Division Three West

Tumble 3 Tycroes 39

Tumble’s dismal form continued with a home defeat against high-flying Tycroes.

With the Magpies again fielding an imaginative back division, it was the forwards who provided the backbone to their performance.

Flanker Rhys Lewis looked lively with ball in hand and the forwards drove well at their opposite numbers.

The game was played at a quick tempo with turnovers prevalent. Tycroes opened the scoring with a penalty after 12 minutes play by full back Carwyn Richards.

Tumble’s veteran outside-half Leighton Mckenna kicked astutely but Tycroes were always keen to counter attack.

With Tumble winning good ball from the linesout through Hefin Dumbrill and Nathan Willard, they were able to gain ground in opposition territory.

The visitors had second row James yellow carded for killing the ball but Tycroes held firm.

They were also able to get a drive on of their own from a lineout on halfway and were rewarded with a penalty after thirty eight minutes which Richards duly converted.

The Magpies restarted and were able to gather and drive at the visitors but, when dispossessed in the visitors twenty two, Tycroes quickly spread the ball out wide and winger Tancock ran in unopposed from 40 metres to score a converted try.

Turning round behind, Tumble reduced the arrears when full back Steve Hewitt kicked a 30-metre effort.

Tycroes pressed for a score and, with Tumble defending with stout work from flanker Darren Williams, Tycroes were awarded a succession of scrums close to the Magpies line. Three infringements led to the referee awarding a penalty try after fifty minutes.

Captain Cooper was yellow carded for the visitors and with Tumble pressing close to the visitors line, they again got turned over and the ball was sped wide for wing Hopkins to run in unopposed from 50 metres.

Two minutes later, another breakaway from defence allowed centre Steff Jones to score under the posts.

The 14 points in three minutes were further compounded when centre Chris Lemon ran in from halfway to complete the scoring after 72 minutes.