From the Bishopton High Veld
Filed by Francois Morganeer
Sunday 2nd November 2008
Mumbles 11 Bishopston 0
On a beautiful November morning, where conditions and temperatures were ideal for the type of rugby embraced by the Crusaders, we sought to gain an early psychological advantage over our respected opponents by moving the First Test from our spiritual home Parc Dan y Bryn to play in the energy sapping altitude and thinner air of the Bishopton High Veld.
With all the data from the matrix not fully available until half an hour from kick off, we finally were able to call upon 15 good men and true to enter into the complex matrix code //2468 never 2 late 3579//. This allowed us to formulate 3 groups as follows:-
The players and groups
Group A Group B Group C
Rhys C (1) Max (6) Aled (11)
Rhys D (2) Harry (7) Alex (12)
Keiran (3) Tom G (8) Connor (13)
Cameron (4) Cian (9) Ben M (14)
Lloyd (5) Sam (10) Nathan (15)
After weeks of general frustration but recent gradual improvement, it seemed to finally click today for the team and the Technical Director of Rolling Substitutions, who eventually mastered his 5 times table and ability to recite and recall the first three letters of the Modern English Alphabet. With this difficulty seamlessly resolved, the boys played with tremendous enthusiasm, continuity and collective pride against what was, despite the misleading scoreline, a very good, well drilled and determined Gowerton team.
Especially pleasing was the enormous pride and determination everyone took in a Herculean defensive effort in which we were quite rightly rewarded with another "BIG D" shut out. This type of hardnosed attitude in rugby cannot be instilled into players but is something that comes from within, to quote the old saying for all sports, especially ones like rugby, " A coach cannot put in what God left out ". However, this particular aspect of today's game gave all associated with Team Crusaders an enormous amount of satisfaction and was a general discussion point amongst all the touchline Connoisseurs of Colossus.
For the record, and equally pleasing, was the number of different names on the scoresheet, with contributions from Rhys C (4), Max (4) Rhys D, Harry, Cian and Keiran (editor's note: we think these were the scorers, but the high altitude might have got the better of us, please advise). However it is important to note that in a TEAM GAME all these scores were as a direct result of the hard work of all 15 players used on the day, where it is fair to say, we probably played as well as we have ever done.
Team Crusaders would like to thank Bishopston for allowing us to use their facilities and also thank the Gowerton team for their efforts and never-say-die attitude today. The game was played in a fantastic spirit and this is a credit to the players, coaches and parents of both sides. Thanks especially to Gowerton coaches Dai and Lyn for graciously accepting the better team on the day won and the manner in which they encourage their players to play the game. It is again another fixture and welcome we look forward to honouring.
Key Dates For The Diary
* Wednesday 5th November - NO TRAINING
* Wednesday 5th November - 5.30 - 7.30 An effigy of Mike Morgan's former DT teacher climbs up a pile of wood (St Helens)
* Thursday 6th November - 7.30 - 8.15 Lyndon learns how to play buzz using the number 7 (Ostreme Hall Mumbles, all welcome.)
* Sunday 9th November -Mumbles Crusaders v Cowbridge 11am kick off. They are bring TWO teams so everyone is required.
Tom gets held up on the line and Harry takes the offload to dive over.
Max and Rhys helped themselves to a couple of tasty breakaways
The boys listen intently to Gaynor's post match debrief
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