Wednesday 28th April

NO TRAINING this week.

Bluestone Tour

One more event left for the season. The boys' first big Tour. Here is the plan...

Friday 7th May
Meet at 5pm at Cefneithen Rugby Club (Cross Hands). Play two matches, against Cefneithen and Pontyberem kicking off at 5:30. Leave Cefneithen at 7.00 to arrive at Bluestone for 8pm. The reason for the early start is so we can get to Bluestone in a decent time, early enough for the boys to get in a swim if they want. Obviously some of us might not easily be able to get there for 5. If this is the case, let us know and we will try and arrange lifts so the players can all be there for the start of the tour.

Saturday 8th May
Leave for Heatherton at 11.30
Heatherton activities 12-3. Paintballing at Heatherton 3-5
Evening at Bluestone (Possible BBQ!!)

Sunday 9th May
Morning: play Narbeth and Whitland at Narbeth RFC.

London Welsh

A great day on Saturday, with fantastic visitors from London Welsh. LW were very grateful for the hospitality and very complimentary on the boys rugby. Sunday was a game too far, and we have taken note of that. Well done to all the boys, they took some nasty knocks, and as the day got colder and colder it was surprising that any Crusaders were left standing at the end, let alone in the good spirits that they showed. A well earned rest this Wednesday and next weekend. Details for Lucton to follow.

Weekend Plans

Don't forget Girls Night Out tonight! Cafe Valance at 8:00.

Saturday: We are entertaining London Welsh. Please meet at Underhill at 1:00 for a 1:30 KO. After the match all the players and tourists are invited back to the clubhouse for sausage and chips.

Sunday: The Gower Festival of Rugby.Meet at Graig y Coed playing fields in Penclawdd at 10:00. Directions here. Drive through Penclawdd and the fields are up on a bank on the left. Lots of parking on the road just before you get to it. We will play all the local sides and the day will finish with presentation of medals at 3:30.

We will carry on on Wednesdays, and have the Bluestone Tour to look forward to, but this will be the last formal Sunday Morning!

Lucton FInal Plans: 7:30 Meet

Just remembered something from last year. Even though it was a lovely day, because we arrive early in the morning we found it very cold to start with, and even though it hasn't been raining the ground will be wet with dew. Some warm clothes and picnic rugs / chairs are essential for the morning.

Details for Luctonians tournament...
Firstly, in case anyone didn't get the message, we can only take a small squad to the Lucton tournament, so this year we gave priority to those boys who were not able to go last time. Also, having to play under English rules there are fewer forwards than usual. The final squad for next Sunday is Max, Bradley, Zac, Josh, Sam Hyde, Keiran, Kieran, Cam, Rhys C, Matthew, Nathan, Alex, Cian.

If anyone is travelling separately, directions to the venue can be found here. Main club website for Luctonians RFC is here. Aim to meet us there at about 10:30.

Everyone else please meet the coach outside Mumbles Rugby Club at 07:30 on Sunday morning. We need to be on the road before 08:00. The cost is £20 per player plus 1 supporter. Additional supporters are welcome and can have a seat on the coach for £5. (Brothers and sisters are free). There is plenty of room on the bus but please send me a text if you are bringing a group of more than 3. Please bring the cash on the day.

We'll have a quick stop on the way for fresh air, and aim to arrive at Luctonians by 10:00, which is the latest registration time. The tournament starts at 11:00. Please bring plenty to eat and drink, and anything to keep the boys busy. Chairs and picnic rugs are very useful. If anyone has a lightweight gazebo that would be very useful too, to set up camp. Send me a txt if you can bring one.

There is a good clubhouse and BBQ all day. The tournament was very well organised last year, and finished about 4:00. We'll aim to hit the road about 5:00 and be back in Mumbles about 7:00.

Any questions please contact Mike G during the week. 07846 334 962.

Best wishes Rhys

All the Crusaders send a get well soon wish to Rhys D. During the game against Aberavon this afternoon, and after a typically strong run, Rhys fell awkwardly and injured his hand. It's not like Rhys to ever complain so the coaches knew straight away that it needed to be checked out properly. Dad Mike was quick to take Rhys off to casualty. When we have any news we will report here.

Medical Update: Rhys will be out of action and in plaster for a couple of weeks with a broken arm. We wish Rhys a speedy recovery, from all the Crusaders.

Grrls Nite Out

An early warning for a Crusaders Girls Night Out. Drinks on Friday 23rd April, meet at Cafe Valance at 7:30.

You will have your formal teamer notification for this event soon.