Fixture

This top of the table clash was a turgid affair where Tumble ran out victorious thanks to a penalty from Steve Hewitt in the seventy eight minute. In a match where the lead changed hands five times, both sets of forwards fronted up and little open play was seen. The Magpies had a chance to take the lead, but, opting for a scrum instead of kicking the penalty, they were unable to convert pressure into points as Trimsaran’s defence held out.

The first score fell to Tumble when, following good lineout work from Gareth Beynon, the ball went out to Hewitt who ghosted through a gap and fed winger Sam Jones for a try in the corner. Trimsaran countered with big No. 8 Steff Roberts gaining yards in Tumble territory. Bulky loose head Osian Flint tackled hard all day and gained some good turnover work. The next score came from Trim when they created an overlap and centre Bonnell scored for Phillips to convert with twenty three minutes gone.

Both forwards carried the ball, Nathan Willard was direct and flanker Dafydd Griffiths put in some telling tackles. With play mainly centred around both ten metre lines, Tumble retook the lead when Hewitt banged over a penalty from 34 metres with thirty three minutes gone. A further penalty by Hewitt five minutes later game the Magpies a slender lead.

Tumble kicked off the second half and Trimsaran gathered and ran back at them. Some forward drives took play to half way and, with some poor tackling, they broke the defence and centre Williams scored a converted try running in unopposed from twenty five metres out.

With Trimsaran celebrating the lead again, they pressed but, when they lost possession, outside half Hewitt kicked forward, this led to a race towards Trim’s line, a kick again by Hewitt and he outstripped his opposite number and gathered to score wide out.

Back in front, the Magpies tried as they might to get a score, Flint bulldozed forward but Trimsaran held firm. Trimsaran received a yellow card but still the Magpies couldn’t make the advantage count. Hewitt and Phillips exchanged penalties with ten minutes to go.

With five minutes remaining, Trimsaran retook the lead when Phillips kicked a penalty twenty metres out. There was still a twist to come, Tumble pressed but were held up close to the line. Tackling manfully they pressed again in the visitors twenty two and a penalty for offside with two minutes left gave Steve Hewitt the opportunity to retake the lead. He slotted the three points.  

Trimsaran pressed from the restart, Tumble held firm with last ditch defence, the ball was turned over, booted off field and the referee blew for full time.

An ugly hard win which will need a lot of work on the training field to sort out if the Magpies want to press for honours this season.

Tumble’s man of the match was young Osian Flint, for tireless work and competing well in the set pieces.

A copy of the matchday programme can be found at the following link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/10qYlaynnSpDGjkRNK5bWpZ8jyx7VfsJI/view?usp=sharing

Ymlaen Y Piod