back foot. Mike Powell and Mark Jones tackled resolutely but, despite some hard running by wings Richard Rees and Aled Griffiths, little was seen of Tumble's attack. With Tumble conceding yet another penalty, Chambers drilled the ball deep into the Magpies 22. Brettle won the lineout but was dispossessed, Laugharne drove through, won a scrum and with the No. 8's pick up and drive, he released Davies to go over unopposed.

Tumble were by now relying on the boot of Humphries and Hewitt to ease pressure against the wind but, with stoppage time approaching, Laugharne intercepted in midfield and took play into the visitors 22. Outside half Davies was held up by Humphries who conceded a penalty and was yellow carded for his pains. Chambers converted to give Laugharne a deserved 11-0 lead.

With the wind at their backs, Tumble had thoughts of a comeback. Nobody however told Laugharne the script. The early second half pressure enabled Jeremy Davies and fellow centre Lee Jones to link with their forwards and this passage of play gave Hewitt the opportunity to reduce arrears but his penalty went wide from 35 metres. The Magpies then made another enforced change when prop King went off injured to follow on to the injury sustained by captain Derek Lewis. Flanker Mike Harries was carrying an injury too but with forward replacements all used, he soldiered on. The Magpies were unable to make use of the wind and were continually having to defend against a more confident pack. They were unable to gain any good ball to use and, what little ball was received was squandered through forward passes or knock-ons. Richard Rees, Paul Davies and Dominic Brettle had sporadic runs but it was a case of defence rather than constructive attack. Whilst in their own 22, Tumble had a kick charged down and replacement Pearce scored an unconverted try. The lead was increased five minutes later when Chambers slotted his third penalty.

Some ten minutes remained but the Magpies were unable to breach an adequate Laugharne defence who were finishing much the stronger. Tumble need to improve dramatically if they are not to face a bleak midwinter.