Match Report:

Tumble slip to their sixth defeat despite a rousing second half performance against a well drilled Penclawdd pack of forwards. From the outset, flanker Garry Williams performed heroics for Tumble and an early run from prop Huw Jones showed promise.

Cerith Humphries returning to outside half was a little rusty with his line kicking and Penclawdd, always eager to run with the ball, countered relentlessly.

They took the lead after seven minutes with a penalty 18 metres out by full back Rhys Williams but this was cancelled out two minutes later when Steven Hewitt landed one of his own from the home side's 22.

Penclawdd's forwards were dominating proceedings and Mike Kinnard and Hefin Dumbrill had to put in strong tackles to stem the tide. Tumble's back row of youngsters Derek and Aled Lewis fought hard to repel the onslaught from marauding forwards and the pressure resulted in a second successful penalty for the home team.

The Magpies did string one or two moves together through runs by wing Gareth Jones and, with Derek Lewis and Dumbrill in support, play wend into Penclawdd's midfield. Hooker Mike Powell and prop Clive Morgan were lively throughout but again Tumble couldn't get enough possession to turn defence into attack. With Penclawdd taking the crash ball up the middle, Jeremy Davies plugged the gaps but a smartly taken drop goal, after 20 minutes, by Gareth Jones increased Penclawdd's lead.

With the home side in the ascendant, centres Rhys Jones and Jeremy Davies tackled ferociously in midfield to deny any overlap but Penclawdd were not to be denied a glut of possession. Five mauls took play into the visitors 22 and only some sharp work from wing Grant Williams snuffed out a score. The relentless forward drives could not be denied and eventually, with Penclawdd camped on Tumble's line, the ball went wide and Rhys Williams scored.

Back came the resilient Magpies and, with Dumbrill winning a lineout, the lively Aled Evans at scrum half set his back moving. The ruck was set up for forwards Williams, Lewis and Kinnard to drive hard at the defence. Penclawdd then conceded a succession of penalties before a lineout 5 metres out saw Dumbrill held up, Aled Evans regathered, Powell took the ball on and with prop Clive Morgan corner flagging, his charging run gave the Magpies a badly needed score with three minutes of the half remaining.

Tumble would have been happy to settle for a six point deficit but with stoppage time looming, Evans was penalised for a crooked feed on halfway. The quickly taken penalty saw Penclawdd drive close to line. Five attacks were quelled before referee Hale showed a yellow card to Tumble's Aled Lewis. A man advantage was enough for the home side and they drove over for No. 8 Francis to get the first of his three tries. Williams converted.

The Magpies contested most of the second half and for twenty minutes they looked an effective outfit. Runs by Derek Lewis with support from Grant Williams and fellow wing Gareth Jones caught the eye. Dumbrill and Kinnard won good line out ball but their only reward during this period was another penalty from Hewitt. Penclawdd went down to fourteen men when Rhys Williams received yellow but another drive from their big forwards enabled Francis to touch down for a converted try with ten minutes remaining.

Tumble responded from the restart when, regathering a loose ball, Cerith Humphries ghosted through four defenders and outstripped the cover defence to run 40 metres under the posts for a converted try. In sight a bonus point , the visitors tried to breakdown a stubborn defence but were unable to do so. With two minutes remaining, Francis got his third from yet another driving maul to complete a pointless night for the Magpies.

Steve Lewis