A SUPERB season was capped when Tumble captain Derek Lewis lifted the SA Brains Bowl against hard and uncompromising opponents Mumbles.
The early pressure came from Mumbles through some fine driving mauls and only heroic tackling from the Magpies prevented an early score.
The pressure told when Mumbles won a lineout in Tumble's 22, No. 8 Koloi drove at the defence, Tumble were committed and wing Tom Milliship scored an unconverted try out wide.
Tumble reorganised and started to gather momentum with Rhodri Jones and Chris Morris carrying the ball effectively.
Tumble won a lineout and, with Rhodri Jones making ground, a Nicky Allinson's hack on caused problems.
He regathered the ball well inside Mumbles' 22 and his slipped pass saw centre James Plimmer on hand to score with just under 20 minutes gone. Steven Hewitt converted.
Cerith Humphries' trusty right boot kept Mumbles pinned in their own half and, with the Magpies winning a scrum 40 metres out, Derek Lewis sucked in the defensive cover.
His pass was collected by Jeremy Davies whose brilliant angle of running split the defence in two. He fed Humphries who romped in unopposed from 25 metres for the unconverted try.
Mumbles struck a penalty 28 metres out to reduce arrears.
The signs were there that Mumbles were creaking as Hefin Dumbrill and Rhodri Jones were beginning to secure good lineout possession and a darting run by Richard Rees posed problems for Mumbles on the flank.
Aled Evans worked well with his forwards and the back row stopped any Mumbles momentum.
Jeremy Davies and James Jones urged their pack onwards with crunching tackles and probing runs but it was the boots of Hewitt and Humphries that won the territorial battle.
A line-out just inside the Magpies ten metre line saw Aled Evans feed Derek Lewis. The ever alert Rhodri Jones gathered and hared upfield to the opposing 22. He was tackled but Tumble had numbers and Nicky Allinson touched down for another unconverted try to give Tumble a nine point lead.
Back came Mumbles with some rumbling drives and eventually a drive close to the Magpies line saw Richard Harries being awarded a try which Lee Davies converted.
Tumble pressed and some smart work by Hewitt saw him almost score but for a cynical foul and Dan Wright was shown the yellow card.
Hewitt kicked the penalty from 20 metres but the score was cancelled out almost from the restart when Davies replied from 27 metres.
A lengthy delay in play when Rhodri Jones was carried off four minutes from time left the Magpies nervous, but Hewitt settled matters on the stroke of time with his second successful penalty from 24 metres.
He was also named SA Brain's man of the match with Mr Huw Rees presenting the trophies to the victorious Tumble team.
The Magpies have certainly soared to new heights this season and have ended a twelve year drought of silverware with two major trophies.
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