Ospreys Cup
Bryncethin 22 Mumbles 20
Mumbles 12 Bryncoch 5
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Felinfoel 24 Mumbles 17
Pencoed X Mumbles X
Tata Steel 20 Mumbles 31
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Gordano 5 Mumbles 37
Bryncethin 22 Mumbles 20
Mumbles 12 Bryncoch 5
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Felinfoel 24 Mumbles 17
A journey out west for the 13 boys playing on Sunday as they traveled to Felinfoel. The game saw Mumbles starting well with some quick ball and wide play finishing with a couple of tries. Felinfoel fought back, however and replied to each Mumbles try with one of their own. The game finished with a score for the home side that resulted in them winning a hard game.
Mumbles 15 Swansea Uplands 12
A tough encounter against a physical Swansea Uplands side in the howling wind in Bishopston this Sunday. There was nothing in it for lots of the game, with Mumbles running some great angles in the backs and matching the forwards up front. Another close game against class mates and friends.
Mumbles 49 Bryncoch 10
Nice to welcome our friends from Bryncoch onto the main pitch in Underhill this weekend for the usual hard fought game. Perfect timing saw the rain starting just as we kicked off, but that did nothing to affect the handling skills of The Crusaders as they had a morning when everything seemed to stick.
Bryncoch made the game a much tougher encounter than the score might suggest, and contributed to a fantastic spectacle of rugby from both teams.
Pontarddulais 38 Mumbles 5
A hard fought game closer than the score might suggest against Pontarddulais this morning. Our hosts made the most of the breaks coming their way to pull away into a commanding lead by half time. The Crusaders came back fighting in the second half, eventually getting on the scoreboard after a number of near miss try opportunities. Pontarddulais score another couple of break aways towards the end of the game to seal the victory.
Tata Steel 20 Mumbles 31
The Crusaders fought off a very physical Tata Steel side in Port Talbot in an evenly fought game. The sun made it seem more like summer as the boys played some great rugby in the heat going into an early lead before Tata fought back. Mumbles extended their narrow half time lead in the second half, eventually coming out deserved winners in a tough encounter.
Mumbles 5 Loughor 17
A good test for The Crusaders on the weekend against our friends from Loughor in a hard fought match in Bishopston. Both sides attacked and defended well in the first half, with Loughor making the most of their chances, going into the break 12-0 up.
The Mumbles boys came back strong in the second half, drawing it 5-5 with the visitors to make the final score 17-5 to Loughor.
Special mention must got to Lyndon who is currently turning down numerous peace keeping invites from the U.N. - A flawless refereeing display that was informative at all times to coaches and players alike.
Morriston 14 Mumbles 19
A great win for the Crusaders today away in a wet and windy Morriston. It felt like mid November rather than the end of summer, but all the boys played well, with some fantastic handing in the difficult conditions.
Morriston took the lead playing with the wind, but Mumbles stuck to it and were rewarded for their attacks with 2 tries before half time. Playing with the wind in the second half the Crusaders managed another try before a little come-back from the Morriston boys clawed back a second try.
Whitchurch 4 Mumbles 1
Gordano 1 Mumbles 3
Llantwit Major 3 Mumbles 3
Well done to all the boys playing in three tough matches today in Whitchurch.
A great start to the season against three very different teams
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Gordano 5 Mumbles 37
The Crusaders saved one of the best performances for last against a tough and big Gordano team away on Sunday. Fifteen boys battled hard for the ball and played with a real enthusiasm and desire for running rugby. Well done to everyone involved
Mumbles 17 Gowerton 5
The Crusaders played the last home game of their u13s campaign against the visitors from Gowerton at Underhill. The boys worked hard playing uphill in the first half against a physical and strong Gowerton team, and went in at the break 12-0 up. Gowerton got their well deserved try at the beginning of the second half, before continued Mumbles pressure forced some mistakes from the visitors allowing The Crusaders to score again to make the final score 17-5
Dunvant 5 Mumbles 29
Dunvant gave us a warm welcome to a freezing cold and wet pitch on Sunday. The Crusaders struck first with Harry scorching in for a try under the posts. Dunvant brought a great deal of physicality to the game, and their impressive pack pushed Mumbles around at the breakdown, eventually getting a try back to make the score 7-5.
