Tumble edge real thriller

TUMBLE maintained their unbeaten WRU Bowl record with a hard-fought 16-13 win in a fullblooded tie at a rain-sodden Cwmamman Park.

Veteran full-back Steve Hewitt gave the Magpies the lead with a penalty, but the visitors soon lost centre Scott Jones to a head injury, replaced by Alex Jones.

Amman fly-half Tom Caddell tied the scores with a penalty, but the visitors were winning good lineout ball from lock Ryan Lewis, while Nathan Willard made some good yardage for his side.

Two more Amman offences saw Hewitt make it 9-3. He did not miss a kick all game

Amman lost a man to the sin-bin and Tumble ended the half on the front foot, though Amman almost crossed when Dan Jones broke free, back-row colleague Alun Lewis chipped ahead and scrum-half Alex Williams was just denied a try.

With Nicky Allinson solid under the high ball, Amman were finding it hard to open up the Magpies’ defence.

It got a bit confrontational in the second half, and the referee finally lost his patience and Amman prop Rhys Philllips was red-carded for foul play, so Tom Thorneycroft switched to the front three. After another fracas home scrum-half Alex Williams also received a red card.

Amman’s remaining 13 men began to more than hold their own for the final 20 minutes. A Caddell penalty reduced the arrears to 9-6, but the visitors then nicked a crucial score when wing Ellis Lewis got through some weakish tackling to dive over. Hewitt converted.

Amman finished the stronger, helped when Tumble received two late yellow cards, including No. 9 Iwan Morgan.

Outstanding flanker Alun Lewis went over for a corner try, but Tumble held on for a deserved win.

Amman’s next game is on October 16 at Cwmgors. Tumble visit Cefneithin this Saturday.