Under 11's V Loughor 14/02/10

14th February 2010

South Gower 54 - Loughor 7

Tries: Cameron Barker (3) Tom Mogridge (2), Tom Jenkins, Jack Bates, Michael Jones.

Conversions: Kieran Charles (7)

What a beautiful morning at South Gower. The playing conditions were perfect, but out of a squad of 21, we only had 11 players. Again this week, Tom Jenkins (who produced another outstanding performance) made the step up to the 11's and excelled again. If only his dad didn't coach the 10's !!!

We started badly ! We knocked on from the kick off and Loughor took us along the pitch, recycled the ball and some poor attempts to tackle saw Loughor glide through us straight away to score the first try of the day. We regrouped, woke up and dominated from there on in. Some good work from our backs created a maul 5 metres out from Loughor's try line. Paul Jones peeled of the back down the blind side, drew his man and put Cameron Barker in for his first try of the day. Kieran Charles converted.
Next we had a scrum in the middle of the pitch as the loughor restart didn't go 10. Kieran lined his backs up and called rocket ball. Kieran went blind, fed Tom Jenkins who in turn passed to the looping Tom Mogridge and Moggy darted over in the corner for an excellent set piece move. Kieran converted.
Next up, our forwards created lovely secure ball for Moggy. He fed the backs who made the ground and Moggy supported first to receive the ball and run over for his second of the game. Again, Charlo converted.
Next up was another good try. Again, a solid platform was created by our forwards. Mogman fed Charlo, who fed Callum. Callum made the break and got ankle tapped a metre from the line. He had the sense then to offload to Cameron who went over in the corner for a well taken, unselfish, team try. Unfortunately, Cal got injured in that play and was replaced by Michael Jones. Kieran converted and the ref blew for half time.

Half time.

South Gower 28 - Loughor 7

The second half started and we carried on where we left off. A scrum on Loughor's 10 yard line gave us secure ball from which to attack from. Kieran called scotland one dummy, Cameron came on the dummy switch and Kieran carried on through the gap. He drew the winger perfectly and passed to Tom Jenkins who sprinted over from 20 metres out to score an excellent try. Again, Charlo converted.
Next up was Jack Bates. Moggy made a break into the opposition 22 and got caught in a maul. Good communication from the team and the ball worked its way back to Jack who broke a few tackles and stretched over for another try. Kieran converted.
Next up we were lucky enough to witness the Barker step. Not seen every week, but when it is, it is beautiful ! Scrappy ball was won by our forwards and then released to our backs. Kieran fed Cameron and he cut inside, displayed his famous step on two Loughor players and went half the length of the pitch to score a cracking try ! Kieran converted.
Last but not least, we turned over Loughor and fed the ball along the backline. The defence was staggered and Michael Jones picked his way through for a lovely run from the half way to score a great try. This time Kieran hit the crossbar ! Unlucky mate !

Final Score:

South Gower 54 - Loughor 7

As i mentioned earlier, we only had 11 players plus Tom Jenkins. We lost Callum halfway through the first half and were down to the bare bones, but what a great set of bare bones we have. After an early wake up call we stepped up to the plate and dominated with our backs tearing the opposition apart. This, obviously could only be done with the help and of secure ball from our forwards. Unfortunately, George Grammenos was asked to leave the pitch by the referee. I feel George was hard done by as he had played an exceptional game. Overall, very impressed and very proud to put in a performance like that against a strong Loughor outfit. Keep it going boys, your teamwork is superb !


Players to Mention.

Cameron Barker: A hatrick of tries and the awesome Barker step summed up Cam's game. Ran well, passed well, tackled well and supported well. Excellent game !

Paul Jones: The man mountain of our pack was dominant. Turned over several rucks and mauls and even passed like Stephen Jones to set up Cam's first try. Another excellent game Paul !

Tom Mogridge: Moggy's distribution from scrum half was much better this week. Tom was first to tackle everything and the first to support which resulted in his two tries. A superb performance from the Mogmeister General this week !

Kieran Charles: Ran the game from 10. Some big tackles and some great vision throughout the game ensured Kieran commanded his back line perfectly. Great play to set up Tom Jenkins' try.

Harry Silvey: Our smallest player, our best tackler. In Loughors' faces all game putting player into the turf ! Superb Game Silv !

George Grammenos: Was harshly sent off but up until then was superb. Won a couple of balls against the head and got involved at every breakdown. Head up Georgie G, you were great !!!

Even though it is half term we will still be training this Wednesday at 18.30 hrs. We have Swansea Uplands at home next Sunday which we know will be very tough. See you all Wednesday and a massive well done boys !!!