Division Three West

Tumble 26 Pontyberem 20

Tumble won this derby battle against Gwendraeth valley rivals Pontyberem thanks to some stern defensive work.

The game turned out to be a kicking duel between two accurate kickers with Pont’s Daniel Griffiths scoring 15 points with five penalties.

Tumble started brightly and, when their forwards had made inroads into a weak defence, the ball was popped to prop Dafydd Humphries, whose turn of speed from the 22, saw him over for a try which outside-half Steven Hewitt converted.

Griffiths kicked a penalty after 16 minutes but the Magpies scored their second try when scrum half Chris Davies disrupted his opposite number to allow flanker Aled Lewis to race home from 20 metres. Man of the match Hewitt stepped up to convert.

The sides swapped penalties and, with Tumble looking dangerous through some strong running from young Leighton Mckenna and the evergreen Gareth Jones, it was clear further points would come.

With ten minutes of the half remaining, Hewitt kicked a long-range penalty while Griffiths slotted two more to reduce arrears to eight points.

Tumble suffered a yellow card and started the second half with fourteen men.

The home front five acquitted themselves well and second rows Gareth Beynon and captain Hefin Dumbrill won good ball from the line-outs.

Strong running from replacement Rhys Lewis ensured Pontyberem had to defend resolutely and the pressure told as Hewitt kicked two further penalties after infringements by Pont.

After 58 minutes, he added his fifth successful penalty from 30 metres.

But Tumble relaxed their control once again and allowed Pontyberem back into the game when, following a scrum in home 22, scrum half MacFarlane exploited the blind-side to score in the corner with 17 minutes remaining.

Back came Tumble from the restart and, with Griffiths isolated following a kick from McKenna, the resultant penalty by Hewitt provide breathing space.

Full back Griffiths received a yellow card for the infringement.

Tumble played out time to record their first home win of the season.