SUNDAY 29th March

Don’t forget clocks go forward. Meet at Gowerton and Fall Bay (squads below) at 10.30 for 11.00 kick off. Gowerton squad likely playing Gowerton and Penclawdd I hear. If you fancy bringing cameras, best photos to go on blog each week. PLAYER OF THE WEEK TO GO TO THE BEST TAGGING EFFORT IN EACH SQUAD.

Sunday 29th Fall Bay & Gowerton Away

Well done to everyone for such an enthusiatic and successful first contact match. Bad luck Max B for surviving the game and breaking his arm walking home. Still awaiting final confirmation but planned trips to Fall Bay and Gowerton squads are as follows.Like Warren Gatland we are experimenting with new combinations although international selections were not determined quite so much by who's brother is playing where. I hope this works to split coaches and accomodate preferences but let me know...(and let me know if you're away in case we need to balance numbers up)
cheers Alex

PIRATES vs GOWERTON (with Rob, Will, Paul, John & Chris)

Connor O
Luke
Megan
Jon
Rhydian
Tomasz
Alex
Cai
Elias
Ioan
Dylan
Declan
Tomos A

PIRATES vs Fall Bay (Alex, Jay & Ceri)

Josh
Will
Liam
Max P
Matthew
Tal
Sean
Freddie
Connor M
Jake
Ryan
Thom T

Sunday 22nd March

No match this weekend. Instead there will be training, for the whole squad, at 9:30am at Underhill Park.

Tea and toast in bed for your Mums first.......don't forget that it's Mothers Day.

Match Report, Dunvant 15 March

Great game for the Crossbones against Dunvant. Their referee was excellent and since it was warm and sunny he was happy just to let the game run - I think the final score was agreed at 10-10. Will scored most of these (and got a player of the week award), Tal one and apologies if I missed anyone else getting over the line. Meg did a great job of directing the game - a captain for the future! We saw some great ball handling skills and tagging, but also need to work on the defensive line and supporting during attacking play. The Ref also needed to talk to both teams about some over enthusiastic tackling - no contact until next year!!

Special mentions for Dylan, who volunteered to play (and almost scored) for Dunvant, Elias who had a nasty knock to the head and had to sit out most of the game and Ioan who received the other player of the week award for such good improvement in his play and concentration over the season.

Sorry no photos this week - see you down Underhill on Sunday.

Gum Shields & Training Tops

We would recommend everyone gets a gum shield now as most sessions will have some contact component.Following up on an enquiry last week:The blue long sleeved fleece lined tops with 'Mumbles Rugby' are available through the club sizes 26-34 for the kids @ £15 each. I can place an order through the junior secretary.

Dunvant Tournament Sunday May 3rd

Dunvant are putting on a tournament at the end of the season on bank holiday w'end. Multiple matches, all day bar and BBQ.A great opportunity to sign off the season and to give everyone a taste of tournament action. Please let me know availability whether we try for one or two teams (alexchase@btinternet.com).

Skullduggery-March 15th

Well done to the skulls for their passing tag game and a splendid contact session - very impressive start.

Sunday 8th, Gower Cup & Kit

Well done to all who braved the rain last Sunday. Dividing the pitch into lanes was very helpful to keep the line in attack and defence. Already muddy it was a must to introduce a taste for tackling with an excellent effort by all, especially our ‘volunteers’ Jay & John.

Remember:

Cheek to Cheek
Ring of Steel
Slide Low

I have had some questions about the Gower Cup at Penclawdd on April 26th. Unfortunately they will not allow us to enter 2 teams and the squad size is restricted For this game only therefore there will be an element of ‘selection’ based on the usual strengths of commitment, attendance, ability, effort and concentration with the will to progress as far as possible in the tournament.

I am pleased that both trophies have resurfaced. There are also a few hoodies and beanies left over if anyone missed out or mislaid. As we introduce contact I would be grateful also if everyone would consider a gum shield and scrum cap to maximize safety. Good luck to the Crossbones at Dunvant. We will be mixing the squads up again for the remainder of the fixtures.

Sunday 15th March

This weekend the Skulls are training at Underhill Park - meet there at 9:30 for an hour or so of fun in the mud.

Skulls: Jake C, Max P, Tomasz B, Thomas T, Cai B-L, Ryan C, Max B, Rhydian D, Josh B, Connor M, John D



The Crossbones have a match AWAY at Dunvant RFC. Meet at their ground at 10:00 for a quick training session and warm-up before the game. Kick-off, so I am assured, will be 10:30 prompt.

Crossbones: Will M, Liam T, Megan F, Elias A, Ioan H, Tomos A, Tal E, Matthew G, Alex D, Connor O’S, Freddie B, Sean M, Dylan T

Directions to Dunvant RFC can be found on the following links:
Directions to Dunvant RFC

Sunday 8th March

We were due to have a match against Bonymaen this weekend, unfortunately, the game has been cancelled as they do not have an U8's team. Instead, there will be training for the whole squad at Underhill Park - meet at 9:30.

HELP NEEDED This weekend 5 of the 6 regular coaches cannot make it for one reason or another. Paul (Elias's Dad) has kindly offered to take training. He needs some help to look after 20 odd eight year olds. Please bring your boots or trainers and give Paul a hand ..... he is going to need it (That includes all the Mum's on the touchline, as well!!)

"Loughor beaten!" our 4th Victory in a row

"HAPPY ST DAVIDS DAY"
Happy St. Davids Day to all of us, and what a fine bright sunny day it was... Sara (Max bowyers mum) was at the ready to hand out the Welsh Cakes at the end of a fantastic game which finished us "THE PIRATES" beating a well organised Loughor Under8's side.
A hatrick scored by Liam, Will made it 2 more, Ryan and Jake both scored points and John doing a fantastic run from the halfway line to go it alone and score.
Matthew Meg Tal Iowain were all a tower of strength in the heat of the battle and all the Pirates held thier positions well. the 2 Connors had fantastic games pulling out all the stops in going forward with the ball, Alex Rhydian Thomas - again played with Pirate spirit, and sang a song which went something like "Skulls Crossbones the Mumbles Pirates" I think that is the making for a great HAKA dont you think?? 8-4 to us the final score.. well done lets keep it up we are on a roll.. but the main importance is that you all enjoyed. Thanks to all who helped out with the Training session and the substitutions. Thanks once again for the pictures Tony, they show great Action shots (luckily none of which my Legs are in)