Fixture

The Magpies welcomed pool topping Amman United RFC to Parc y Mynydd Mawr for the first home game the 1st XV had played since March 2020. In front of a decent crowd Tumble started with great intent and saw young prop Rhys Tobias, making his first senior start go over for a try to the right of the posts after five minutes. The try came after a period of sustained pressure and a powerful midfield burst from captain Steffan Price. Outside half Steven Hewitt stepped up to slot the ball through the uprights and make the score 7-0 to the Magpies. Tumble were completely dominating territory and saw their lead stretched after nine minutes when the clinical Hewitt slotted home a penalty kick, 10-0. After being unable to get out their own half for the first 15 minutes Amman started to make some inroads into Tumble territory and were awarded a penalty in front of the posts after 18 minutes which was pulled wide. Again Tumble made gains into Amman territory and were awarded another penalty after 22 minutes when an Amman defender intensionally slapped the ball down, the player in question fortunate not to get a card for the transgression. Hewitt stepped up and slotted the penalty to stretch the score to 13-0. On the half hour mark Amman stretched the Magpies defence and saw a double tackle from young winger Taylor Stone, making his first team debut attempt to keep the Amman wing out. Unfortunately the second tackle was adjudged to be high and saw the wing yellow carded. Amman continued to pressurise but the defence of the 14-man Tumble side held firm until the line was breached just before halftime to make the score 13-5 at the break. 

The Magpies started the second half with real purpose and some slick interplay saw flanker Steffan Owen, making his first start since returning to the club from Brynamman RFC score to the right of the posts. As Owen grounded the ball it appeared that the Amman defender slid into his back knees first but the player wasn't adjudged to have committed a foul, despite protests from the home team and support. Ten minutes into the second half wing Stone was adjudged not to have retreated sufficiently at a penalty which saw him receive a red card for a second yellow. The Magpies were now down to 14 players but upped effort levels to make the numerical disadantage not obvious. Seven minutes later the Magpies were awarded another penalty which Hewitt slotted over to make the score 23-5. The 14 men of Tumble were putting pressure on Amman and nearly scored another try when it appeared that replacement flanker Ryan Williams had ripped the ball from an Amman defender in the in-goal area and grounded it, but no try was awarded by the referee. With 60 minutes gone Amman worked an overlap on the right to score a fine try and bring the score back to 23-10. The Magpies defended bravely as the Amman threw everything at them and had to play the last ten minutes with 13 players when flanker Steffan Owen was yellow carded after being adjudged to have upended an Amman player in the tackle. Tumble dug in and showed great resolve to prevent any further scoring despite Amman having a two man advantage.

A great effort and four points well earned, da iawn bois.

Man of the Match: Richard Davies. Fantastic defensive effort from the experienced centre which set the tone for his team mates.

Next week sees local rivals Cefneithin visit Parc y Mynydd Mawr for a Cwm Gwendraeth derby. Kick-off is at 2.30pm, come and support the boys.

Ymlaen Y Piod