U8's: Mumbles Home 10.12.06

Date : 10.12.06

Elders :

Score : South Gower 4, Mumbles 4.
Tries : Ethan Smith, Cameron Barker (2), Ben Westerholm.

Youngsters :

Score : South Gower 2, Mumbles 3. (Game abandoned at half time)
Tries : Fergus Kneath (2).

Elders Game Summary :

Tom Mogridge captained the Gower against our nearest rivals in which turned out to be the worst day of the season (weather wise) we have played rugby on. The wind and the rain lashed down constantly but all the players were brave enough to see the game through. Mumbles scored the first try of the game only for Ethan "Shane" Smith to reply instantly with a weaving run which took apart the opposition. Ethan took them one way, then the other, back the same way and then danced his way through to score a great try. Mumbles replied and then Cameron Barker got his first of the game with a great run which saw him sprint for the corner to go over to level the scores.


Cameron Barker goes flying past for his second try of the game.

After the break, Mumbles scored before Cameron Barker got his second of the game. Some good team play and support saw Cameron go over to level the scores. Mumbles then turned over possession with a knock on and the teamwork sent Ben Westerholm racing away to score in the corner.
The referee then signalled the last play of the game and mumbles came at us. We took 3 tags off them before their player ran through 4 off us to score and level the game at 4 - 4. Unfortunately, with the last play of the game, Ben Westerholm had to go off with a nasty cut lip, luckily, his dad knows a bit about that !!!!!!! A big well done to all, who produced some great rugby in awful conditions.

Youngsters Game Summary :

Dan Pritchard had the honour of captaining his side as the conditions deteriorated. Mumbles started with possession and South Gower made a few tags before they scored the first try of the game. Gower replied with some good running and off loading in the tackle to Fergus Kneath to race over for his first of the game. Again, Mumbles came straight back at us and scored a good try. The Kneathmeister Fergus then took the game to mumbles with some great running to equalise the game at 2-2.
With the wind blowing heavily behind Mumbles, we conceded another try which came from good support running. Half time was approaching when we took the ball up the blind side where we were unfortunately forced into touch. The referee blew for half time, yet it was decided for the match to be abandoned due to the coldness, wetness and the diminishing numbers of player left on the field. The score was 3-2 to Mumbles when the game was abandoned but with the strong wind behind the Gower in the second half, it would not have been long before that score was changed. Well done to all the player who persevered through the awful weather.

PhotoCall: SGRFC U14's 2006

Click the image for a selection of photos of SGRFC U14's in action.
Photos by Jo Ashburner

U:11's Mumbles Home 10.12.06

Score: South Gower 26, Mumbles 14
Conversions: Jamie Thomas [3]
Tries (Scored By): Chay Smith [4]

S.G.R.F.C. Man of the Match (And Why): Chay Smith for an all round outstanding performance and finishing off 4 well achieved tries.

Game Analysis: A true winters morning; cold, wet, windy and thirty boys that are school mates, neighbours and friends representing two distinct local teams. The ribbing and teasing was over, and time to see who was going to deliver a winning performance on the day. South Gower won the toss and commenced with the wind behind them. Going straight on the attack, South Gower held Mumbles within their own 22, the forwards working well upfront securing possession to allow quick ball out from scrum half Jamie Thomas where the precision passing of the Gower backs reached outside centre Chay Smith to claim the first try of the game. The conversion was literally just inside the touch line resulting in a challenging conversion from Jamie Thomas, it must be said that the angle, length and accuracy was superb and hence added the extra 2 points with a class kick. The All Black team spirit drove on at the restart, straight back into the Mumbles 22. Mumbles defending well with well drilled tackles but Gower holding on to possession, using the backs to create an over lap, that sent Chay Smith over for his second try within 10 minutes. The passion was flowing but Mumbles were no way bowing out. Not long after, Chay Smith having a stormer of a game got popped the ball within the Mumbles half, jinking his way through along with throwing a dummy pass to claim his hat-trick, Jamie Thomas converting the extras. Mumbles, kept their heads and regained possession, taking the game back up field to South Gower. The ball got spilled however allowing the All Blacks to kick clear downfield backed by a strong wind. The chase was on, speedster Jonno Blakemore took out the Mumbles full back at first touch, where Mumbles were certainly under pressure on their own try line; with an adjacent pass along their line which was read and intercepted by Chay Smith touching down for his fourth try, Jamie Thomas again on form with the boot claiming the conversion.
The second half, Gower hoped they had done enough to pin Mumbles down supported by the wind and rain, but they certainly did come back into the game. The Mumbles forwards started to dominate in the rucks and mauls restricting Gower possession. Their determination was never doubted and was evident in their two second half un-answered tries, both being well converted to give them their 14 point score, but unfortunately for them too little too late.
The win was certainly a sweet one for the All Blacks, a bunch of boys working well as a team playing 15 a side on a full size pitch, but fair to say that both teams respected one another well in the true spirit of the sport. A great performance by both sides, so until the next time……. ;-)

U8's: Pontardulais & Waunarlwydd Home 03.12.06

Date : 03.12.06

Score : South Gower 4, Pontardulais 6.
Tries : Jack Bates, Ben Westerholm, Ethan Smith, Tom Jenkins.

Score : South Gower 5, Waunarlwydd 6.
Tries : Max Collis (2), Tom Mogridge, Cameron Barker (2).

Score : Waunarlwydd 3, Pontardulais 1.

We had 2 teams visit South Gower this week which enabled us to play all of our players.
Cameron Barker captained South Gower this week. We were up against 2 strong teams and had to try and split our teams evenly as we have have players ranging from 5 to 8 years old. The important thing was that everybody played.

