Under 11's V Dunvant 8.11.09

8th November 2009

South Gower 29 - Dunvant 0

Tries: Callum Carson, Ethan Smith (2), Jack Bates, Tom Mogridge.
Conversions: Kieran Charles (2)

A nice morning for rugby started with a minutes silence for remembrance Sunday which all children through all age groups for all teams behaved impeccably. Thank you boys.
We had 19 players this morning and Dunvant had 15. It was agreed that we would play 3 thirds.

We started the game well and put early pressure on Dunvant. Loose ball was gathered and fed to our backs with Callum Carson stepping a few tackles to race over under the posts for a great try. On a very windy day, the conversion was missed by Kieran.
Dunvant restarted and several turnovers later, Dunvant had a scrum in their 22. Ethan dropped back for the clearing kick. Dunvant kicked and Ethan gathered superbly on the halfway line. With Dunvant rushing up on him, he made for the corner. Ethan dived and stretched and just made it in the corner for an very well taken try. Kieran Charles stepped up and nailed the conversion. Kieran at outside half, then made a lovely break through the middle and passed well to Ethan who was tackled short of the line and knocked it on.



End of 1st third. Score: South Gower 12 - Dunvant 0

Many substitutions were made for all to play. Dunvant applied more pressure on us this third. Their forward play was excellent and like Wales last night, we were getting turned over at the breakdown as their rucking was superb. They kept the ball in their forwards and made several yards spending large periods of play in our 22. Some great tackling from our players kept them out. Dunvant had 2 penalties 5 yards out but we tackled them back with Jack Bates making a crunching tackle forced the knock on. On our defensive scrum, Moggy picked up and went blind from his own line, drew his man and released Luke Davies. Some excellent tackling from Dunvant took Luke into touch by the halfway line.
When Dunvant were penalised on their 10 yard line, Jack Bates went to the ref and took a quick tap. Jack went forward then made for the corner. Under several tackles by the line, Jack stretched out and grounded the ball for an excellent try. Kieran stepped up and kicked the extra 2 points. On the restart, Dunvant put the pressure on again but some excellent one on one tackles from Luke Davies and Will Lucas stopped Dunvant progressing.

End of 2nd third. Score: South Gower 19 - Dunvant 0

Again, many substitutions were made to ensure everyone played. We started this period well but the pressure from Dunvant's pack was giving us scrappy ball for Moggy to release his backs. Ieaun Hulme made a fantastic break dodging through several tackles making 40 yards. He was tackled in the 22 but had the sense to run and pop the ball up to an onrushing Ethan who scored a fabulous team try. Great support showed with a fantastic try to watch. Unfortunately, Cameron stepped up and missed the conversion.
Again, Dunvant came straight at us but our defence held firm with some great tackles going in. Some lovely handling from our backs gave Kieran the opportunity to make the break and then send a lovely looping pass to Callum which he gathered superbly before being stopped. There was an injury, which the ref stopped for. We restarted with our scrum and we then made a break with Callum in the midfield and our forwards got their to support him. From the ruck Moggy picked up and darted over in the corner for another well taken team try. Callum stepped up but unfortunately missed the conversion. (3 out of 5 conversions missed = windy day).
Late on the game, Ieaun Hulme made another lovely break and offloaded to the looping Callum who was stopped by an excellent tackle. With minutes left, the ball was loose just outside our 22 when Morgan Lucas picked it up and made a cracking break stepping through several tackles to make it up to the opposition 22 where he was tackled into touch. Great effort from Morgan.

Full time. Final Score: South Gower 29 - Dunvant 0

I was very pleased with our overall performance today and especially our defence. We hardly missed a tackle but credit to Dunvant, they made the yards with some excellent work from their forwards picking and driving. We need to be more aggressive in the forwards and ruck properly and make sure the ball is secured properly instead of panicking and running sideways only to be tackled backwards and lose several yards !

Players to mention:

Ethan Smith: This boy is a special talent. Playing a year up, he still, week in week out produces excellent performances and capped of his game with excellent tackling and 2 very very well taken tries. Awesome !

Ieaun Hulme: Made a couple of lovely breaks, running well with the ball in 2 hands and offloading perfectly in the tackle setting up Ethan's second try. Tackled everything that came his way. A very good performance from Ieaun.

Tom Mogridge: Delivered the ball well from the breakdown and did his bit in the mauls ripping it from the onrushing Dunvant forwards. Took his try well and performed well all game.

To be honest, the entire backline in all periods deserve a mention as their handling was good and their defence was superb. Well done lads.

Training Wednesday normal time. Thanks to all today to participated in another excellent team win.