Match Report: Tumble's youth side hosted Brynaman at Pontiets on Saturday in a hard and uncompromising game which had the referee working overtime. The scene was set early on as Magpies hooker James Stephens was stamped relentlessly, leading to him eventually having to leave the field. Unfortunately the game was littered with similar incidents but a lovely break by Brynaman outside half Steffan Rees paved the way for some rugby and Rees crossed for an excellent score which he converted himself. The Magpies fought back and won a penalty within Brynaman's half which outside half Daniel Evans slotted over. Outside halves Evans and Rees kicked intelligently, both attempting to dictate the pace of the game, Welsh squad member Evans succeeding despite some dubious close attention including a very crude late tackle.

A series of penalties near the Brynaman line saw Tumble go close but the visitors' defence held out and hacked clear. With Brynaman attacking however Tumble winger James Hunt intercepted in midfield to race 70 metres for a try under the posts converted by Evans. Within minutes Brynaman were level - Tumble thought they had a penalty for holding on in midfield but the referee punished the defending side and Rees kicked the ensuing penalty to reach half time with the scores tied. Both sides were evenly matched but with Tumble having lost both lineout jumpers and their hooker in midweek Brynaman held the edge at the lineout as the Magpies struggled to gain possession.

The second half followed a similar pattern but Tumble struck first with a further penalty by Evans. There was less of a flow to the second period however with the referee having to blow far too often as intimidation became the name of the game. Both teams tackled tirelessly with no one typifying the Magpies effort more than Rhydian Jones.

Brynaman struck the winning blow as no.8 Joel Spurway crossed for a try following a good driving maul by the Brynaman forwards. There was still time for the Magpies to attempt a drop goal and long range penalty but the visitors held out. The Tumble coaching staff were happy to get their players off the field without further injuries and praised the tremendous commitment of their boys who are all first year youth. As in the previous drawn match with Llandovery, having their lineout forwards available would have made all the difference.

-- Gwyn