Some polite and gentle encouragement from Mike at half time seemed to do the trick for The Crusaders, as they came out in the second half with renewed enthusiasm, scoring a brace of tries, with the skillful hack-through being the weapon of the day in the wet conditions. Well done to all players who battled hard in some tough conditions. Come on springtime
Mumbleton Allstars 20 Gordano 19
The small numbers available in both Welsh camps meant a combined effort to take on our visiting English friends from Gordano. All players from Mumbles, Morriston and Gordano enjoyed a fantastic, hard fought game played in a superb spirit. There was some real end to end stuff, with both sides swapping players around to get everyone on the pitch at some point. The Mumbleton Allstars held out against some sustained Gordano pressure for the last five minutes to cling onto a 1 point win.
Mumbles 12 Morriston 5
Some great rugby played this weekend, despite the weather's attempt to ruin the games, everything went ahead at Bishopston. A squad depleted by illness, injury and school commitments battled hard against a similarly short Morriston outfit. There was some good play by both teams, but Mumbles wide play eventually earned them the win against a spirited Morriston effort.
Mumbles 10 Porthcawl 17
It was great to welcome Porthcawl to Underhill, as they made the journey down to Mumbles for the first time. The illness doing the rounds and cold morning did nothing to dampen the spirit of The Crusaders and hey took the lead in the first half. Porthcawl fought back quickly to score a converted try and take the lead. Both teams battled hard at the breakdown in what was an evenly matched game. Mumbles took the lead again before Porthcawl scored another try. It was Porthcawl, however, playing downhill who scored the winning try to end a great encounter.
Mumbles 17 Neath 12
Neath came down on the weekend to fill a fixture hole for The Crusaders. The third in the series of games against the all blacks was a close affair played on a very muddy underhill pitch. The standard of rugby was a credit to both teams in the conditions, and both sets of players played plenty of running rugby. It was Mumbles who took the lead with a try after eight phases of quick ball finally broke through the tough Neath defence.
Neath struck back and Mumbles sneaked another before Neath took the lead by converting their second try. In true Crusaders spirit the boys didnt give up and kept attacking to score with the last move of the game and win the match.
Bonymaen/Kenfig Hill All Stars 20 Mumbles 30
The traveling Crusaders braved the elements on top of a very blustery, cold, wet, sunny, thundery Bonymaen plateau to play a mixed Bonymaen and Kenfig Hill team. The game was played in great spirits despite the obvious problems with the conditions, and all sides coped admirably with the weather. The cold hands and even colder traveling spectators were rewarded with a 6 tries to 4 victory for Mumbles. No conversions left the score 30-20 to The Crusaders.
Mumbles 37 Pontarddulais 0
A great performance from the Crusaders this morning against the boys from Pontarddulais. Everyone involved played their part in a spirited squad performance that didn't let the visitors settle for the whole game. Mumbles made the most of the slope in the first half and continued to apply the pressure in the second with a fantastic defensive effort that prevented the boys from Bont from crossing our line for the whole game.
Swansea Uplands 5 Mumbles 0
Whitchurch 12 Mumbles 15
A nice change for the boys travelling up to Whitchurch. The journey did nothing to dampen the spirit in the team, as The Crusaders got stuck into the tough oppisition. The cold weather forced a few dropped balls from both sides and the first half ended with a 5-0 lead to Mumbles. whitchurch caught everyone napping at the beginning of the second half with two early tries, but once again the boys dug deep to claw back another two score. Some heroic defence at the end of the game kept Whitchurch from going over The Crusaders line to keep the scoreline to a narrow 15-12 win for Mumbles.
