Under 7s Match

The U7s have their first (I think) away fixture this weekend. At Fall Bay RFC. Dan will also be taking half the u8s for a match, so you can meet Dan in the Underhill Park car park at 9:30. Or if you want to make your own way there, meet at the Fall Bay ground at about 10:00. The club is quite easy to find, in Scurlage. Take the South Gower road all the way to Scurlage, continue through the village on the road to Port Eynon and the Fall Bay RFC clubhouse and pitches are on the right hand side. It takes about 25 minutes from Mumbles.

Under 8s Teams for the weekend

To try and give everyone more game time, we have rearranged the Fall Bay fixture and split the squad down the middle.

Off to Fall Bay are Mumbles Magic: Ben M, Ben H, James, Rhys Cottrell, Tom L, Keiran, Thomas P, Jack P, Connor, Harry, Cian.

Hosting Skewen at Underhill park are the Mumbles Milers: Ben Cambriani, Tom G, Aled, Max, Dom, Lloyd, Matthew, Liam, Nye, New Rhys, Cameron.

For Fall Bay, meet at the car park at 9:30 and follow Dan (directions also above). For Skewen, meet Lyndon ad Adrian in Underhill Park at 10.00.

Dates for the diary

First, a reminder for Astroturf this Wednesday, 4:30 - 5:30 Ashleigh Road. U7s and U8s all welcome.

Second, an early notice for a U7s and U8s parents (and grandparents) get together. Sunday 17th Feb 7:00 down the clubhouse. We'd like to get feedback from you lot on any issues (Sunday mornings are usually way to hectic to do this properly), and outline some plans for the rest of the season. But it's really just an excuse to all have a good few drinks together. Get the babysitters in.

New arrangements for this weekend

We have tentatively arranged the following for this weekend.

U8 team v Skewen at home
U8 team v Fall Bay away
U7 team v Fall Bay away

We are going to split U8s down the middle, mixing experience and youth (that's the coaches). Obviously we want to maximise game time, so hopefully this provide a worthwhile solution.

We will confirm the split on Wednesday.

Thanks to all for their patience and especially to Mike M. and Adrian who kept the boys going while we tried to sort everything out on Sunday.

Mike Morgan's legs

Keiran's mum took this lovely picture of her husband's legs, but luckily missed and found six of the team. From left to right, Dom, Ben, Rhys, Cam, Keiran and Ben.

Mike's legs promised for next week.

Sunday Match Reports

The U7s finally donned their new kit this morning (sponsorship thanks to John). They seemed immediately lifted and were so keen on a match that they took on the mixed U8s / U7s Swansea Uplands lads. As I was doing my impression of a market trader, I missed much of the game, but from what I saw it was really competitive and I did see the flowing 5-tag play that ended up in a great team try for Thomas. Here’s Rob’s report:

“To start with can I thank all for a great turnout of under 7’s. There was 14 in all, they were really excited getting back into rugby with a game of tag with their new shirts on! Overall a good match especially Mike has only just told me many of Uplands RFC were under 8’s. They had a great boost playing a game for the first time in 3 weeks! Good passing of the ball and giving each other the extra man support. We looked strong in attack and got a fair amount of tags. We turned the ball over once! There was a lovely moment as William went up to the try line blocked by Uplands and he timed a great pass to Jake who then scored a perfect try. A great point was scored by Thomas with our pack showing good support. Other tries were scored by Cai, Elias, Tomasz, Tal and I’m sure I missed some others out as well. I think the final score was about 7-9 and there were lots of positives in the way we played. I couldn’t believe the team character in our under 7’s and the urgency to get that tag and score that try WELL DONE ALL."

The U7s performance was put into perspective as the same Uplands side took on our 8s and were a match, try for try. With Mumbles debuts from Lloyd, Connor, Nye, Rhys and Liam, there was a record turnout of 22, so we divided our 8s into 3 sides, balancing experience with new players throughout. Each game was a draw and all the sides were very even. It shows some great strength in depth, and a good sign for the future of this age-group, that 3 sides could match a talented Uplands side with all our players having equal game time. Great credit to Uplands for keeping going and never running out of steam. Rhys, Ben C, Ben M, Cian, Tom L (wriggling through most of the defence several times) and Max (returning with a trademark sprint to the corner) notched up the tries. James, Connor, Nye, Tom G and Lloyd all went close too.

Swansea Uplands all on

And they are arriving early...

Plus bringing quite a few U7s, so hopefully a dual fixture.

Lots of pasta tonight and no fizzy drinks.

Game On! (We hope)

U8s Match vs Swansea Uplands
U7s Training

Unless the weather takes a turn for the worst again, it looks like we are back at Underhill at last on Sunday (27th Jan).

Swansea Uplands are the visitors. In the early season they only played the U8s, but they do have quite a big squad and may well have some more players by now. So we'll speak to them beforehand and see how many younger ones turn up on Sunday. The U7s will be there training anyway, and I am sure will be happy for a game if there is a chance. Everyone is to meet down the park at 9:30.

