Match Report:

Promotion seeking Felinfoel defeated a plucky Tumble side outscoring the visitors by five tries to one. The difference between the two sides was in a well drilled and mobile set of 'Foel forwards that always had the edge on their lighter opponents. Tumble's back row of Garry Williams, Steve George and Derek Lewis tackled manfully but, with the scrum always under pressure it was only a matter of time before Felinfoel opened their account. This they did after ten minutes when, following a lineout on Tumble's 22, the forwards drove the ball to line for flanker Mike Buckingham to peel off and score close to the posts. Jason Davies added the conversion.

The Magpies relied on the defensive qualities of James Jones and Alan King and were grateful for the relieving boot of Cerith Humphries on numerous occasions. With Matthew Jones and Mark Kinnard making hard metres from loose play, Tumble were able to make sporadic incursions into Felinfoel territory. Wings Nicky Allinson and youngster Steven Perry used what little ball they had effectively but it was more in defence that their qualities showed. Felinfoel continued to dominate the set piece and with ample ball to use, their backs looked dangerous. Centres James Plimmer and Jeremy Davies tackled strongly but, with wave after wave of forwards recycling good ball it was inevitable that another score was coming.

Tumble had defended well for the first half hour but, conceding a 5 metre scrum, Felinfoel drove over for Buckingham to get his second try, Davies added the two points. The visitors then went down to fourteen players after Steven Hewitt was adjudged to have impeded winger Griffiths in midfield. During this period, Felinfoel's forwards again linked with backs and, with a drive into the vistors 22, the ball was recycled and Buckingham waltzed over for his third converted try.

Tumble did win their own share of lineout ball and were able pinch their opponents through the play of Hefin Dumbrill but it was still an uphill struggle. Derek Lewis had to pick up and drive at every scrum and what little clean ball was gained was used to relieve incessant pressure. Jeremy Davies tried to break the stranglehold and with Cerith Humphries trying to chip the onrushing defence, Felinfoel conceded a penalty 40 metres out. Up stepped Humphries and the penalty was successful.

Felinfoel restarted and back came Tumble. They were however dispossessed and with Felinfoel knocking on and Griffiths throwing the ball to touch, Tumble expected a penalty. The referee reversed the free kick and Felinfoel charged upfield. Slick interpassing saw centre Andrew Price weave through the visitors 22 for a converted try under the posts.

Both teams used their replacements early on in the second half and, with the introduction of bulky flanker Paul Davies, the scrum was able to gain ground. Play was still contained within the Magpies half but Felinfoel were unable to penetrate an organised defence. Tumble make breaks with Allinson and Plimmer and the diminutive Nick Bailey at scrum half was sniping at the base of the scrum. Try as they might, Felinfoel were held out by some strong tackling of Steve George and Clive Morgan. Aled Lewis foraged on the floor and both Hewitt and Humphries kicked intelligently.

Felinfoel's Stuart Roberts received a yellow card for killing the ball but Tumble couldn't capitalise. Humphries was impeded when making a break but the inconsistency of the referee did not bring out a card for the offence. With twelve minutes remaining, Felinfoel procuded the try of the match when both backs and forwards handled from inside their own half. The move swept upfield, left Tumble for dead and wing Craig Edwards looped to take the final pass and score wide out for an unconverted try.

Still to their credit, the Magpies stuck to their task and into stoppage time they were able to recycle good ball. The ball was taken up on Tumble's 10 metre line by George. Running to the home 10 metres he drew his man and fed Derek Lewis who was in support. He almost made the line but was tackled short. His slipped pass was however taken by flanker Garry Williams who scored for Hewitt to convert.

Tumble can be pleased with their second half performance which they need to develop next week at home to Penclawdd.

Steve Lewis