Tonmawr U7 and U8

Tonmawr at home on Sunday.

They have at least two teams, so we will run an U8 and U7 team.

Please get there for early latest so we can do some training and then play the games.

Coaching notes

First, I would like to say thanks to Rob and Will who took the U7s on Sunday. I hope they enjoyed the experience (Rob admitted he did!)

Second, the opposition (Pontardawe) were very complimentary about the side on the weekend. I thought we had a good shape and tried to play some rugby. It was all over so quickly that it seemed a long way to go for so little game time.

This is something I aim to get right in the long run. We were pushed for playing space and time on Sunday, so it was not easy for the other side to accommodate this. However it is important to give everyone a good crack at the game.

Our aims are to pass before being tagged, get players in space, support and maintain a line in defence.

I am pleased with our progress in this sense and it is good to see a range of try scorers. Sometimes though it is the moments when other things happen which stick in my mind.

Here are some non try moments from last Sunday:
Cian's long pass to Matthew who was in space and then cut a line back inside. His pass led to a try.
Max standing at full back. His idea, not mine.
Dom and Rhys organising the defence.
Tom G support and keeping the space in attack.
Ben C passing before contact which meant he was free to score a try from the next pass.
Ben H straight running and going forward.

There were lots of other things from all the players - and it is nice to see a willingness to want the ball.

I am starting my end of term reports for the team at the end of the South Gower match. I know there is something positive to say about every player.

Tonmawr Match 2nd December

Down underhill park. Tonmawr have a young squad, but still plan to bring two sides. A chance for the U7s to get stuck in again. See you there at 9:30.

U7s Training

Many thanks to Rob and Will for stepping up to take the U7s this morning. I am sure everyone really appreciates the effort. There was another really good turnout and I hear it went very well.

Ponty Match Report

With a debut from Kieran Morgan, of grand Mumbles Rugby heritage, adding to the growing experience of the squad, the U8s were too strong for a young Ponty side. Hat-tricks from speedy Max Jones and Ben C. Tries from Rhys (2), Ben H, Tom L (2), Dom and a fine first from Cam. It was all over a bit quickly, but hopefully everyone had a good run. Pity my directions to the ground were totally useless. Next up – the mighty Tonmawr.

Directions to Pontardawe

For the U8s only this Sunday (training for U7s down Underhill at 9:30).

Give yourself plenty of time for this one. It takes at least 30 mins from Mumbles. The plan is to meet there at 10:15. Pontardawe RFC is on Ynisderw Road, Pontardawe, SA8 4EG, 01792 864811. But the playing fields are a little bit on from the clubhouse (you could ask at the clubhouse if lost).

Head through Swansea Centre towards Morriston (Neath Road), and cross under the M4 (on the 4607). Continue on the A4607 towards Pontardawe. After crossing the river (left at a roundabout) into Pontardawe, take the first left at the next roundabout into Ynisderw Road. Drive down passed the clubhouse, and the playing fields are a bit further on on the right. (Near the leisure centre).

Google map here

Cameron Lewis nearly try

Note the inside pass and two hands on the ball (Rhys).

Rhys try against Gowerton

Rhys scoring against Gowerton.

Cameron, Max, Ben H and other clips to follow.

U7 Training on Sunday at 9.30am

There is training for Under 7s on Sunday, with Rob (Cai's dad) looking after the group. He has just been on the WRU Tag course, plus will be fully briefed by Dan (me). I know he would appreciate lots of support on Sunday, but I also know they are a great bunch of kids anyway.

We are in the process of expanding the fixture list as well to include more games with teams with more sides.

Pontardawe Away

No Training this Wednesday.

Pontardawe away coming up this Sunday. Directions to follow.

We haven't heard from Pontardawe yet, so stay tuned for U7s news. We are still inviting parents to get involved with the U7s training (for example down underhill on Sunday if there is no match for them). Alex and Rob attended the Tag Leader course last night - so that is a great start. For this to work best with the numbers of children involved this year and next, we still need a few more. Contact Dan or Mike for more info.

