MUMBLES RUGBY CLUB
‘BETWEEN THE POSTS’
February 2024
Welcome to Mumbles Rugby Club and the February edition of the monthly newsletter ‘Between the Posts’. There is news of events both on and off the field so plenty to read about this month.
ON THE PITCH
The 1st XV played at home for the first time in 2024 when they hosted Nantgaredig cheered on by a host of former players who were celebrating the 20th anniversary of the club tour to Canada. All was looking good at half-time with the boys 15-3 up and in total control. Whatever was said to the opposition at the break worked as they ran in four tries to Mumbles one try and a final score of 20-24. The only consolation was the boys picked up 2 bonus points, but it could and should have been 5 points! After a week off because of the Wales Scotland game next up was a visit to Amman Utd but the game was called off due to a waterlogged pitch. Supporters wishing to go on the team bus to Milford Haven on Saturday meet in the club by 11.00 a.m.
The 2nd XV played previously unbeaten Cwmavon at Bishopston. The boys put in a magnificent performance and almost caused an upset. But with the last play of the game Cwmavon intercepted a pass and ran in the winning try, leaving the boys devastated in defeat 25-29 but proud of their performance.
The Youth squad continued their good form but unfortunately were pipped by a point 7-8 in their home game with unbeaten Aberavon Green Stars.
Forthcoming fixtures for the 1st XV, 2nd XV and Youth are as follows:
1st XV 2nd XV Youth
Sat 17th Feb Milford Haven (a) T B C Taibach (a)
Sat 24th Feb No Games Ireland v Wales k.o. 2.15 p.m.
Sat 2nd March Amman Utd (h) Bryncoch (a) Briton Ferry (a)
Sat 9th March Pontyberem (a) T B C T B C
Sat 16th March No Games Wales v Italy k.o. 2.15 p.m.
Sat 23rd March St Clears (h) T B C Waunarlwydd (h)
Sat 30th March Fishguard (a) T B C Kenfig Hill (h)
Sat 6th April St Clears (a) T B C T B C
JUNIOR SECTION
All Junior teams continue to field big numbers at all age groups, so much so that it’s giving coaches some challenges to give everyone a game! The AWP is proving to be a big asset plus both grass pitches in full use every Sunday, long may it continue!
MUMBLES LADIES
Mumbles Ladies and Girls are progressing well and like the boys’ numbers increasing all the time. Off the field they are raising funds with events like a Quiz night in conjunction with the Ospreys last week, well done girls!
SOCIAL EVENTS
The Six Nations Tournament has started with good numbers in the club both upstairs and downstairs for all the games so far. Ireland looks like the team to beat and had Wales woken up in the first half of their game against Scotland who knows! I think they showed enough against England that this young side is learning, and the future looks good! These are the next rounds of fixtures:
Sat 24th Feb – Ireland v Wales k.o. 2.15 p.m.
Sat 24th Feb – Scotland v England k.o. 4.45 p.m.
Sun 25th Feb – France v Italy k.o. 3.00 p.m.
Sat 9th March – Italy v Scotland k.o. 2.15 p.m.
Sat 9th March – England v Ireland k.o. 4.45 p.m.
Sun 10th March – Wales v France k.o. 3.00 p.m.
Three more dates for your diary are:
The Former Players evening this coming Friday 16th February 7.30 p.m. in the club. There will be a buffet and of course plenty of Beer and Wine as we chat over all those memories of yesteryear. If you are still in touch with players from your era who may have lost touch with the club, please get them along for what should be a great evening! Everybody welcome! Also, tributes to former players no longer with us, such as Doug Baker and others we have lost over the last 12 months.
On Saturday 2nd March the 1st XV play Amman Utd in Underhill k.o. 2.30 p.m. The game is sponsored by former player and coach Phil Rees. Phil has managed to get Mike Ruddock and his band to play a live gig in BAR 1887 after the game as part of his sponsorship. So come along to the game and cheer on the boys and then back to the club to listen to Mike and the boys with the promise of an opportunity to sing with the band later in the evening! It sounds a great day not to be missed!
On Sunday 3rd March 2.00 p.m. we have the Ospreys Supporters Choir providing the entertainment for our St David’s Day concert in the club. Everybody is welcome and there will be a bowl of Cawl to enjoy as well, what a great afternoon it will be!
100 CLUB
The February draw for a prize of £50 in the 100 Club, will take place in the club on Friday at the Former Players Evening.
It’s not too late to join the 100 Club and have a chance of winning these cash prizes. For just £5 a month you can be a winner. Ask for a 100 Club membership form from either the club steward or Gareth Bennett. All proceeds go into a club account ringfenced to help all teams including the ladies to buy kit and training equipment!
SAD NEWS
Having told you last month of three friends of the club had passed away over the Christmas period, I was notified of another former player Neil Thomas had also passed away just after Christmas. Neil who was 71 lived in the Vale of Glamorgan but kept in touch with the club through the Newsletter and often attended the Former Players evenings. He played alongside the likes of Wynford Jones, Paul Hill, Clive Davies. Nick Carter, Roger Johnson, Steve John and many more.
And then only yesterday we heard of the passing of Peter Bray, our former Treasurer who moved over to become treasurer of MCA when the Underhill project was launched and made a significant contribution to the success of the project. A very meticulous man with an expert eye for the hidden detail in complex agreements, Peter will be sorely missed by all particularly his fellow Trustees of MCA.
Our sincere condolences to both Neal’s family and Peter’s family for their loss.
UNDERHILL PROJECT
You may remember in last month’s issue I reported the delay in obtaining a test certificate from World Rugby which would enable the players to use the AWP for contact training and fixtures. Well, the good news is after a lot of chasing by officers in MCA the certificate has finally been issued. Many thanks to MCA for all the chasing, at least the club can now have fully involved training sessions and hopefully play some games on the AWP especially if the grass pitches are unplayable!
The Walking Rugby Team had their first ‘game’ last week when they took on Morriston. Although the result didn’t go their way the real winner was the ‘Walking Rugby family. If you fancy getting back to throwing the oval ball about again and have fun doing it, then come along on Wednesday evenings 5.30 to 6.30 p.m. You will need the correct footwear but that is easily solved with the Boot Room on site!
Well, that’s it for this month. It’s going to be a busy time in the club with the Six Nations ongoing, the Former Players evening on 16th February and the St David’s Day afternoon on 3rd March and of course Mike Ruddock back in the club the day before on Saturday 2nd March. Please come along and support the club.
We would love to see you and your support can really help us through these difficult times! I look forward to seeing you in the club or over the park.
Martin Rodwell e.mail: martinrodwell123@btinternet.com
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