Mumbles 7 - South Gower 21
Tries: Jack Bates (2), Ethan Smith.
Conversions: Kieran Charles (3)
Mumbles, home or away is always a very tough game as they are strong in all areas. We knew this would be tough and did switch on from the off although some areas were a bit rusty. We seemed to panic on the ball a bit rather than set up the ruck/maul and release our backs. Saying that, it only lasted a few minutes as we started to stamp our mark on the game. Our forwards rucked very well and the support was there in the mauls. Moggy was delivering the ball to Kieran much better this week and we soon got our back line moving with some good runs from Kieran and Callum. After good running we set up a ruck just inside our half and Jack Bates picked up and went open. He went round the first tackle and straightened up and went through 2 more tackles and scored a good try in the corner. Kieran stepped up to kick the conversion.
A couple more times we went close again with good running from Kieran to make the break, offloading to Callum who unfortunately spilled the ball on the try line under pressure from a good Mumbles tackle. After some more good pressure from Mumbles, we had a lineout 5 metres from our own line. The long ball to Jack Bates at the back of the lineout from Paul set him free rampaging down the line which relieved the pressure. Mumbles applied more pressure but the ball could not come out of the maul on the South Gower try line and the ref blew for half time leaving the score poised at 0-7.
We started well again in the second half and after a Mumbles knock on, we had a scrum 5 meters out. Moggy went blind, drew the winger and popped the ball to Ethan who dived and stretched under pressure from 2 Mumbles tackles to score right in the corner. Kieran stepped up and converted. Mumbles then came more into the game but some superb tackling from Jack Bates and George Heard halted their progress. However, Mumbles made a good break and slipped a few tackles to register a good try which was converted.
Knowing the game was tight, we upped our game and some great work in the rucks from Owen Renowden secured us several turnover balls. Finally, with a driving maul inside the Mumbles half, Jack Bates ripped the ball free, and smashed his way through several of the Mumbles forwards and stretching for the line to score his second of the game. Again, Kieran stepped up and nailed the conversion.
Final Score : Mumbles 7 - South Gower 21.
The boys played very well and got better as the game went on. Some missed tackles led to the Mumbles try but otherwise we were defensively sound. Rucking improved with Owen Renowden deserving a special mention. The backs used the ball well and we witnessed some good passing plays.
Players to Mention:
Owen Renowden: Great game from Owen in the tight and loose. Won several turnovers by getting to the ruck first and ripping the ball free. Excellent Owen !
Jack Bates: Another excellent performance from Jack. Tackled everything that came his way, dominated in the mauls ripping several balls out and scored 2 great tries. Awesome !
George Heard: In the loose was fantastic. Made several important tackles and played his heart out. Best game of the season for George so far. Well done mate.
As a group, the backs defended very well and put some big hits in which the forwards got back to help out with.
Thank you for all your efforts boys, a very good performance rewarded with a fine win. Training Wednesday 6.30. Well done Lads !
To finish, i include a picture of South Gower's Under 11's Llwchwr District players who drew 7-7 away to Cynon Valley yesterday. We progress to the next round of the cup as the ruling states if in the event of a draw, the away team will go through. Well done boys............
Jack Bates, Kieran Charles, Callum Carson, Cameron Barker.
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