Wednesday Astroturf Training

4:30 - 5:30 Ashleigh Road. The only place we seem to be able to play at the moment. All 7s and 8s welcome.

Sunday update: EVERYTHING OFF

Sorry to report that there'll be no rugby tomorrow. We checked out the beach today and not only is there a lot of surface water blown over from the stream, but there are many more stones than usual which make it difficult to mark out a safe pitch. There is also a gale whipping across the sand and nowhere to hide. All in all a bit grim. Underhill park is waterlogged of course. So Fall Bay won't be coming down and training is cancelled.

Next Wednesday at the astroturf is on, 4:30 to 5:30. And if the sun ever comes out we have a game against Swansea Uplands next Sunday at home. Enjoy the weekend.

International tickets

Members of Mumbles RFC Mini section can put their names forward for tickets to the forthcoming internationals.



Here are the prices:

Scotland Saturday 9th February 2008 KO 2:00pm Tickets @£55/£50/£40
Italy Saturday 23rd February 2008 KO 3:00pm Tickets price as above
France Saturday 15th March 2008 KO 5:00pm Tickets price as above.



There is no guarantee that you will get the tickets you want. There are tickets available through Ticketmaster.co.uk for some of the games, but you will be paying over the odds.



If you are interested in putting your name forward for a pair of tickets, then email with me your options.



I will pass this onto Peter Hixson. When and if we get allocated some tickets, I will tell you straightaway.



If there is a group of us, then we might look at getting some common transport so that we possibly share a half of Brains Dark on the way. You don't want to go by train just in case you get beaten up by Gavin Henson on the way back (allegedly).

My email address is: dan.cottrell@rugby-coach.com

Sunday: Fall Bay Match Update

The teams are desperate for a match, Underhill is under water, and more rain is forecast. But we have a plan for this Sunday. Tag rugby on the beach!

Fall Bay are planning to meet us at Caswell Bay, and we'll mark out a pitch in front of the steps. U8s meet at 10:00. U7s meet at 9:30. Fall Bay plan to bring 2 teams, and the earlier start for the 7s is so they can meet up with Rob, Will and Alex to get some practice in as they haven't had much rugby lately.

See you there. It'll even be easy to park.

Match Off

Rain stops play again, so the Bont match is postponed. Underhill is underwater, and it will be high tide at the beach in the morning (and probably raining anyway). So no rugby tomorrow I am afraid.

The astroturf is booked again for Wednesday though - and it was great last week even in the rain - alot better for tag rugby this time of year. U7s and U8s are all welcome at 4:30 to 5:30. Go up the path in the middle of Ashleigh Road playing fields off Mumbles Road, this takes you to a car park, and we use the pitch closest to Mumbles Road. There's even a nice shelter for parents to sit in - bring a flask of coffee.

Keep up with the Blog for news of next week's game at Fall Bay. See you Wednesday.

Still on but watch this space

At the moment it is still on for tomorrow. We will meet at 9.30am in the car park at Underhill.

However, the weather forecast is not looking good.

We might venture down the beach for some training, but again the tide might be against us.

Wednesday training is definitely on though.

Pre match and training eating

A number of parents have enquired about eating and drinking before training.

My view is that it is fine. An hour or so in the cold requires lots of fuel to maintain concentration levels. Hot drinks are especially welcome, with a nip of alcohol.

Enough about the parents, I will post some ideas for the players next week.

Bont Match and Wednesday Astroturf Training

Great turn out on Sunday to start the new year and shake off the cold. Straight back into action now, with the first rematch of the season.

Both the U7s and U8s will be welcomed at Pontarddulais this Sunday. As usual it is best to meet there at 10:00 and hopefully the younger teams will get going asap. It takes about 30 mins to get there from Mumbles.

Go through Fforestfach on the A483, go passed tescos and down the hill to the roundabout and turn right (A483) on the dual carriage way towards the M4. At the big M4 roundabout, take the first left (Gorseinon Road) to Penllegaer, then at the first roundabout just after the garage, take the right turn on the A48 which takes you all the way to Pontarddulais (over the M4, and through Pontlliw).

The playing fields are not right by the clubhouse. To get to the playing fields, when you enter Pontarddulais (from the Swansea end), carry on the main road until the traffic lights with the Kings Head (or Hotel or Arms) Pub on the left. Turn left at the Pub, towards Gorseinon (on Pentre Road B4296). Take the first right into Gwynfryn Road, and bear left on the narrow road that will take you through the trees to the rugby pitches.

This Google map pinpoints the the club house, the playing fields being across Bolgoed road towards Gorseinon.
link

Some practice for the big match can be gained on WEDNESDAY, as we have booked the astroturf at Ashleigh Road again. All U7s and U8s are welcome between 4:30 and 5:30.

Sunday 6th January 2008

Training for both groups.

Starts at 9.30am. It will be a prompt start so we can finish by 10.30am (other matches going on as well).

Look forward to seeing you all there (wrapped up warm).