South Gower 0 Mumbles 10
A return to winning ways for the Crusaders on the weekend as we visited our good friends, close neighbours and rivals at South Gower. As is always the case at this fixture everyone got stuck in from both sides in a hard fought game. A superb effort by the whole Crusaders squad saw the boys get over for 2 unaswered tries in the first half. South Gower fought back in the second half, but two determined defences cancelled each other out, leaving the final score as 10-0 to The Crusaders.
Mumbles 0 Loghour 43
A tough work out for The Crusaders this morning against a very strong, powerful and well drilled Loghour team. The rain started to fall just as the game kicked off and the Mumbles boys took a while to get up to speed with the pace of the game, conceding a few tries in quick sucession. The boys showed great character coming back and keeping the game scoreless for long periods of time. The effort would eventually tell and Loughor slipped in for another few tries at the end of the game.
Mumbles 25 Bryncoch 0
It was great to welcome our friends from Bryncoch down to sunny Bishopston on Sunday for what was a fantastic game of competitive rugby. The Crusaders played some flowing rugby against a strong Bryncoch side, offloading nicely before contact to score tries on both wings. The second half was played inside the Mumbles 22 for long periods with only a strong defensive effort keeping Bryncoch out. Another couple of well worked tries took Mumbles clear towards the end of the game.
Mumbles 17 Neath 0
After the disappointment of not going to Tenby and South Gower being unavailable for the weekend, we were grateful to our friends at Neath Athletic for making the journey down on Sunday. It was another close battle between the two sides with both sets of players going about their game in the expected way.
The Crusaders played some great rugby in their shiny new kit, and went in at half time 7-0 to the good, unlucky not to finish off another couple of chances. The game remained tough to the end, with Mumbles scoring another 2 unanswered tries in the second period to take the victory.
The Crusaders played some great rugby in their shiny new kit, and went in at half time 7-0 to the good, unlucky not to finish off another couple of chances. The game remained tough to the end, with Mumbles scoring another 2 unanswered tries in the second period to take the victory.
Gowerton 28 Mumbles 27
A fantastic advert for u13s sport in Gowerton today, as two teams set about playing some outstanding rugby that was both physical and skillful. At times The Crusaders played some of their best rugby of the season so far, but were matched all the way by an outstanding Gowerton effort.
After a long arm wrestle and some great cover tacking by both teams Mumblkes eventaully started to pull away with the forwards providing some quick ball and the backs to running and defending hard.
A lead developed that spurred on a mighty comeback from the Gowerton boys who clinched the result with the last kick of the game.
Well done all the boys on both teams for a thoroughly entertaining game of rugby.
After a long arm wrestle and some great cover tacking by both teams Mumblkes eventaully started to pull away with the forwards providing some quick ball and the backs to running and defending hard.
A lead developed that spurred on a mighty comeback from the Gowerton boys who clinched the result with the last kick of the game.
Well done all the boys on both teams for a thoroughly entertaining game of rugby.
Neath 8 Mumbles 5
The Crusaders enjoyed their annual trip to Neath on Sunday for another tough encounter with the Athletic. A very physical Neath outfit played some good rugby, especially at the breakdown where they were everywhere! At times it felt like Neath had 16 players on the field, such was their ability to turn over breakdown ball. The 0-0 deadlock was eventually broken some way through the first half with the Neath kicker coping superbly with the Heineken Cup final-like pressure to slot a penalty between the uprights. The Crusaders nearly scored a couple of times, only to be brought down by some superb defensive tackling from the Neath boys. The pressure told in the end and Mumbles were rewarded for their efforts with an unconverted try. With the game on a knife-edge, the enthusiastic and vocal crowd were treated to a try from Neath, unconverted to take them 8-5 into the lead. The final whistle blew and the Neath boys celebrated a hard earned victory over The Crusaders.
Mumbles 5 Pencoed 22
A tough test for the Crusaders Sunday morning against a well drilled and strong Pencoed side. The visitors made life tough for the boys, taking the lead by a couple of tries before half time. Some good rugby in the second half by Mumbles lead to a wel worked try in the corner, but wasnt enough to stop Pencoed crossing another couple of times before the end of the game.