Coming Up...

No training this Wednesday.

Training on Sunday at Underhill, 9:30. See you there.

Gowerton Report

The real achievement this morning was the participation by so many players. You don’t have to watch mini rugby for long to realise it can often be dominated by a few experienced individuals. This morning there were 15 Mumbles try scorers, no-one scored more than 2, and everyone had a run and a pass. Thanks go to Gowerton for the welcome and the way the games were played.

U7s Match This lot are keen! Well done to all the boys and girls in the U7s. There are some great little runners developing and even a few passes. Tries – most of them their first for Mumbles – from Elias, Liam (2), Jake, Thomas (2), Iestyn, Sean and Ava (taking the ball on half way and outstripping the whole defence along the touchline). An allround effort included Megan, Tomasz, Ioan, Freddie, Cai, Ethan, James and Dylan. I think the final score was 9-4, let me know if I missed anyone’s tries.

U8s Match. Guest Report by Tom G. It was a great match. We finally won 13-8. Jack scored his first try, and he was the captain. Cian scored his first try as well and scored twice. Ben Hinds scored his first try as well. I got 7 tags and 3 interceptions. There were lots of passes round the team. There was loads of sidestepping and there were great hotdogs. Here is a try by Ben. The end.

Early start for U7s

Gowerton are keen to kick the U7s off at 10! So the earlier you can arrive the better.

Directions to Gowerton

For both U8s and U7s this weekend, here are the directions to Gowerton RFC . It should take about 20 minutes from Mumbles.

Head along Mumbles Road, turn left up to Sketty on the A4216, continue on the A4216 through sketty towards Fforestfach (signposted Carmarthen). Turn left onto the A483 at Fforestfach and continue past the shopping centre (Tescos etc). At the roundabout at the bottom of the hill, take the second exit onto the A484 (signposted Llanelli). At the next roundabout continue straight ahead on the A484. At the next roundabout take the 1st exit onto Victoria road (B4296) signposted Gowerton. The Club is on the right-hand side, just past the Harvester and Golf Range, surrounded by blue fence just before the bridge.

Please note, as usual there is very limited parking at the ground although there is a large car-park to be used just 50 yards up from under the bridge. (Take the right-hand lane at traffic-lights)

See link at Google Map for full details.

Please be there for 10:00. As usual Mike will go to the car park at Underhill at 9:30, for about 10 mins, for anyone unsure of the arrangements.

U7 match on Sunday at Gowerton

Gowerton have confirmed they are running an Under 7s team on Sunday, as well as an Under 8s team.

Usual times at the ground (10.00am) so we can do some training and then play the game.

Closest match yet

Handshakes allround for the Two Toms in the post-match tunnel.



We had a great welcome at Swansea Uplands. Ben Marsden Captained the side to a 8-7 win. The highlight was the support play, with several of the tries coming from players tagged close to the line, but able to pass to a team mate to finish off in style. Matthew’s support brought him his first try of the season. Ben C grabbed a hat-trick and Rhys’ 4th try was the clincher with the last move of the match. Classy stuff. Tom L was twice denied by a rather obscured try line (note to parents – loudly shouting ‘put the ball down’ can be very helpful on some pitches).

Mumbles unveil their new kit at Swansea Uplands

Mumbles Team at Swansea Uplands
Back row L-R: Cameron, Tom, Ben, Aled, Cian, Jack, Tom
Front row L-R: Matthew, Dom, Rhys, Ben, James

The u8s, 9s and 10s looked great in their new Ospreys style shirts.
Many thanks go to the sposors for fantastic support of Mumbles Junior Rugby:

George Shakespeare
RugbyCoach
Estate Capital Financial Management
CMB Engineering
Williams & Wheeler Chemist

Shirts can be ordered by parents!

gingerbread haka