Division Three West

Tumble 13 Haverfordwest 20

Two minutes’ loss of concentration cost the Magpies valuable points in this relegation battle.

All season Tumble have lacked cohesion behind the scrum and this game proved no different.

The front eight were dominant throughout and they also shaded passion in the line-outs.

Early exchanges saw the Magpies take the lead when the reliable Steve Hewitt slotted a penalty from 30 metres out after 14 minutes play.

Haverfordwest replied five minutes later when Sutton converted a penalty after Tumble were offside in midfield.

Both sides were edgy throughout knowing the importance the result and when Haverfordwest did gain territory in the home 22, via a line-outs or scrum, they could not capitalise.

Second rows Hefin Dumbrill and gentle giant Gareth Beynon dominated the line-outs and pinched ball frequently to ensure things were finely balanced for an intriguing second half.

After the interval, the Magpies drove hard at the visitors and were unlucky not to score when they moved the ball wide only for the referee to call an infringement.

Dominant up front, they gained territory on the visitors’ ten-metre line but, when the ball was spilled, Haverfordwest countered and found Tumble exposed, allowing centre Jones ran in the score wide out from 40 metres with 48 minutes gone.

From the restart, Haverfordwest gathered, attacked the onrushing defence, and a looped pass saw replacement O’Leary in space on halfway and he scored under the posts for a try which Jones converted.

With 65 minutes gone. Haverfordwest scored a breakaway try when wing Candler went over.

Five minutes remained when Tumble’s scrum pushed Haverfordwest back on their own five-metre line. Their forwards popped up and referee Richmond awarded a penalty try which Hewitt converted.

Try as they might they could not repeat this feat and ended up with a losing bonus point.