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The Saints welcomed Tumble who are top of Division 3B West with 5 wins from 7. With St Clears top of Division 3A West with 6 wins from 8. Progression for the Saints in the bowl saw us beat Wrexham last month with a strong performance against Wrexham wining 34 – 0, whilst Tumble had a bye. Both teams in the Bowl pool stages where unbeaten as such a competitive fixture is expected today.

The Saints started well and gained the upper hand and a sustained attack on the Tumble try line, saw ruck after ruck until St Clears spread the ball and worked a three man overlap to score a try, the conversion was missed making it 5-0 after 11 minutes. Five minutes later the Saints found themselves further ahead after a converted a penalty 8-0 to the home side from 25 metres.

On 26 minutes when Jac Howells was shown the yellow card for foul play. On 34 minutes Tumble finally got the score. Tumble formed phase after phase on the right before stretching play all the way to the left-hand touchline.Score 8-5.

The Saints then secured a line out 10 metres from the Tumble line. The ball was won and phase after phase of pounding the Tumble defence finally saw the Saints break through and score a try under the posts. Unbelievably the conversion attempted hit both uprights before going over, 15-5 to the Saints at half time.

With the strong wind now behind them it was expected that Tumble would have the same assistance from the conditions in second half as had been the case for St Clears in the first. Slow start for the Saints trying to establish a foothold in the game and kept the ball tight to make inroads into Tumble territory. Ruck after ruck saw the Saints gain ground before they crashed over for a try to the right of the posts after 50 minutes. The conversion attempt fell short into the wind making the score 20-5.

The Saints close phase play saw  make inroads in the Tumble defence and go over for another unconverted try on 55 minutes, 27-5 to the Saints.

On 58 minutes Tumble were awarded a penalty kick 30 metres from the Saints posts, Outside half Steven Hewitt who duly slotted over an excellent penalty, score was now 27-8 .

The Saints couldn't contain the power of the Tumble forwards who drove over for a try, landed the conversion from the left of the posts to make the score 27-15 on 61 minutes. Tumble were using the wind to their advantage and putting concerted pressure on the St Clears defence who were having to soak up tackle after tackle.

On 67 minutes Tumble were awarded a scrum five. With the Saints struggling to contain Tumble's set piece the scrum needed to be reset twice, finally on the third attempt the power from the Tumble eight came through as they shunted the home pack over their own line - the conversion converted from right of the posts to make the score 27-22 with 13 minutes left to play.

Tumble were now in control and they looked for that critical score that could decide this game. A line out on the Saints 22 saw the ball won and Tumble played phase after phase, With the ball being played back centre field a ruck was set up 20 metres from the Saints line.With it looking like another phased build up was on the cards Tumble scrum half Iwan Morgan suddenly exploded from the base of the ruck powered past two defenders before sidestepping the Saints fullback and grounding the ball for a superb individual try under the posts on 78 minutes with the conversion to give Tumble the lead, 27-29 for the very first time in the game with 2 min remaining. 

A valiant Saints effort continued until the final whistle and it was not to be the Saints's day and we wish them the best of luck as they travel to Bryncethin RFC in the Quarter Final of the Bowl. 

A great effort by the team and a great achievement for the club in reaching the knock out stages of the plate. Also a special mention to the Youth sides achievenment in reachin the last 16 of the national youth cup losing out to Caerleon RFC in a very close game 12-15. Our Cup Journey as a club is over for this season but both teams - the 1sts and the youth sides can be be proud in what they have achieved.

Heads up boys and onwards to the next league fixtures.