Fixture

Error in score and match venue is from WRU website.

The Magpies made the short journey to Cae Carwyn James knowing that a win against local rivals Cefneithin RFC would be enough to move them top of the WRU Bowl District F1 table above Amman United RFC. A derby against the Green and Golds is always a difficult game but the Magpies started well when after a catch and drive at the line out and a few hits up the middle the Cefneithin defensive line parted like the Red Sea and hooker Dafydd Humphreys sprinted through the gap to cross the try line to the left of the posts. Acting captain Steven Hewitt added the conversion to make the score 0-7 after only four minutes played. Tumble were looking sharp with a strong lineout and scrum and plenty of pace behind. After ten minutes the Magpies extended their lead when Hewitt dissected the posts with a close-range penalty, score 0-10. A couple of minutes later Cefneithin had the opportunity to close the gap with a penalty of their own after Tumble were adjudged of not releasing at a ruck. Former Magpie Richard Watts stepped up, but dragged his kick wide of the posts. Tumble were playing some good stuff in passages and after a period of pressure they scored another penalty after 17 minutes through the reliable boot of Hewitt, 0-13. Straight from the restart the Cefneithin winger burst through a gap in midfield and deep into Tumble territory, a penalty was conceded and Watts brought the score back to 3-13. Cefen were now enjoying a period of dominance and could have closed the score further on 27 minutes when Watts missed a penalty kick at goal. The Magpies re-established themselves in the game and on 37 minutes after a sustained period of pressure drove over the Cefen try line only to be held up. Tumble again attacked from the resultant Cefneithin goal line drop out but were let down by again surrendering possession through another penalty. In the dying moments of the first half Cefneithin threatened in the Magpies 22 but solid defence saw them regain the ball and the referee blow for half time.

It was a solid start to the second half for Tumble with them putting their opponents under pressure, especially in the scrum where they drove through their opponents in the opening exchanges to win a penalty kick. Hewitt calmly slotted the ball to make the score 3-16. Tumble continued to surrender possession through penalties and Watts made the score 6-16 after 56 minutes with a well taken penalty from 35 metres. The Magpies forwards were working hard with second rows Ifan Samuel and Ryan Lewis showing up well. Samuel put in a great shift tackling anything that moved while his second-row partner Lewis put serious pressure on the Cefen lineout. Again, for all their possession Tumble could just not find their cutting edge, giving away penalties or losing control of the ball at critical times. After 60 minutes Tumble were awarded another penalty with Hewitt yet again splitting the uprights to extend the lead to 6-19. In the last five minutes both teams had opportunities but another two penalties from the boot of captain Hewitt saw the Magpies take the bragging rights with a 6-25 win. The win takes the Magpies three points clear of Amman United at the top of the WRU Bowl District F1 table, having played a game less. A win next week at home to Betws RFC will guarantee the Magpies top spot before their final game at home to Cefneithin.

Scorers:

Try – Dafydd Humphreys

Conversion – Steven Hewitt

Penalties – Steven Hewitt x6

Ymlaen Y Piod