Match Report:

Tumble will rue missed opportunities that cost them the points in this hard fought encounter at Parc Y Mynydd Mawr.

From the outset the Magpies had to defend against a Loughor side intent on using the driving maul and flankers Aled Lewis and Mark Kinnard had their work cut out to stem the tide. The visitors attacked relentlessly through forwards and backs and tackles by Rhys Jones and Jeremy Davies only prevented the inevitable. Seven phases of recycled ball eventually gave Loughor the scrum and, with Steve Wake exploiting a blindside gap, was able to crash over for a converted try in the corner inside the first six minutes.

Rocked by this early setback, Tumble used what little ball they had and a run by winger Grant Williams saw him take play into the visitors half only for them to turnover possession and kick the Magpies back into their own half. The elusive Cerith Humphries at outside half showed some deft touches with hand and foot and was supported by full back Hewitt in using what little ball was being won. The lineout was problematical for the first twenty minutes but Tumble's front row of Clive Morgan and Kenny Jones gradually gained parity and ball was coming for scrum half Arwyn Evans to use. The Magpies still had to guard against the attacks of Loughor and both Derek Lewis and Mike Powell put in some bone crunching tackles to stop any danger.

Both sides were guilty of kicking away useful possession but, when Tumble recycled quick ball they looked dangerous. A run by Jeremy Davies from midfield scythed through some weak defence and he was held up short. Veteran winger Aled Griffiths showed what an elusive runner he was by beating three men in the space of five metres but it was often a lack of support or poor execution of the final pass that stopped the scoreboard ticking over. Both Hefin Dumbrill and Jeremy Goddard were now securing their own ball at the linesout and Tumble grew in confidence.

The aerial battle was being won however by Loughor and, when Tumble again got turned over deep in visitor's territory, a raking kick from Ben Davies put the Magpies deep into their own half. On the stroke of halftime, Loughor then increased their lead when Davies kicked a 47 metre penalty.

Loughor started the better in the second half and again the driving maul proved decisive. Tumble's defence was breached but the final pass was knocked on. The resultant scrum saw Derek Lewis pick up and drive for hard yards and Humphries put in the kick to their own 22. Loughor won their own lineout ball and from there they were able to control the drive for prop Matthew White to crash over for another converted try. This after 48 minutes play.

This signalled Tumble to bring on forward replacements but still they were under pressure. Gradually however, Goddard and Dumbrill were winning ball and, coupled with some fine running by Williams, the Magpies began their fightback. Rhys Jones made a break, backs linked well and Loughor were stretched to hold out. Tumble spoilt Loughor lineout on their own 10 metre line and, with Jeremy Davies creating the gap, prop Clive Morgan was on hand to take the ball forward. Quick recycling saw the incisive Humphries chip over the defence, he regathered to run unopposed under the posts for a try which Hewitt converted.

It had taken an hour for Tumble to break the defence but now they ran the ball well. Hewitt made a break, was supported by Dumbrill, and the backs and the move swept upfield to Loughor's line only for Tumble to concede a penalty. The kick missed touch in Tumble's half and back they came, Humphries made the break, Grant Williams carried the ball on and with the defence split the ball went forward and another try went begging.

Loughor attacked and Tumble did well to stop a try with James Jones and Paul Davies prominent in defence. From their own line they attacked, Hewitt chipped, Aled Griffiths carried on, was supported by Humphries and forwards Dumbrill and Morgan but the wrong option was taken with the defence breached.

The kick saw Tumble lose 60 metres but they pinched the ensuing lineout and Humphries glided through a gap in his own 22. He took play to halfway, chipped through as there was no support. Again, the ball was scrambled to touch and with Davies winning the lineout, Aled Evans fed his backs, Jeremy Davies charged through midfield and looked for support on the visitors 22, but with him isolated, the ball was kicked dead for the final whistle to sound.

Tumble remained pointless from this encounter but can take heart in the fact that four or five tries could have been scored the final 15minutes. If they can carry that intensity to next week's Cup game against Llanishen, this could well turn a corner for the Magpies.

Steve Lewis