Match Report:

Tumble recorded their third victory this season against a workmanlike Pontarddulais. In the end, the score flattered the visitors, but it wasn't until the second half that Tumble broke their shackles.

Pontarddulais put early pressure on Tumble and good work from Cudd kept the visitors from an early score. After 10 minutes, Tumble opened the scoring with a well judged penalty from Hewitt from 40 metres. This was immediately negated by Mirks' penalty following an offside decision against the Magpies forwards.

The visitors showed far more composure than Tumble in both the set and loose play exchanges but could not convert this pressure into points. The Magpies for their part tried to move the ball as often as they could but were guilty of overcomplicating things when the simple pass would suffice. Their forwards had to defend throughout the first half and, tackles from captain Lewis and Rhodri Jones saved the Magpies blushes. Neat interpassing by Allinson and Jeremy Davies saw the Magpies close but it was not to be.

On the half hour, Pont broke the Magpies defence only for the referee to adjudge the ball was held up over the Tumble line. This appeared to spur the home team and wing Richard Rees danced clean through the defence and unfortunately, over the dead ball line, before grounding the ball. Half time came with score at 3-3.

The second half saw Tumble score seven unanswered tries, the first of which was scored by man of the match Steven Hewitt two minutes from the restart. The try being unconverted. Outside half Cerith Humphries kicked astutely and used his backs well. With Richard Watts leaving the field, replacement perennial Nick bailey came on and immediately fed a scoring pass to Rees who went over in the corner for a try converted by Hewitt.

Tumble's forwarded then began to dominate the scrum and props Jones and Morgan proved solid. After an hour's play, inventive back play saw poacher hooker Powell pop up on the wing to score after Chris Morris' bullocking run tore Pont's defence apart.

With Dumbrill reigning supreme in the linesout, quick ball saw all backs handle from halfway enabling Allinson to score wide out. Again the try went unconverted. Pontarddulais were now being run ragged and two further tries from Rees, one an opportunist effort, the other following good work from Bailey and Allinson, one of which was converted, saw Tumble safe. In injury time, Hewitt snapped up turnover ball from halfway to romp home wide out and Allison completed a fine conversion.

Next week's Konica Cup game, home to Brynmawr will prove a sterner test and the Magpies need to tighten up in all phases to gain a result.

--Steve Lewis