Fixture

The Youth XV made the short trip to old rivals Hendy RFC on Saturday afternoon for their final game of phase 1 of the Scarlets East Carmarthenshire Youth League. The young Magpies started the game slowly and were conceding a lot of territory to Hendy. Pressure told after seven minutes when Tumble attempted to run the ball from their own try line only for the ball to be turned over. A couple of passes later the Hendy tighthead stormed over the whitewash to put the home side ahead. The conversion was added to make the score 7-0. The first 20 minutes was all Hendy with Tumble playing a very passive game and not threatening to get into the opposition 22. Midway through the first half the Magpies started to up the tempo, inspired by their number 8 and captain Tomos Raymond. Raymond took it upon himself to inspire his team mates with a couple of powerful runs and he stormed over the line after 23 minutes for a try which was converted by outside half Morgan Davies. Fresh from celebrating their try Tumble were hit with a sucker punch when attempting to run the ball from deep. The ball was again turned over for Hendy to score a converted try under the posts. It went from bad to worse only three minutes later when another mistake deep in their own half saw the Magpies surrender possession and Hendy score an unconverted try to make the score 19-7. Closing in on half time Hendy attempted to start an attack in their own 22 when Raymond managed to rip the ball out of an opposition player’s grasp and sprint over for his second try. Davies stepped up to attempt the conversion which grazed the outside of the upright. The score remained 19-12 at the interval.

The second half saw the Magpies playing with much more direction and attitude than in the first half and it only took seven minutes for prop Rhys Tobias to power over for a try which was converted by Davies to square the score at 19-19. The second half was a competitive affair with both sides having opportunities but Tumble just shaded the possession and scoring opportunities. The last five minutes of the game saw Hendy awarded a penalty kick on the Tumble 22 after a transgression at a ruck. To win the game the Hendy kicker stepped up but pulled his kick wide much to the relief of the Magpies players and supporters. With only minutes remaining and the clock ticking down Tumble made drive after drive at the Hendy try line. After several attempts to get over the whitewash it was left to outside half Davies to finally burst over for a try on the final whistle which he converted himself to make the score 19-26. This saw the Magpies take the lead for the first time in the game and secure a hard-fought win.

A tough game but great attitude from the boys in the second half after a slow start. Best wishes from all at the club to Liam Jones to left the field with injury in the second half.

Man of the Match: Tomos Raymond.

Scorers:

Tries – Tomos Raymond x2, Rhys Tobias, Morgan Davies

Conversions – Morgan Davies x3

Line-Up:

15. Lewis Moore, 14. Jack Griffiths, 13. Curtis Bowdler, 12. Gethin Davies, 11. Daniel Davies, 10. Morgan Davies, 9. Rhydian Davies; 1. Rhys Tobias, 2. Ashley Evans, 3. Jack Tucker, 4. Ryan Williams, 5. Rhys Jones, 6. Liam Jones, 7. Osian Flint, 8. Tomos Raymond (captain); Subs – 16. Steffan Dancey, 17. Dion James.

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