Friday 12 May 2017

Mumbles RFC May Newsletter




MUMBLES RUGBY CLUB
                                                                         


   ‘BETWEEN THE POSTS’
May 2017
Welcome to Mumbles Rugby Club and the monthly newsletter ‘Between the Posts’. There is news of what is going on in and around the club as we come to the end of the season. Make sure you note the dates for the important social events coming up in May and June, they will be great nights you won’t want to miss!

ON THE PITCH
The 1st XV continued their good form since the turn of the year but suffered some agonising defeats during April with just bonus points as consolation. The last home game was against Hendy and the final score of 12-25 was not a true reflection of how well the boys played. A midweek trip to Carmarthen followed and again despite 8 changes from the team who played Hendy it was another good performance and another bonus point from a 23-25 defeat. Tycroes away was next up and despite a great first half performance the boys just came up short again going down 15-22 but another bonus point! So the season comes to an end this weekend with the long trip to Fishguard coming almost a month after the Tycroes game! Don’t ask; let’s just say the WRU seem to have something against Mumbles when it comes to sorting out issues which are completely out of our hands. Anyway the game is on Saturday and it would be great to see you come along to support the boys. Meet in the club at 9.30 a.m. with the bus leaving at 10.00 a.m.
The Youth have had a difficult season but have battled on and had a tremendous finale to the season which I had the pleasure of watching. South Gower away was always going to be a test and despite dominating the game it looked like they were going to come up short. But never give up has been the plan this season and a last play move gave the boys a try to win the game 8-7! Next up was Vardre which should have been played at Underhill but because of the ground work going on had to be played midweek up in Vardre. Again the boys dominated the game but found themselves level at 12-12, Vardre scoring a try with time up. There was just time to restart the game and suddenly the Ref gave Mumbles a penalty but on the halfway line! Up stepped Captain Mark Cotterall and with no apparent nerves thumped the kick between the posts for a magnificent 3 points and a well-deserved victory! Although they are 2 games short of completing a full fixture list the boys finished third in their division, a tremendous effort.
JUNIOR SECTION
Like the Seniors and Youth the Junior teams enjoyed a good season. A combined U15/16’s hosted a tour party from The Hague and came out 42-24 winners in a very entertaining game. Well done to John Benson for getting the game on despite the tourists being 2 hours late due to a few problems as the bus dropped the party off at Mumbles Cricket Club! The good news continues for the Juniors as we were able to present them with £1,000, the proceeds from the Alun Wyn/Geoff Wheel evening. This figure was matched after a very generous donation from Swansea Building Society. So £2,000 in the coffers for the Juniors, great news!   

BAR 1887 and LOUNGE
As I mentioned in the last issue we are pressing ahead with the refurbishment of the outside area of the club and documents have been filed with Swansea Council seeking planning permission for the refurb to be done. Work will start as soon as we get the go ahead and hopefully you will be able to enjoy a nice glass of wine or a pint or two sitting outside during the summer!
AUTUMN INTERNATIONALS
The WRU have told us that orders for tickets for the Autumn Internationals matches must be with them by Friday 19th May 2017.The games/ticket prices are as follows:
Sat 11th Nov   Australia  ko 17.15          Tickets £45 under 16's £15
Sat 18th Nov Georgia ko 14.30               Tickets £20 under 16's £10
Sat 25th Nov New Zealand  ko 17.15    Tickets  £75 no reduction for under 16's
Sat 2nd Dec  South Africa  ko 14.30      Tickets  £45  under 16's £15
Please let Clive Davies know asap if you want any tickets but in any case before 19th May!

100 CLUB
Congratulations to Peter Blyth the winner of the £50 March draw and Peter Ebenezer winner of £50 for April. Why not join the 100 Club, which will run throughout the close season. For just £5 per month you will be entered in the draw with a chance of winning £50, while every 4th month there is a super cash prize of £500! See club steward Skinny and complete an application form. You have to be in it, to win it! 
CLUB WEBSITE
John Benson continues to work hard updating the club website but is keen to hear from you our members and especially the Juniors who we hope will post news, reports, pictures and fixtures for their team. I’m sure you have pictures of the boys on tour that could go on the website. Please get in contact with John via e.mail: johnd.benson@ntlworld.com
SOCIAL EVENTS IN BAR 1887
Where else could I start but the Alun Wyn Jones/Geoff Wheel evening which was an outstanding success with a packed club entertained by two legends from different eras of Welsh rugby. Alun Wyn, who only three days earlier had been named in the British and Irish Lions tour party to New Zealand gave us a great insight of a Lions tour, whereas Geoff revealed the reason why he was withdrawn from the Lions tour party in 1974 due to injury despite having a letter declaring his fitness to tour! It wasn’t all serious and Geoff had us in stiches when telling us about the Wales tour to Canada when someone chucked his Ukulele over Niagara Falls only for it to turn up the next day in his room!
We will soon be into the British & Irish Lions tour of New Zealand and we will be showing the entire tour live in BAR 1887! Obviously these will be morning games and a poster is displayed both in the club and on the noticeboards outside with dates and k.o. times and when the club is open. Before the tour starts we have an Evening with a former British & Irish Lion Andy Powell, which you will remember we had to postpone in March. Tickets are now on sale and going fast, so get yours now!

Saturday 13th May – Players Presentation Evening 7.30 p.m. – This is the annual awards night for the 1st XV and Youth Players. Dan Evans from the Ospreys will be presenting the awards, there will be a buffet and a Live Band to round off what I know will be a superb night! Everybody is welcome and I know the boys are keen to have your support on the night as we announce the Player of the Year and many more awards.   

Friday 19th May – MRFC Golf Day Langland Bay Golf Club – I’m delighted to say our annual Golf Day is sold out with 24 teams competing, let’s hope the sun shines!

Friday 2nd June – An Evening with Andy Powell – The next in our series of Rugby evenings is a night in the company of former Wales International and British & Irish Lion Andy Powell and Host/Comedian Phil Howe who are both very funny, so it is sure to be a great evening! Tickets are just £5 each available from the bar.

SPECIAL OFFER
As you probably know Bistrot Pierre are opening their new restaurant in Oyster Wharf next week. They are offering 50% off meals booked on the following dates:
Sunday 4th June – Thursday 8th June, Sunday 11th June – Thursday 15th June, Monday 19th June – Thursday 22nd June
This is for MRFC members only so you need to come through me to book your meal.

Well that’s about it for this month, a busy time ahead. Be sure to book your tickets for the Andy Powell evening on 2nd June. In the meantime I hope to see you on Saturday night in BAR 1887, toasting success for Mumbles RFC!


Martin Rodwell                                             e.mail: martinrodwell123@btinternet.com

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