Match Report:

The first youth match played at Tumble for four years was a physical encounter and the young home side showed they will not be intimidated by older opposition this season. After some tight early exchanges the Tumble back line broke away for busy scrum half Owain Jones to open the scoring. He was soon followed over the try line by impressive debutant second row Haydn Pugh following a forward drive. Pugh had an influential afternoon at the lineout where he secured a lion’s share of the possession for the hosts. There was over physical play at times and the referee had his hands full, finishing the half with a stern warning for a Furnace forward following a wild haymaker.

The second half saw the Tumble forwards exerting a grip on possession and hard working number eight Rhys Jones drove over for a try converted by Daniel Griffiths. Frustration at the lack of possession boiled over and there was a red card for a Furnace player. This seemed to cool things down but the Magpies then dominated and played some good rugby with Mathew Lemon making numerous midfield breaks. From a driving lineout Pugh and prop Tomos Wyn were driven over, with the industrious prop claiming the score.

Chances went begging for the home side with final passes going astray and they were forced to play the last ten minutes with 14 men due to a yellow card. However, as possession kept flowing, a simple blind side scrum move saw no.8 Jones feeding scrum half Jones who sent winger James Hunt over in the corner for a final score. An entertaining encounter and a sigh of relief as youth rugby returned to Tumble.

-- Gwyn