Mumbles 4 vs Gowerton 3

Training Wednesday 4:30 as usual

A really tight match this morning as we welcomed Gowerton under 7s. Lloyd led the team out and there was little between the sides, both of which forced several 6-tag turnovers. It was good to see such a hard fought game, instead of just a procession of tries. Most pleasing was the defence. A great line was maintained by the likes of Duncan, Sam, Ed, Tom Rees, Arthur, Tom Charles and Cam. This kept the opposition bottled up while Luca and Matz were sent up front to cause havoc and make the tags. Tries were hard to come by but Cam, Lloyd, Ike and Luca forced their way through (Owen as well? Did we score 5?). Everyone is really contributing to the game, so the players of the week are: Team Wildcats! The Gowerton boys and supporters were a credit to their club and we'll see them again for more close encounters next season

Coming Up

The official season finishes at the end of April. Rugby will continue for the Wildcats through the whole of May on Wednesdays only. Weekends free! We'll then start up again in August (again on Wednesdays to start with).

Presentation night will be at the clubhouse in May. Dates will be circulated soon.

In May we will also be inviting next year's under 7s, the Vikings!, up to the park. They have been playing on the beach and are ready for a taste of tag rugby. We'll mix all the players into 3 sides and have a mini tournament, and, if we can arrange it, offer a BBQ for parents and players afterwards. Dates to be thought about. We'll probably wait for a stretch of good weather, and aim for a Saturday or Sunday morning.

Breaking News
Six Nations £250 tournament won by one entry! Turns out we have too much faith in the Welsh team - if Stephen Jones' penalty had gone over the posts then it would have been shared between several entries. Thanks to all those who bought and sold tickets. Better luck next year.

First Aid

Sunday: Training at Underhill 9:30.

Players of the week from Wednesday are: the whole of the Yellow Bib Team. Outstanding teamwork boys. And Ike for bravery in combat.

Even though it is only tag, we still pick up a few injuries with two sets of boys flying at each other. Parents are probably wondering what the first aid arrangements are. To start with all teams in the club must have nominated, and qualified, first aiders. Both Mike and Ian have up-to-date certificates. However we are well aware that a few courses are not necessarily great preparation for dealing with some situations. We therefore have a network of contacts throughout the age groups, including parents and coaches, who have medical backgrounds. So if there are more serious incidents on match days we should be able to contact them in addition to phoning for help. If any Wildcats parents are experienced first aiders, or have medical backgrounds it would be useful to let the coaching team know. We also have a first aid kit in the kit bag at all times, although most incidents are bumps and bruises rather than cuts.

Lastly, its expected that the boys will take a few knocks in the game, and they'll move into tackling practice in about 12 months. But they can minimise hurting themselves and other players by: keeping to the rules. Remember it is tag with no pushing, grabbing, barging, hand-offs. Listen for the whistle: stop playing as soon as the refereeing blows the whistle. No pile ups on the try line.

Dunvant Report: More Passing than Wales managed yesterday

A lovely morning at the Broadacre, and the Wildcats really enjoyed the Dunvant welcome. A great game followed, up against a very good and pacey Dunvant team who edged ahead early on, with Mumbles coming back in the second and third quarter before Dunvant stretching out to a 14-10 win. Mumbles were always under pressure and were made to work hard for every try. The boys responded with our best passing display of the season. From Matthew's report, any player could have been man of the match. This is especially pleasing for the coaches, to see that all players are starting to make real contributions to the game. Junior rugby is so easily dominated by one or two fast players, but we are trying to work towards teamwork with everyone getting involved and stuck in. From the sidelines I took note of the straight running of Captain Owen and Myles (try), the speed of Dylan (2 tries), Arthur (3 tries) and Sam (try), the support play of Tom R, Ike (try), Matz and Georgia, and the determined tagging from Luca and Duncan (2 tries). Without doubt though the three players of the week were Tom Charles for his running and support play. If he continues to be in the right place, with those long legs he will soon be scoring tries. Ed. Clearly counting down the days until he can run through people in tackling, Ed showed how to keep straight, make yards and make the pass. Lots of tags too. And Jamie for being a key link player. Never losing the ball, always making the quick pass, and today making lots of yards as well.

Well done everyone. A great fixture, with loads of rugby for both sides and one which we'll really look forward to again next season.

Training next Wednesday 4:30 underhill.

Sunday Washout

Worst case scenario this morning. 9:00 it was lovely. 20 mins later it is lashing down, to add to the rain of Friday and Sat. We didn't have time to warn on the blog so apologies to those who made it to the park in optimism. Although we could have played, we cancelled for two reasons. First - there were several games scheduled, including the older age groups who use a whole pitch. The senior pitch was completely out of action and these matches would have taken up all the drier areas, and we would have struggled to find a good spot. Second - there isn't much to be learnt playing tag rugby in a bog. The boys have a great introduction to rugby and there is no need to put them off in the wind and rain. So - weather permitting- training on Wednesday. At least we'll have the run of the park and should be able to find a firm surface.

NO TRAINING THIS WEDNESDAY

The park is already waterlogged, with lots of rain and hail forecast. Not good conditions for tag rugby so there will be no training this Wednesday. In future seasons we will use days like this to practice Mauling and Blindside Raking.

Hopefully the weather will pick up for a match or training at Underhill Park on Sunday.