Fixture

(Photo credit @Craffwr)

The Magpies travelled north to Ceredigion and the banks of the Afon Teifi on Saturday afternoon to face Lampeter Town RFC in the second round of the Specsavers National Bowl. Having played and lost to Lampeter during pre-season the Magpies were well aware of their opponents and the threat they posed - a great game was in prospect and it didn't disappoint.

Tumble started well when outside half Steven Hewitt crossed for a try within the first ten minutes. Hewitt added the conversion himself to make the score 0-7 to Tumble. Hewitt added to the score 10 minutes later with a penalty to open the score to 0-10 to the Magpies - so far so good. This appeared to kick start Lampeter into action and the Magpies began to lose a bit of shape. On the half hour mark Lampeter were back within three points with a converted try and two minutes later went over the whitewash again for another try. The conversation was missed making the score 12-10 to the men in Claret and Blue. The score remained the same until half time.

The second half saw Lampeter extend their lead within the first ten minutes with another converted try, 19-10. With Lampeter in the ascendancy the Magpies needed to dig in and show heart and this was personified when centre and captain Steffan Price crossed for a try which was again converted by the accurate boot of Hewitt, 19-17. Showing great character Tumble regained the lead three minutes later with another Hewitt penalty, making it 19-20 to the visitors. With ten minutes to go Hewitt struck another penalty to extend Tumble's lead to 19-20 and require Lampeter to score a try to retake the lead. The later stages of the game saw the Magpies forced to make a number of changes. Showing great fitness and determination their held out concerted Lampeter pressure in the last five minutes with only 13 players on the field due to injuries and a yellow card. 19-23 the final score and despite some battered and bruised bodies safe passage into the draw for the third round of the Specsavers National Bowl. The players returned to the changing rooms to be tune of the club victory song 'Take it Easy' by the Eagles much to the delight of the travelling Magpies supporters.

Man of the Match: Young openside flanker Dafydd Griffiths who tackled his heart out all afternoon.

Next week it's back to league action with a Cwm Gwendraeth derby away at Trimsaran RFC, kick-off 2.30pm. With both teams sitting at the top of the Specsavers Division 3 West B table with 14 points each it promises to be some game. Come and support the boys.

#YmlaenYPiod       #TakeItEasy    #RoadToThePrincipality