Fixture

Despite the wind and rain that has lashed West Wales in the last week the Youth XV made the trip to Brynamman RFC on Saturday afternoon eager for a game after last weekend's disappointing last minute cancellation by Hendy RFC. What transpired wasn't pretty but it had passion, grit, determination and brotherhood with the Youth mounting a monumental second half comeback to clinch the victory 14-17.  With a number of older players being unavailable due to University commitments the Magpies begun the game with four new starters and another newbie joining the fold from the bench after 15 minutes. The superb attitude within the squad was typified by winger Dan Davies playing out of position at openside flanker while Ashley Evans still deputises at 2 without the presence of a recognised hooker.  Brynamman started off strongly against the much changed Magpies and raced into a 14-0 lead after only 16 minutes. Facing what could have been a tough day at the office this 'band of brothers' didn't drop their heads and steadily got a foothold back in the game as players got used to the new combinations in the team. Through continued controlled phase after phase forward play Tumble began to cause problems to Brynamman's strong team. This constant pressure was rewarded when the ever powerful prop Jack Tucker went over for an unconverted try just before the interval.

With half-time score 14-5 a stern rally from the coaching team was needed and the boys reacted positively. The second half saw the Magpies take a firm grip on the game and Brynamman never looked like scoring further points due to immense defensive effort put in from every player wearing the black and white hoops. The Magpies' effort was soon rewarded when the industrious and hard working Osian Flint went over for their second try after some powerful forward drives. Scrum half and vice-captain Morgan Davies stepped up to add the conversion to make the score 14-12 to Brynamman. Showing commitment, fitness and teamwork Tumble were right back in the game and looking for the opportunity to take the lead for the first time. Brynamman, looking for a score themselves launched another attack and where deep in Magpies territory when the ball was turned over and passed to youngster Kieran Jones, playing at 10. Jones popped the ball to older brother Alex who set out on a powerful 70 metre winding run (leaving a number of would be defenders in his wake) to score the try of the match and give Tumble the lead for the first time in the game, 14-17.  The conversion was missed but it did not matter as the Magpies held out for their first league win of the season. It's now 1 win from 2 league fixtures played and the boys look forward to welcoming near neighbours Cefneithin RFC to Parc y Mynydd Mawr on Saturday, 6 October - kick-off 2.30pm.

Special mention must go the players making their first starts for the team: Taylor Stone, Kieran Lewis, Curtis Bowdler, Jack Griffiths and Rhys Jones. Also, best wishes to fullback Rhydian Davies and we hope he makes a speedy recovery.

Man of the Match: WIng Daniel Davies for playing 7 for the first time, putting in a great shift and not looking out of place in the forwards.

Message from Selwyn: #massiveproudcoach

Scorers: 

Tries - Jack Tucker, Osian Flint, Alex Jones

Conversion - Morgan Davies

Line-up:

15. Rhydian Davies

14. Kieran Lewis

13. Curtis Bowdler

12. Alex Jones

11. Taylor Stone

10. Kieran Jones

9. Morgan Davies (vice captain)

1. Rhys Tobias

2. Ashley Evans

3. Jack Tucker

4. Ryan Williams

5. Osian Flint

6. Rhys Jones

7. Daniel Davies

8. Tomos Raymond (captain)

Subs:

16. Jack Griffiths

17. Gathin Davies

Ymlaen Y Piod