Game Summary - South Gower V Pontardulais

First up was Pontardulais, they went 2 tries up straight away. South Gower replied with a good weaving run and touchdown from Jack "Bullet Head" Bates. Pontardulais replied with 2 more tries before South Gower's "Roadrunner" Ben Westerholm used his pace to sprint clear of everyone to score a good try.

The Roadrunner, Ben Westerholm in full flow supported by Cameron Barker.

Ethan Smith then joined in the fun with one of his trademark jinking runs that left everyone dizzy before touching down to make it 4 - 3 to Pontardulais. After the break, Pontardulais scored again before Tom Jenkins skinned the opposition with his pace to score a great try in the corner.

Tom Jenkins sprints away for his try, supported outside by Ben Westerholm.

Unfortunately, due to our eagerness to tag early and win a turnover, our players drifted in from the wing to try and tag the opposition leaving space outside for Pontardulais to score their 6th try. There was no time for a comeback this time and Pontardulais ran out winners.

Game Summary - South Gower V Waunarlwydd

Waunarlwydd were up next with a very strong team. We had a complete change of personnel to ensure everyone played. Unfortunately, we were still asleep when the game started and went 3 tries down. Then up stepped Max Collis. Max scored a fabulous individual try to take us into the break at 3 - 1 down. We made a few substitutions at half time and came out of the starting blocks firing on all cylinders. Tom Mogridge weaved his way past several defenders before scoring a good try.

Tom Mogridge weaves in and out before sprinting over for a good try.

Then Captain Cameron Barker chipped in with a fine try of his own after some good offloading in the tag. Waunarlwydd then struck back with 2 tries. Max Collis then supported his teammates well before racing away through the middle of the opposition to score another great try. Waunarlwydd made it 6 - 4 with some fine play with a few minutes left. Captain Cameron then finished off a good move by the whole team. The offloading in the tag, and players taking the ball at pace instead of standing still, proved valuable as Cameron went over for his second of the game.

Captain, Cameron Barker touches down South Gower's final try.

With a minute left, Waunarlwydd knocked on and we had possession. Through a series of tags we made our way towards the Waunarlwydd try line. When Ethan was tagged 2 metres out his pass to an unmarked Cameron agonisingly didn't go to hand, the ball was turned over and the referee blew his final whistle. We had lost 5 - 6 but came so close to the draw. We put up a spirited performance against, barring New Dock Stars, our toughest and most organised side we have played against this season. Compliments must be paid to Pontardulais and Waunarlwydd for the way they played.
We seem to have made leaps and bounds in training with our attacking skills, now is the time to concentrate on our defence and bring that up to the same standard. If we can accomplish that then i am certain we will be a very hard team to beat. Well done to everyone.

U:11's Waunarlwydd Home 4.12.06

Date: 04/12/06
Opposition: Waunarlwydd RFC
Venue: Home
Score: South Gower 7, Waunarlwydd 36
Conversions: Sam Pritchard
Tries (Scored By): Eliot Owen


S.G.R.F.C. Man of the Match (And Why): Jack Hooper-Lewis for constantly getting over the gain line, good tackling and leading by example.

Game Analysis: The match kicked off in far from ideal conditions with a strong wind blowing down the pitch. Waunarlwydd playing with the wind in the first half took full advantage of the conditions and went straight on the attack, their forwards recycled the ball well and it was only some determined Gower tackling that kept them out. However, the pressure that Waunarlwydd were exerting soon took its toll and they went over for the first try of the game. From the kick off Waunarlwydd strung together a good move to put the pressure straight back onto South Gower, however, a good break out of defence by Jack Hooper-Lewis relieved the pressure. Waunarlwydd forwards were becoming more dominant and ‘frustrating’ the Gower players, and it wasn’t long before they scored again. From the reset, Waunarlwydd ran straight through the Gower defence to add a Third try, quickly followed by a fourth. This score seemed to kick start South Gower into life as they stepped up to the mark. They were unlucky, with several good moves of their own, which saw the forwards and backs linking well, come to nothing. The game was now much more competitive and Waunarlwydd knew they were in a match, but against the run of play they broke out to score a fifth unanswered try just before half time.
After the break Sam Pritchard was able to put the pressure on Waunarlwydd from the kick off, but Gower were just unable to cross the whitewash. Both sides were struggling for the upper hand at the breakdown and several good tackles from Max Adams, Kieran Shreeves and Jack Hooper-Lewis kept Waunarlwydd at bay. South Gower were attacking more and more and it was only good defence and aggressive forward play by Waunarlwydd that kept them out, then totally against the run of play Waunarlwydd broke out from their own half to score another try. South Gower, were determined to get something out of the game and showed great resolve to keep their heads up and push for a try of their own. A quick break down the left wing saw Sam Pritchard tackled short of the line, the Gower forwards quick to the breakdown, secured the ball for Jamie Thomas to snipe down the blind side only to be tackled inches short, but determined not to finish without scoring, the ball was popped up to Eliot Owen, who did well to stay in the field of play and drive over for the score, taking at least two players with him. Sam Pritchard added the extra two points, the score ensured South Gower had the last word and the supporters had something to cheer about and the second half ended 7-7. The final score did not reflect how close the match was or the effort the players put in, they were a credit to themselves and South Gower RFC in that they didn’t let their heads drop and pushed until the end to get a well deserved try. Well done boys, lets go to Waunarlwydd and beat them at their ground in March, but lets not give them such a head start next time!!!!!