Match Report:

Tumble recorded their first win in Division Two West with this bonus point victory over a plucky Nantymoel side. With late withdrawals in the team, Tumble's pack was a little disjointed and the visitors were able to exploit this area well. Cerith Humphries, back at outside half put in a fierce tackle on his opposite number but the ball was quickly recycled and spun wide where the Magpies infringed. The resultant quick penalty from Tumble's 10 metre line saw Mark Jones crash over in the corner for a try which he converted.

Rocked by this setback, the Magpies redoubled their efforts and, following a lineout won by the stag like Hefin Dumbrill, they were able to get a rolling maul moving. Captain Derek Lewis exploited a gap, fed centre Jeremy Davies who was tackled hard. Nantymoel turned the ball over and kicked deep only for Steve Hewitt to relieve pressure with his kick to halfway. Tumble then disrupted at the scrum and the mercurial Humphries exploited a gap, chipped ahead for Tumble flyer Nicky Allinson to touch down for a score which Hewitt converted. Both packs tried to obtain and advantage but Tumble's backrow of Lewis, Mike Harries and the snapping Garry Williams had the edge in the loose and at the breakdown. Jeremy Goddard and Dumbrill secured their own ball and Goddard was even able to pinch the odd opposition ball in dangerous positions. This possession enabled scrum half Aled Evans to release his backs and runs by the silky Humphries and a mazy 60 metre run from Gareth Jones caught the eye. With Tumble pressing for the score, Lewis was held up short as was centre Ben Matthews, Humphries and Hewitt got into the action but it was all too frenetic and aimless. The reward came when Humphries neatly dropped a goal.

Nantymoel employed a kicking game and relied a lot on scavenging at the breakdown. They eventually took play into the Magpies 22 but the defence of Matthews and Hewitt proved solid. Mike Harries put in some great work on the floor and Tumble's front row of Clive Morgan, James Jones and Matthew Jones gave the opposition a torrid time. A speculative kick from Nantymoel put pressure on the Tumble defence and Aled Evans tackled close to the line, a succession of infringements saw the Magpies going backwards and despite stern defence from Lewis and Williams, a converted try by scrum half Jeremy Williams was conceded to leave Tumble adrift at halftime.

The second half saw Mike Powell on for James Jones at hooker and Tumble knew the first score would be vital. Garry Williams foraged, Derek Lewis carried well and, a bullocking run from lively prop Matthew Evans saw Tumble win a penalty. Powell looped well with his backs and with quick recycling Jeremy Davies released Hewitt for a try in the corner.

With Cerith Humphries now orchestrating the play, Tumble strove for the try that would kill the game. A sniping run from the base of the scrum by Evans saw his feel to Lewis, he carried, released to Matthew Evans, only for the ball to be adjudged forward. Nantymoel were now being run round the field and with constant alleged infringements going unpunished, Tumble did well to keep their discipline at the least on the field. Hewitt went close as did Allinson whose run saw him tackled in goal. Humphries went through only for the pass to be adjudged forward. Aled Lewis and Arwyn Evans came on late on to inject more pace but, their only reward for this pressure was a Hewitt penalty after 30 minutes play.

The visitors were still within a score and, with 5 minutes remaining, scored a try following a pick up and drive close to the Tumble line. The Magpies coaching team and supporters were amazed at alleged poor refereeing decisions but the coolness of captain Derek Lewis kept the team disciplined throughout. Two minutes to go and some magic through a jinking run from wing Gareth Jones who beat four players in the space of ten metres gave him the opportunity to feed Nicky Allinson for a richly deserved try which Hewitt converted.

Prop Huw Jones disrupted at the scrum and, with the referee already playing four minutes of injury time, the Magpies couldn't relax. Nantymoel attacked furiously but were held up. Aled Lewis put in a bone jarring tackle on the opposition wing. Hewitt kicked to the corner where 'Moel could only hack to touch. Dumbrill won the line out, Derek Lewis set up the ruck, the ball was taken on by the forwards. Space had been created for Allinson to get his third try and Tumble's bonus point five minutes into stoppage time.

Steve Lewis