Pencoed Match Report

The boys really stepped up this morning to play Pencoed, always an outstanding Junior Club side. Led from the front by Captain of the day Cameron, the Wildcats took an early lead but finally went down fighting 7-8. Everyone got involved in the best performance of the season so far. This week we are introducing player of the week awards. This is not just for scoring tries, but for tagging, fair play, enthusiasm, staying in line, positioning and listening to the coaches. The inaugural awards go to Luca for an overall tagging and running performance, and to Dylan for the champagne moment of the match: a diving try saving tag in the corner. Also mentioned in dispatches are Cathy and Jill for organising the hotdogs at the cricket club. Special thanks to Chris from Pencoed for making the journey and instilling an excellent spirit in their team (and the ability to bounce back from a few knocks!) Unfortunately we don't have a return match organised for this season, but it is certainly a fixture we look forward to arranging again in the future.

Dates for the diary:
Wednesday 3rd Dec: Astroturf at Ashleigh Road, 4:30-5:30 (last one of the year).
Friday 5th Dec: Parents party for junior section at Rugby Club, 8-late. £3 tickets available on Wednesday or on the door.
Next Sunday: Change of plan: Morriston have double booked, so the home match is postponed. Fall Bay have kindly stepped in we will play them at their ground in Scurlage. Meet there at 11:00. Details above.

Weekend Details

Match against the mighty Pencoed on Sunday. It's at Bishopston. Meet 9:45 for training before the kick off.

After the match: everyone is invited to the Cricket Club for hotdogs and drinks. Open from 11:30.

Don't forget the Night out for all parents at the Club next Friday £3 each. You can get tickets on Sunday or on the night. Bring some friends. Come along and support the club.

O death where is thy sting?

The Wildcats went down fighting to a strong South Gower side this morning at the windswept Bishopston local derby. Some early tries from Ike, Duncan and Lloyd put Mumbles on even terms at the break, but we were always hanging on and the mazy running of several SG players took them clear in the second half despite several further tries and some fine inter-passing from Tom Charles and Myles. The Wildcats need to work on keeping a defensive line and moving up together to challenge the opposition ball carrier. But we cannot manufacture a Calzaghe-esque unbeaten record for long, and the boys have to learn. The referee turned many a blind eye in an attempt to make the game flow and for both teams to learn. He is most appreciative of Mumbles parents support in face of confusing decisions. At all times decorum was perfectly preserved. Happily, the boys took it all on the chin. The morning is best summed up by one of the players who told me "There was bad news and good news. The bad news is we lost. the good news is it was lots of fun".

No training on Wednesday. See you all at Bishopston next Sunday, 9:45.

Sunday Instructions

Back to our adopted home ground at Bishopston for a match against South Gower. Meet at 9:45 for a 10:30 kick off.

After the game we are all invited back to the CRICKET club, which will be open from 11:30. Hotdogs, tea and coffee and lots of space to run around. It was a great success last week, so come along and help support both the rugby and cricket club.

Lost Boots Message

The odd boots mystery is solved. Ike has one set and Luca the other. If you could both bring them to training tonight we can swap them over. See you all at 4:30 at Ashleigh Road Astroturf.

The survivors of the epic battle with Dunvant. This week the tries were all hard won. Dunvant's tagging skills forced many more passes than usual. This is something we'll have to get used to and the boys have to learn to be there in support of the tagged player. Matz, Cam and Tom R were outstanding in this role. Mumbles edged ahead due to great scavenging. Whenever the ball was dropped a Wildcat was the first there and wouldn't let it go. Myles, Ike and Owen all took key turnovers and this allowed the long legs of Luca and Duncan to add decisive tries. Everyone contributed to the best performance of the year by a long way. A special thanks to the Dunvant coaches and players who brought an outstanding spirit to the game. The return fixture is one we look forward to honouring in the new year.

Coaches tip of the day: No handoffs. Keep up the excellent scavenging of the loose ball.

See you Wednesday, 4:30, at the Astroturf at Ashleigh Road.

Dunvant Match

Sunday 16th November. At our adopted Bishopston School Playing Fields. Meet promptly at 10 for training before the match at 10:30. After the rugby we are invited back to the MUMBLES CRICKET CLUB (on Plunch Lane, Limeslade) for hot dogs. Keep and eye out on the blog for any rain updates.