Match Report:

Once again Tumble conceded over forty points, this time to a very slick Pencoed outfit which put on a superb performance of controlled, supportive rugby.

Both sides were intent to try and play a running game and Tumble's Steve George at No.8 put in a big tackle early on. Support play and good offloading give Pencoed an early advantage but, with Dwayne Evans able to distribute solid ball, the Magpies were able to launch their own attacks. A promising run for Nicky Allinson and a break by Aled Tank Lewis took play upfield. Tumble had gained a penalty and winning the lineout on the visitors 22, hooker James Jones drove at the defence. He sucked in defenders and with the ball reset, Dwayne Evans' pass found Steve Hewitt in space and he crashed over for a converted try.

Pencoed's back row were a lively outfit as was hooker Pierson. He made several breaks in loose play and, with forwards supporting, it wasn't long before another turnover gave Davies the opportunity to feed flanker Aeron Halse. His run from halfway outstripped the defence and he scored in the corner.

To their credit, back came Tumble and within two minutes, Allinson intercepted on his own 22. Running up to Pencoed's 10 metre line, he passed inside to Hewitt who fed the flying Stephen Perry who touched over in the corner. Hewitt added a fine conversion.

Tumble were winning good ball at the linesout through Hefin Dumbrill and Aled Lewis but still were struggling in the scrums where Pencoed dominated. Pencoed were able to drive Tumble off their own ball and, with two rucks being set up, a gap opened up in midfield and Mark Davies charged through for an unconverted try.

Allinson unluckily went off injured and Paul Davies came on. This necessitated a realignment in the backs but didn't disrupt things too much. Tumble kept up the pressure through runs by Clive Morgan and centre Gareth Jones and with Kinnard winning lineout ball, play swept into Pencoed territory. Quick ball was stopped by Pencoed centre Fryer and he received a yellow card just on the stroke of half time. Tumble won the ensuing scrum but Steve George was stopped short of the line.

Pencoed started the second half well as Tumble knocked on from the restart. The scrum put the Magpies under pressure and, despite some fine tackles by Huw Jones and Mike Harries, pressure told and a penalty by Davies 15 metres out reduced arrears. With fifty five minutes gone, Pencoed edged into the lead when Davies kicked his second penalty from 18 metres out in front of the posts.

This gave the visitors confidence whilst at same time deflating the home side. Scrum Half Aled Evans battled manfully to get his backs moving but often the ball was being turned over too easily. With the home team under pressure, they won a lineout some 9 metres from their own line only to be dispossessed. The ball was taken by David Pierson on the burst who went over for a try which Davies converted from in front of the posts. Two minutes later the lead was extended further when Pierson broke through in midfield, support was on hand and prop Hawkins scored a converted try.

It was now a case of Tumble playing for pride against a side which always had players in support and were able to quickly turn defence into attack. Forwards linked with backs and only some stern defensive work by James Plimmer and Matthew Jones stopped scores. With fifteen minutes left, Pencoed worked an overlap out wide and winger Ken Morris scored for Davies to add the touchline conversion.

With backs to wall defence now, Tumble's Paul Davies stopped the visitors short, sporadic breaks from defence were shown by the muscular Perry and fleetfooted Gareth Jones but the final score came when Pencoed's backs swept upfield from their own 22 and full back Jamie Murphy scored in the corner.

Steve Lewis