Fixture

Having gone the best part of a month with no game the Magpies returned to league action on Saturday afternoon as they welcomed Llandeilo RFC to Parc y Mynydd Mawr in Admiral League Division 3 West B. The Ravens of Llandeilo arrived in Cwm Gwendraeth with a perfect record of 4 wins out of 4 so the game promised to be a tough test for the Magpies as they looked to build on a solid recent run of form following an indifferent start to the season. The game started well for the Magpies with them taking a 3-0 lead after two minutes following a well struck penalty from fullback Steven Hewitt. Tumble were in control in the set piece, especially the scrum where the Magpies pack had Llandeilo in all manner of difficulties all afternoon. Tumble were playing some nice stuff but couldn't seem to click into top gear and put their opponents under sustained pressure. Too often promising moves came to an end without making an impact on the scoreboard. Quarter of an hour in Llandeilo were penalised for handling at a ruck. Hewitt attempted to extend the lead but his penalty attempt from 40 metres fell short of the crossbar. On 23 minutes, against the run of play Llandeilo worked the overlap to see their fullback go over for a try wide out on the left touchline. From a wide angle the conversion was missed giving Llandeilo a 3-5 lead. Tumble didn't have to wait long to retake the lead a scrum 30 metres out from the Llandeilo try line saw the Magpies 8 demolish their opponents. The ball was swept out by scrum half Iwan Morgan before being quickly worked through the hands out wide for winger Scott Jones to score a lovely try wide out on the right. Having missed the last three months with a jaw injury it was nice for Jones to mark his return with a well taken try. The conversion attempt went wide but the Magpies were back in the lead 8-5. The remainder of the half saw Tumble press but being unable to turn possession into points. Again knock ons and penalties conceded in key positions put pay to scoring opportunities. The last three minutes of the half half saw both teams down to 14 men following yellow cards being issued, captain Steffan Price entering the bin for the Magpies.

Within one minute of the second half commencing Tumble found themselves down to thirteen players when young second row Tomos Samuel was also sin binned for pushing an opponent. With a numerical advantage the Ravens put Tumble under pressure and draw level at 8-8 with a well taken penalty from 22 metres out. The Magpies soon have their own opportunity to knick at goal when the ref blows for a penalty instead of playing advantage when Tumble have a three man overlap. Hewitt doesn't connect well with the attempt and the ball goes wide. Llandeilo have the home under pressure but the Magpies defence holds firm just short of their line, allowing the ball to be turned over and Hewitt to clear their lines. On 53 minutes the Magpies scored a cracking team through prop Osian Flint. A driving lineout near the half way saw the pack drive into the Ravens half before scrum half Morgan swept the ball left. Some nice running saw the ball taken further into Llandeilo territory before being switched back right. The ball found its way to Hewitt who floated out a miss two pass out to replacement wing Nate Richards who took the ball on at pace. The resultant ruck saw Morgan arc across field before picking out rampaging prop Osian Flint who cut a lovely angle and stormed over from seven metres out. Hewitt landed the conversion to make the score 15-8. Tumble now had the bit between their teeth and back they came again against Llandeilo almost immediately from the restart. A scrum five saw the Magpies pack demolish their opponents, prompting the referee to ask for a reset. Again the Tumble forwards moved the scrum forward towards the line before it started wheeling around, number 8 Steffan Owen dug the ball out and popped it up to scrum half Morgan who fired out a reverse pass towards the touchline where the ball bobbled along the ground before being rathered by the oncoming winger Nate Richards. Richards ducked under a tackle cut inside and went over for a well taken try. Hewitt stepped up and nailed the conversion from a narrow angle out on the right to make the score 22-8 with 57 minutes played. The Magpies were now in the mood and eager to score the fourth try which would secure the bonus point. From a lineout 5 metres out the Magpies secured the ball through second row Ryan Lewis and started the drive before somehow loosing possession, which allowed Llandeilo to clear. The ball was gathered by Scott Jones and some slick handling behind saw the ball spun out to wing Richards who gained ground and took the tackle. Slick service from scrum half Morgan and his now halfback partner Hewitt saw the ball spun wide to centre Kian O'Reilly who cut a lovely angle to sprint in from 15 metres. Again Hewitt added the extras to make the score 29-8 with 73 minutes played. In their best performance of the season so far and reminiscent of some from last season's title wining campaign, Tumble were hungry for another score and this quickly came from outstanding prop forward Osian Flint. A barnstorming run from young replacement flanker Elis Vaughan and some superb support play from his fellow forwards saw Tumble work the ball into the Llandeilo 22. Quick service from the ruck saw the ball wipped out to Hewitt who fired the ball to the marauding Osian Flint who cut a beautiful angle to sprint in from 10 metres and ground the ball under the posts for a great try. Hewitt added the easy conversion to make the score 36-8. Despite some sustained pressure over the last five minutes and a yellow card for the work horse back rower Nathan Willard Llandeilo were unable to penertrate a superb Tumble defensive line.

A great second half performance and certainly the best of this season so far. Great work rate in attack and attitude in defence from the whole squad. Notable performances coming from prop Liam Willard, the hard working backrow of Steffan Owen, Nathan Willard and openside Dafydd Griffiths, scrum half Iwan Morgan and replacement wing Nate Richards. Man of the match goes to two try prop Osian Flint.

A copy of the matchday programme can be found at the following link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DQydLOjnEP0PhEABPnxKE-vOXSCJDdIK/view?usp=sharing

Next week, the boys make the short trip to second placed Penygroes RFC in what should be a cracking local derby. Kick off 2.30pm, come and support the boys.

Ymlaen Y Piod