Happy 2009

The Xmas Grudge match was very much enjoyed. I hope everyone has an excellent Xmas and New Year. Home game against Penlan Jan 4th, details to follow. If the gloves are too small and still fit for exchange I'll aim swap them with the company. Sizes were small boys or large boys - I guessed in rugby terms 7 year old were the former but we feed them well!
See you next week

FINAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUNDAY 21st XMAS GRUDGE MATCH

No morning training session.
Meet 1pm at UNDERHILL weather permitting for Parents/grandparents verses Pirates.
Move up to Cricket Club for Xmas presentation by Shane 2-30pm to 3-30pm(have lunch first/bring snacks, no food available @ Underhill or Cricket Club except bar snacks).Bring things for autographs if you wish + change of clothes (hoodies & beanies for pirates) etc.
Look forward to seeing you all in your boots ready for action - the old magic never leaves you!
Can everyone check their beanie for Thomas T's name inside - got swapped by incompetent ref last week!

PRIZE GIVING XMAS 2008 Shane WILLIAMS

Shane can make it 2.30-3.30 on Sunday for Xmas presentation at the cricket club. MUMS/DADS/BROTHERS/SISTERS/GRANDPARENTS tag match 1.45 Cricket Club. On this occasion winning is everything!

TEAMWORK IS THE KEY

A very productive training session with genuine flahes of potential to achieve our next goal and performance level. Quite simply this is realizing the importance of teamwork and working together rather than individuals. We must all emphasize the importance of support, passing and position: communicating together to make attacking or defencive lines. Training on Sunday 9.45 -11.15 Bishopston. Players of the week will go to the strongest contributors to teamwork and we will encourage the keen runners to learn about unselfish options and the power of the 'team'.

Training is a success

Many Thanks to all who helped make our training session a success on the weekend.
As was foretold the Mumbles Pirates showed great spirit and some hefty challenges proved a bit too dangerous at times, but it shows that they all want the success in being part of a team who are going places, not to mention enjoying themselves, which clearly showed in their playing and movement.
Defense and Attacking formations were heavily worked on and paid off with some great passing movements whilst looking to keep these positions.
Training this Sunday at our adopted home ground Bishopston for 9.45am start, please. Finally i want to say a big well done to our players of the week Alex and Max a great effort guys :)

Weekend Plans: Training at Bishopston and Parents' Do at the Club

Friday Night: Don't forget the Minis Section Xmas Do at Mumbles Rugby Club. From 8 till late. Rav's Quiz starts at 8:30 followed by Disco. Only £3 a ticket with all proceeds going to the teams. You can pay on the door or get a ticket from Mike (7s) or Donna (9s). Come along and support the club. All parents / grandparents / friends / anyone are welcome. Drag someone along or just pop in for a pint.

Sunday: Change of plan. Morriston have double booked and cancelled their match. The Pirates will be training at Bishopston 9.45 start.

Pencoed

Lots of complements from the opposition about our close fought 7;5 game with Pencoed. They were the best drilled team I have seen and so far undefeated so it was great to give them such a competetive game. We will have to adopt the defence cry "READY, SET, OUT" which really focused the taggers.

With the cold weather the hoodies and beanies were a very useful addition.

Tony's Match Report

1st Half
As they lined up before the start, immediately the contrast between the two sides was clear. Mumbles a fun loving bunch of free runners was up against a well organised and intimidating team. I was half expecting to see a haka. The game did not start well with Pencoed powering through the Crossbones line for their first try (A lot to do with very cold hands not being able to tag). Pencoed continued to run and pass strongly scoring five tries. However, the Crossbones flair showed through and the team came back to score three tries using our secret weapon Will. (3-5)
2nd Half
Just like last week the benefit of training showed and the defensive line became stronger as the game went on. Liam scored a very quick try. The Crossbones seemed to have a self belief and were working well together. An unfortunate dropped ball lead to another Pencoed try. The Crossbones dug deep and faced up to Pencoed who shouted out calls to each other as they lined up. Some good running lead to Will’s fourth try and it was only a very good run by Pencoed that enabled them to get a try close to the end. (2-2)
On reflection a 5 to 7 loss is not bad and parents/coaches must be proud as the Crossbones showed great heart and some fine rugby skills to compete with such an organised team on such a bitterly cold day.