Fixture

On Saturday afternoon the Magpies welcomed local rivals Penygroes RFC to Parc y Mynydd Mawr for the first competitive fixture between the two clubs in many a year. In atrocious conditions following the heavy overnight and morning rain Penygroes started well and took the lead when former Tumble Youth player Chris Powell slotted over a penalty after Magpies skipper Gareth Beynon was adjudged to have made a high tackle. A few minutes later the visitors extended their lead when Powell added a 40-metre penalty to make the score 0-6. The Magpies now started to work their way into the game and after a period of pressure within the opposition 22 outside half Steven Hewitt cut a smart angle onto a pop pass to go over for a try wide on the left. Hewitt shaved the outside of the right upright with the conversation attempt for the Magpies making the score 5-6. Eight minutes later Tumble took the lead for the first time in the game when Hewitt slotted over a smart penalty to make the score 8-5 after Penygroes were adjudged not to have rolled away in the tackle. Acting Magpies skipper Beynon was now dominating the lineout against his former club and securing good ball on his own and the opposition throw in. Young centres Owain Williams and Alex Jones were also making good yardage with ball in hand and looking dangerous. Tumble's lead was extended to 11-6 on 26 minutes when Hewitt slotted over another well taken penalty. With halftime approaching Penygroes put pressure on the Tumble line only for good defence from flanker Liam Willard and wing Sam Jones to keep the opposition out. On the brink of halftime Tumble put pressure on the Penygroes try line. The move was brought to ground but following a transgression Penygroes fly half Powell was shown the yellow card and sent to the sinbin. Tumble were awarded a penalty which Hewitt slotted over for the final play of the half. Score at the interval 14-6 to the Magpies. Tumble now had Penygroes under pressure and a big cross field kit from Hewitt saw play go deep into Penygroes territory.

The second half saw conditions worsen with prolonged heavy rain causing the field to break up into a mud bath. Early in the half a break by the Penygroes fullback saw him slice through the Magpies defence and take play deep into the Tumble 22. The Magpies held out drive after drive from their opponents before Penygroes are awarded a scrum 10 metres out. A big drive off the base of the scrum was countered when a big hit from openside flanker Tom Miles saw the ball spill forward and Tumble clear their lines. 10 minutes into the second half Tumble extended their lead to 17-6 with another Hewitt penalty. The Magpies started to build phase after phase before Penygroes gave away another penalty when the jackler was adjudged not to have supported himself whilst competing at a ruck. Hewitt added the penalty, 20-6 to the Magpies with 56 minutes played. The final 20 minutes saw the abrasive Penygroes pack play the field conditions well. Concerted pressure saw their impressive fullback go over for a well taken try which was converted by Powell, 20-13 to the Magpies. Late in the half hardworking wing Mike Edwards had to be helped from the field after taking a high tackle from his opposite number. The referee adjudged that the tackle was dangerous and showed the Penygroes player the yellow card. Tumble held out further Penygroes pressure before the referee signalled the end of the game and a win for the Magpies which moves them up to fourth position in Specsavers Division 3 West B, four points behind leaders Trimsaran.

A copy of the match day programme can be found at the following link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wd9_l5wkMb8dDIVNsdaQgWPxI8JBOOJU/view?usp=sharing

Man of the match: Steven Hewitt & Gareth Beynon. A 20 point haul for the Magpies outside half Hewitt and a dominant lineout display from the experienced Beynon.

Next week the Magpies face another tough test when they travel to second placed Amman United, kick off 2.30pm. Come and support the boys.

Ymlaen Y Piod