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……. ;-)