Fixture

The Magpies welcomed old rivals Pontyberem RFC to Parc y Mynydd Mawr on Saturday afternoon for the first Cwm Gwendraeth derby of the season. The Blue and Blacks arrived in Tumble full of confidence after strengthening their squad significantly over the closed season and gaining a fine win over a strong Burry Port outfit the previous weekend. The young Tumble outfit were on the other hand looking for their first win and points of the season after a disappointing defeat at Tycroes in their first league game last Saturday. The game started off an even affair and the Magpies missed the opportunity to take the lead after four minutes when centre Steffan Price pulled a penalty kick wide. Tumble however took the lead on 20 minutes when Price slotted over a penalty after a high tackle from a Bont player. The Magpies further extended their lead on 35 minutes when full back Sam Jones used his pace to break away down the right 40 metres out from the Pontyberem line. Jones drew the tackle and released inside centre Jac Edwards who powered towards the corner, drew the Bont full back and released wing Jonny Lloyd who ran in from 5 meters before arching under the posts to ground the ball. Price added the conversion to give the Magpies a 10-0 lead which they maintained until half-time. 

The second-half started with Pontyberem trying to up the tempo and get back into the game. Tumble seemed to ease off and give away penalties around the ruck area which his how Bont got on the scoreline after 50 minutes. The penalty was converted from in front of the posts to make the score 10-3 to the Magpies. The Tumble forwards now started to develop their mauling game and scored their second try of the game after 63 minutes when captain Steffan Owen went over after a 20 metre rolling maul which was reminiscent of the Tumble during the glory days of the 1980's. The conversion was missed giving Tumble a 15-3 lead and crutially putting them two scores ahead. Tumble were now pressurising Pontyberem with a lot of play taking place in the away team's 22. After a number of driving lineouts and forward drives tempers boiled over with Pontyberem number 8 Delfrig Treharne shown a straight red card for making contact with the head of a Tumble player at a ruck with his boot. With the numerical advantage Tumble went looking for another try and were unlucky not to score again following another typical bulldozering run from centre Edwards. The third try did however come with four minutes left on the clock when runs by Price and Edwards saw Sam Jones released and sprint 10 metres to score near the corner flag. The conversion was missed but it didn't matter when four minutes later the referee blew up to secure the victory for the Magpies, 20-3 much to the delight of the home players and supporters.

Special mention to Iwan Morgan and Jac Edwards who both had terrific games with their powerful running and offloading, young second-row Ryan Lewis with his lineout and general support play and the Willard brothers who both carried well in the forwards.

Next week the boys travel to Loughor RFC, who after losing to Burry Port on Saturday will be looking to get back to wining ways. Kick-off is at 2.30pm come and support the boys. 

A copy of the matchday programme can be found at the following link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_6Gzfgk6teqWBhoPwLnQkEUFwsTWDZhn/view?usp=sharing

Ymlaen Y Piod