Fixture

The Magpies made the short journey to Cae Carwyn James on Saturday afternoon for the first Cwm Gwendraeth Derby of the season against Cefnethin RFC. To allow squad rotation Tumble made a number of changes from the team that had played Betws RFC the previous Saturday and started the game on the back foot against a Cefen side who looked determined to get one over their local rivals. Under pressure the Magpies found themselves down to 14 men after 12 minutes when experienced lock forward Gareth Beynon was sent to the bin after a transgression at a ruck. It was while a man down that the Magpies put together their first real attacking move of the game when an arching run  by outside half Scott Jones saw him release full back Steve Hewitt who beat the covering defence to score in the corner. From a wide angle on the left hand touchline Hewitt's conversation attempt went wide, leaving the score 0-5 to the visitors. Unfortunately this was not to signal the Magpies getting into their rhythm and establishing themselves in the game. Again Cefen seemed to have greater urgency and aggression at the break down and took the lead after 27 minutes when their left wing broke away to score a try under the posts which was converted by veteran former Magpie Richard Watts. Watts was to have a telling contribution and he did so again just before halftime when he broke through a Tumble tackle to score under the posts. He added the conversion to his own try to make the score 14-5 to the Green and Golds which is how it remained at the break.

The second half started similarly to the first for the Magpies with them absorbing Cefnethin pressure and the Green and Golds nearly scoring after three minutes but for a dropped pass. Tumble started to re-establish themselves in the game and could have scored themselves six minutes later but for a bad pass and a knock on when the try looked likely. Possession now went back and forth between the two sides and the Magpies had opportunities to create something but were too lateral in their running and displayed poor handling at key moments. The second half progressed with no additions to the scoring and it looked like the game may finish at 14-5. Late in the game it appeared that Tumble's chances of getting a score to claw Cefen's lead back had been given a boost when a Cefnethin replacement was shown the yellow card by the referee after 70 minutes. The game was now in injury time and with the Magpies deep in Cefnethin territory a loose ball saw Cefen launch a 70 metre counterattack which ultimately resulted in their wing scoring under posts. Watts slotted over the easy conversation to make the score 21-5 to the home side which is how it remained despite late pressure from Tumble that saw Gareth Beynon held up over the try line.

The boys now have a week to get over this disappointment and refocus on Round 1 of the Specsavers National Bowl where they travel to Llanelli side New Dock Stars RFC, kick off 2.30pm.

Ymlaen Y Piod