Mumbles 15 Felinfoel 14
Tropical Mumbles weather greeted our visitors from Felinfoel for this game. It felt more like the middle of February than the end of September, and both teams took time to get used to the conditions. Considering
the slippery ball and cold hands both teams showed some applaudable enterprise which resulted in a tough but well natured battle between two evenly matched sides. Well done to the boys for sticking to the task after falling behind and coming back to clinch the game. Let's hope for some warmer weather next week!
the slippery ball and cold hands both teams showed some applaudable enterprise which resulted in a tough but well natured battle between two evenly matched sides. Well done to the boys for sticking to the task after falling behind and coming back to clinch the game. Let's hope for some warmer weather next week!
Pontarddulais 26 Mumbles 5
A fantastic effort from the fifteen boys that made the trip over the bridge to Pontarddulais. This was always going to be a tough encounter and the boys played some fantastic rugby in a game that was much closer than the scoreline suggests. With every one of the boys playing hard for the full game, it was only a few missed opportunities that prevented the score being much closer.
All in all a fantastic game of rugby between two very evenly matched sides that was great to watch.
Mumbles 19 Swansea Uplands 5
The Crusaders kicked off the new season with a hard-fought win over friends and rivals Swansea Uplands at Underhill. Although it meant a later than normal kick off time, it was great to see the boys on the main pitch in Underhill, and such a great turn out for the beginning of the season.
There was some great rugby from both teams, with a couple of the Crusaders donning the Uplands colours to bolster the visitors' squad numbers.
Everyone played their part and got on for some rugby with Dan refereeing a free-flowing game. Special mention here for the fantastic effort in the line-out with Cian getting plenty of air-time to match some fantastic lifting and throwing in.
Plenty to work on for training on Wednesday - see you then...
Season 2011/12
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Mumbles 21 Pencoed31
A tough work out for The Crusaders this morning against a very physical Pencoed side. Both halves saw both sides scoring some great tries but Pencoed going in ahead at the break, scoring a try just before half time. The visitors physicaility continued to disrupt the boys in the second half, but they continued to fight to the last on a warm day. Highlight of the day, the April fool played by Mike and Lyndon on the boys and the look of anguish on some of the backs faces as they were told their positions in the scrum!
Neath 21 Mumbles 41 (maybe)
A great game up in Neath Sunday morning with the boys playing some great rugby to beat a determined and well drilled Neath outfit. The Crusaders forwards did a great job up front against a big Neath pack, securing and turning over plenty of ball for the backs. Special mention for Ben Marsden, stepping in to the dark world of the front row in the absence of a couple of our dark arts specialists. This was an extremely well disciplined Neath team, and the boys showed great character and skill in competing for the ball and then using it out wide to score some of the best tries of the season, backs and forwards combining with some lovely hands to get the ball wide and over the try line.A tough work out for The Crusaders this morning against a very physical Pencoed side. Both halves saw both sides scoring some great tries but Pencoed going in ahead at the break, scoring a try just before half time. The visitors physicaility continued to disrupt the boys in the second half, but they continued to fight to the last on a warm day. Highlight of the day, the April fool played by Mike and Lyndon on the boys and the look of anguish on some of the backs faces as they were told their positions in the scrum!
Neath 21 Mumbles 41 (maybe)
Mumbles 19 Morriston 12
Great to see the squad all together with the sun on their backs this morning, ready for the return match against Morriston. Some great play from the whole team brought some lovely tries in the first half, and pretty soon the Crusaders had built up a healthy lead. Morriston were far from done though, and fought back with some great rugby of their own. It was not enough, however and The Crusaders came out on top at the end of the game.
Tata Steel 24 Mumbles 26
A pretty even first half resulted in a 12-5 lead to the home side at the break. The Crusaders half time rallying call did the job and the boys came out firing in the second half. Another evenly fought 25 minutes left a 26-24 win for the Crusaders.
A great day out of the Swansea bubble, with those who stayed behind for the customary sausage and chips enjoying Tata's great facilities while watching a good game of u16s rugby from the executive balcony.
