Fixture

Another step forward in the Specsavers Bowl competition when Tumble extinguished the hopes of Three East Central leaders Canton in a windswept and rain sodden game at Parc y Mynyddmawr.

Playing with the elements, Tumble missed an early penalty, however the mercurial Steve Hewitt at outside half made amends when he kicked two penalties in quick succession to give the Magpies a six point lead after thirteen minutes.  Canton defended well and winning useful lineout ball were able to make inroads into home territory. Despite some slick handling, they could not penetrate a well organised defence with Nathan Willard and warhorse Darren Williams smashing anything above ground.

Securing ample ball in the linesout through Gareth Beynon and Ryan Lewis, scrum half Iwan Morgan distributed quickly. Hewitt marshalled behind and, kept the Magpies going forward with some astute kicking. Pressing close, Tumble were held up, classy centre Rich Davies distributed well and Steff Price looked sharp once again.

Rare incursions into Tumble territory were dealt with by Osian Flint and smiley Rhys Lewis and when the won turnover ball, Hewitt was able to take play upfield to the visitors twenty two, Canton knocked on allowing the solid Magpies scrum to have the put in some eighteen metres out. Winning the ball, Hewitt found a gap like the parting of the Red Sea and he glided through of a try which he converted. Canton had words, and the referee awarded the Magpies a penalty from the restart. Hewitt’s kick fell sort and Canton ran from deep. Slick handling and smooth interplay got them into Tumble’s half, and a drive took play to Tumble’s twenty two. The alert Owain Davies and James Stephens, held up the attack and half time arrived with the Magpies 13-0 up.

The second half saw Canton with element and driving rain but, despite two early penalties, they kicked to the corner but Tumble’s resolute defence held firm, Nathan Willard led by example and put in big hits.

Tumble’s nerves were eased when, following a charge down and catalogue of ping pong handling with the ball, wing Michael Edwards was on hand to gather and race over for a converted try after forty five minutes. Try as the might, Canton were unable to make any ground with the elements as the Magpies faced up to every incursion.

Eighteen minutes were left when Tumble, having used their front row substitutes were able to dominate their opponents. A kick ahead was hacked into touch my Canton and the subsequent line out was caught and driven over by Mike Powell from fifteen metres. Five minutes later, replacement Alex Jones gathered a kick ahead and he outstripped an onrushing defence to score under the posts for Steve Hewitt to convert. Hewitt’s personal tally of seventeen points was just reward for his man of the match performance.

There was no coming back for Canton and Tumble were deserved winners. They now reach the semi-finals in a match to played on March 21^st.

A copy of the matchday programme can be found at the following link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1T7wSRDZBB5NFd6o7vS8l2WYzWOu299Xt/view?usp=sharing

Ymlaen Y Piod