Match Report:

Tumble created sufficient chances to win this game but, in the end, were relieved to come away with 2 points following a stoppage time penalty from outside half Cerith Humphries.

With both teams realising the importance of this basement battle, Nantymoel started quickly and their forwards were held out by the bullish work of centre Jeremy Davies and wing Gareth Jones. Full back Steven Hewitt used his boot to find a long touch kick and, with Nantymoel winning ball on their own 10 metre line, the kick from outside half Budd was charged down by Tumble's dogged flanker Garry Williams who gathered and scored wide out for an unconverted try after three minutes play.

This start provided the Magpies with some much needed confidence and, with Nicky Allinson showing his fleetness of foot, Tumble were in the ascendant. Gradually however, Nantymoel clawed their way back into the game through some strong forward driving, and props Clive Morgan and Huw Jones were lively in defence. Added to this was the defensive work of bulky flanker Paul Davies and the tireless work of captain Derek Lewis, but it was only a matter of time before the defence cracked. Nantymoel opened their account from a driving maul at the linesout some twelve metres out and second row James got a converted try, this after fifteen minutes play.

Varying play in the linesout, Tumble secured plentiful ball from Hefin Dumbrill but, when it was sped wide, players were too often guilty of cutting back inside when the simple outside pass would have bought dividends. On three or four occasions, potential overlaps were spurned in this way.

Nantymoel played to their dominant forwards and, winning a scrum five metres out, were able to push their much lighter opponents over the tryline for No.8 Clatworthy to get another try which went converted. Tumble were now relying on their defence and Aled Lewis and James Jones worked tirelessly. From a mark in their own 22, Tumble's Matthew Lemon took a quick tap, he beat an onrushing defence and, with a long kick to the corner, up raced Hewitt to chip on. With the home defence struggling, the ball just beat everyone to touch. Tumble should have continued to play the ball out wide as Nantymoel were being stretched, however, with the intent to cutback inside all momentum and space was lost. The final play of the half saw Nantymoel attacking from their own 10 metre line and, with winger Gareth Jones enveloping his opposite number, Cerith Humphries used his educated boot to clear the danger.

The second half saw centre Rhys Jones come on in place of Hefin Dumbrill which necessitated a change in the forwards. Tumble attacked and with Clive Morgan and James Jones making good ground, play swept into the home 22, the mercurial Cerith Humphries was on hand to take the try scoring pass and Hewitt added the two points. Tumble were guilty of losing ball in contact and this kept them often on the back foot. Both Humphries and the loping Matthew Lemon probed for weaknesses in midfield but it was Nantymoel who increased their lead. A speculative corner kick was gathered by Humphries and Allison had to put in a try saving tackle. With the ball being recycled by Nantymoel, scrum half Williams scored through an open gap. The try went unconverted.

With this breathing space, Nantymoel went for the killer score but with Matthew Lemon and some fine tackling and running by Ben Matthews, Tumble were still in with a shout. Eight minutes were left when the Magpies produced some of last season's form. Davies set up the ruck, the ball was driven on by Jones and Lewis, slick hands saw the ball given to Humphries. His vision saw a gap and his run from halfway split the defence. Into the 22 he galloped and, with Garry Williams on hand to receive the scoring pass, Lemon's conversion tied the scores.

Tumble went for the final try to seal victory and, with Nicky Allinson going close, the win was there for the taking. Paul Davies and Ben Matthews combined well but, a boot upfield saw Tumble on the defensive. With a minute of normal play left, the visitors conceded a penalty 42 metres out which Jones converted. Into stoppage time, the Magpies applied relentless pressure to get the try but were held up. Matthew Lemon tried to gather his chip but was short of the line. Tumble took a quick throw in from the lineout and stretched the defence only for the referee to call it back as it had been touched outside the field of play. Tumble were desperate and, with six minutes played of stoppage time, Tumble won a penalty 30 metres out on the "wrong side" for kicker Humphries. The referee confirmed there would be no time to take a lineout and, with home supporters screaming and away fans praying, Cerith Humphries' ice cold nerve held and the ball sailed straight through the uprights to tie the scores.

Steve Lewis