Mumbles 35 Gowerton 19
Swansea Uplands 10 Mumbles 7
Mumbles 20 Bonymaen 5
Loughor 14 Mumbles 12
The second half was much better for Mumbles, with Ollie Clark adding to the growing confidence to go over in the corner. Zac was unlucky with a difficult kick, but you could sense the boys going up a gear. Some great plays, strong scrummaging and more effective rucking kept us up in the Loughor half, with Rhys eventually side stepping his way through some heavy traffic to swallow dive under the posts. Converted by Zac, 14-12. The Crusaders kept on pressing hard, and very nearly got the score at the end that would have sealed a victory. It wasn't to be though and The Crusaders went down to a good Loughor side. Well done to all the boys, who kept their line intact for 3/4 of the game and fought back hard, showing fantastic character and determination.
South Gower 10 Mumbles 27
It was back to playing rugby at last for the Crusaders after the long Christmas break and some weekends of bad weather. Great to see everyone eager to play this morning for an early kick off on a freezing cold morning at South Gower. Some magnificent defending throughout the game, superb forward effort, particularly at the breakdown and nice running angles from the backs made for an exciting and evenly contested game to watch.
Mumbles 10 Pontarddulais 5
Mumbles 26 Swansea Uplands 10
Gowerton 19 Mumbles 26
The Crusaders away day weather lucky charm worked once again as we enjoyed a sun-kissed lunch time ramble up to Gowerton. The later than normal kick off and the hour gained by the clocks going back meant extra time in bed for all the boys. Zac turned up to provide the now customary support from the 'rested' contingent and the boys duly went about their business against a tough and physical Gowerton u12 set up. The Crusaders once again fronted up well against a big forward presence from the opposition, and played with some lovely offloading, effective rucking and well worked wide ball.
A real test for The Crusaders in Bishopston this morning from a well drilled and physical Loughor team. This bruising encounter saw two very evenly matched sides playing some fantastic rugby both in close quarters and out wide. The injuries bumps and bruises a testament to how hard the game was, with all the boys fronting up to the job on the day.
Some exciting Crusaders rugby saw the ball moved across the whole width of the field resulting in three well worked tries. Loughor had their share of good play but Mumbles hard and committed tackling managed to keep them away from the try line for most of the game.
Neath Athletic 12 - Mumbles 15
A scorcher at Cwrt Herbert this morning. A squad of 17 played on a full sized pitch against a strong Neath team who pushed us from start to finish.
The game was hard fought but played in good spirits. After some wayward kicking and passing in the first half, the Crusaders put together some better passages of play after half time.
We were not as fluent as we were against South Gower. In part we might have made more of our possession. However the Neath boys were physical and technically good in the contact area, turning over some significant ball.
As always, plenty to work on, whilst lots of positives from the players.
Mumbles 20 - South Gower 12
Our first home game of the season saw The Crusaders traveling further than the opposition as we entertained our near neighbors from South Gower who had just hopped over the hedge for the game.
Some serious bragging rights for school on Monday were at stake, as newly formed class friendships were put to the test on the field.
The Crusaders wasted no time in getting things going with some good rucking and fluid back play. South Gower were very much in the game, but a 15-0 lead at half time from 3 tries had put some distance between The Crusaders and the opposition.
Well done all the boys and a big thank you to all the supporting Crusaders turning up on their 'rest week' to support the rest of the squad!
Dunvant 0 - Mumbles 42 (maybe)
A good start to the season by the Crusaders on their travels to Dunvant.
The 16 page Matrix print out of tactical plays and opposition analysis obviously did the trick, as our first game of 8-man scrummaging on a full size pitch seemed to hold no fear for the boys as they went about their business with some great back moves and powerful forward play.
It was fantastic to see the boys back in action after the long summer break.
If anyone fancies themselves as a budding sports journalist, or Mills and Boon novelist, email your match report to mumblescrusaders@gmail.com and it can go up on the blog.
