Fixture

The Magpies welcomed Tywi Valley side Llangadog RFC to Parc y Mynydd Mawr on Saturday afternoon in Admiral National League Division 3 West B looking for a win to keep them top of the table. Allowing for squad rotation Tumble made 10 changes, 7 in the pack from the team that had started against Penygroes the previous week. The Magpies started off strongly and had their opponents defending from the kick off. Some slick handling and powerful running saw centre and captain Steffan Price force his way over for a try after only two minutes, which reflected how strongly Tumble had started the game. Outside half Steven Hewitt pulled the conversion attempt to the left of the uprights which saw the score remain 5-0 to the home side. The try seemed to stur Llangadog into life and it didn't take long for them to strike back with their centre scoring a try of their own after eight minutes, the conversation was added to give Llangadog a 5-7 lead. The Magpies stormed back and put pressure on their opponents with wing Nicky Allinson going close and number 8 Steffan Davies being held up over the line. A minute after Davies was held up dynamic flanker Callum Williams burst through a couple of would be tacklers to go over for a try under the posts. This was after the culmination of a fine move that had seen the Llangadog defence stretched the full width of the field before play was switched back the other way. Hewitt added the conversation, 12-7 to the Magpies after 20 minutes played. Tumble were now on top putting Llangadog under pressure with some powerful running and slick handling. Wing Mike Edwards saw himself bundled into touch at the corner flag on 26 minutes. Hewitt slotted a penalty over after 29 minutes to give Tumble a 15-7 lead. With six minutes left of the half Magpies' wing Allinson saw yellow when he was adjudged by referee Paul Richards to have slapped the ball down whilst Llangadog were trying to spread the ball out to the wing. A penalty was awarded which Llangadog gratefully  accepted from in front of the posts, 15-10 which is how the score remained until half time. 

The second half saw Harry McBryde replace the injured number 8 Steffan Davies in the backrow. A fantastic run by centre Scott Jones saw the Magpies go close before a knock on holted progress. On 49 minutes the Magpies scored an inspired try through flanker Callum Williams. Picking the ball up outside the Llangadog 22, Williams burst through some weak tackling to sprint for the line. Williams went over for the try under  post which was easily converted by Hewitt, 22-10. After losing young prop Rhys Tobias to the sin bin on 55 minutes Tumble continued to dominate possession and territory without being able to convert either into points. Llangadog still posed Tumble problems when in possession and set alarm bells ringing on 36 minutes when following conserted period of pressure they went over for an unconverted try, 22-15 and back within a converted try. The conversion attempt ricocheted off the post to the relief of the Tumble faithful. Deep in injury time Tumble were still looking for a fourth try which would secure them the wining bonus point.  A goalline dropout from Llangadog saw Tumble regather and drive down the middle of the field. The ball was shifted to outside half Hewitt who passed the ball out to his left. The pass was low but the ball was hacked on with experienced wing Allinson giving chase. Allinson stabbed the ball past the defensive line with his foot and then saw it bounce beautifully up into his hands to enable him to dive over for a poacher's try. The conversation attempt from Hewitt went narrowly wide before referee Richards blew for full time and a 27-15 bonus point win. 

A copy of the match day programme can be found HERE.

A good win against a touch and determined side and opens the gap on second placed Cefneithin RFC to two points. Next week the Magpies are scheduled to travel to third placed Llandeilo RFC. 

Ymlaen Y Piod