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MUMBLES RFC - Sponsorship update
Dear Mumbles RFC friends,
We would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your continued support as we’ve moved to the Hwb. I’m sure you will all agree that the atmosphere on weekends has been excellent and we look forward to sharing more memorable weekends moving forward.
Firstly, some good news around our commercial efforts. Supporting our aim of creating a financially stable and ‘one club’ ethos, that prides itself on inclusivity and enjoyment for all, we have made good strides since late summer. We faced a deficit of circa 20K when we first met in July and set ourselves a plan to generate £66k of income to cover all our operational costs and meet the deficit. We are now happy to report that we will achieve this target, through securing over £20K in club sponsorship, £8k from match day contributions, new Patron members and our re-branded monthly lottery draw.
The successful weekend activity has also allowed us to start negotiations with the Hwb for concessions towards our projected cost. To date we have secured an 8.5k contribution to our operational costs and we will continue to review these costs and additional concessions as our relationships develop further with the Hwb. We hope you are enjoying the discounted bar prices, hopefully with Sunday cafe concessions coming soon.
As a result of the positive steps, we have decided to re-invest this cost saving back into the club. As a small thank you to everyone for your hard work and continued support, we will shortly be ordering:-
1. New rugby equipment, (Balls, Bibs, Tackle Bags and Cones) for everyone to use, enhaning coaching activities and playing member enjoyment.
2. New on field ‘One Club’ playing kit for all teams
3. Off Field Wet jackets for all volunteers across our senior and junior teams
4. Bobble hats for every playing member in the club.
We aim for all teams to be sporting their new kit by early in the new year.
We will also shortly be sharing an events schedule which will include a Xmas Carol Service, Santa's Grotto and our plans around a renewed Crackers Event next summer. This weekend also saw us draw our second monthly lottery with £225 prizes allocated to members.
Thanks again for your continued support! We look forward to working with you to build a rugby club that we can all be proud to be associated with.
Regards
Business Development Steering Group
Season 2024 / 2025
Senior section October reflections
After a fairly tough opening round of fixtures for the first team in the month of September, unfortunately October wasn't the most positive results we could have hoped for either. We're still trying to find that league victory which has been close since the opening game of the season at home to Porthcawl. With an average age on a Saturday of 22/23 the squad is young, hardworking, competitive and hungry to improve. The effort from the whole senior section is making sure the club is moving in the right direction, with Dave Howells and now James Jenkins supporting the development XV have a separate identity to the first XV but with numerous players moving back and forth between both squads we're very much 'One team'.
Unfortunately the stark reality of a league table does not lie though and the message this week in training to the boys was quite clear. There is only one way to get out of a hole and that's by working hard.
FT: Bryncethin RFC 40-23 Mumbles RFC
A young Mumbles side travelled to Bryncethin on Saturday afternoon in search of their first win of their Division 2 West Central. With an average age of under 22 years old, the visiting side knew they were going to have their work cut out for them against a Bryncethin side who have won back-to-back promotions, rising from Division 4 in just 2 seasons. Mumbles looked to settle in to the game early and won a penalty in the opposition 22 in the opening exchanges. Centre Josh Jones called on the tee and opened the scoring for the afternoon with a well taken penalty.
After holding off the early Mumbles pressure, Bryncethin found themselves with possession in midfield and soon broke after a pick and go from a forward around the ruck. A smart offload to the supporting winger followed and gave Bryncethin their first try of the afternoon. The hosts had clearly found their feet and a deft kick into a gap behind the Mumbles backline from the Bryncethin outside half was smartly collected by his inside centre. The centre returned the ball to his outside half for him to cross under the posts, leaving a simple conversion to make it Bryncethin 14-3 Mumbles. Mumbles were keen to get themselves back in to the game following the two quick tries and did so once again through the boot of Josh Jones following a Bryncethin infringement in their own 22 - Bryncethin 14-6 Mumbles.
The travelling side continued to apply pressure and were rewarded with their first try of the afternoon when lightning quick winger Owain Clarke was the benefactor of a fortunate bounce that beat his opposite number, allowing him to collect and dot down under the posts. Josh Jones duly added the extras and Mumbles had now reduced the deficit to just one point. Another Mumbles penalty in the Bryncethin 22 saw the tee brought on once again, with Josh Jones regaining the Mumbles lead for the first time since the opening exchange. The lead didn’t last for long, however, as Bryncethin soon scored their 3rd try of the afternoon just before the half way stage. A scrum in the Mumbles 22 gave the home side a good platform to get the ball into the hands of their backs. Some slick handling created depth for the Bryncethin winger to gather pace before just about collecting the pass from inside and cross in the corner.
HT: Bryncethin 19-16 Mumbles
Still well in the game at half time, Mumbles started the second half strongly and were surely thinking that their first win of the season could be afoot. Some sustained pressure in the home 22 saw Mumbles go wide but a grubber from second row and vice-captain Ethan Morgan had seemingly squandered possession. The dismayed comment of “why is a second row kicking?” from an unnamed English supporter quickly proved to be a classic case of commentator’s curse when Morgan charged down the clearing kick of the Bryncethin full back. The second row calmly collected and dived over the line to give Mumbles their second try of the afternoon. Another Josh Jones conversion saw Mumbles find themselves 4 points to the good.
With a vociferous home support behind them and an experienced side, Bryncethin were not going to go down without a fight. However it was not their hard work or determination that helped them to regain the lead, but Mumbles centre Matthew Hughes who gifted Bryncethin a try with an interception - Bryncethin 26-23 Mumbles. This seemed to take the wind out of the sails of the young Mumbles side who had been well in the game all afternoon and were unlucky not to come away from Bryncethin with more than they did. Two late tries from the home side took the scoreboard to read Bryncethin 40-23 at the final whistle. A flattering score line for the home side given the balance of play throughout.
Despite the defeat, a lot of positives to take from the afternoon with Matt Boskey and Rhod Taylor dominating the back row and Josh Jones with a perfect record off the tee.
The Month of November brings games against Bryncethin (A), Resolven (A), Maesteg Celtic (H) and Aberavon Quins (A). All your support will be hugely appreciated!
Mumbles youth
Mumbles Youth are looking for players of all abilities to join. Whether you’ve never played before, haven’t played in a while, or just simply looking for a change please get in touch!
Youth match report
FT: Pyle Youth 38-17 Mumbles Youth
A threadbare Mumbles Youth side travelled to Pyle in the search for their first win of the season. The spirit and determination of the boys kept the Pyle attack at bay for most of the opening quarter, however the home side found their feet quickly after. Three tries in quick succession saw Mumbles go 17-0 behind with a little less than 30 minutes on the clock.
Despite the score, the travelling team did not let their heads drop and were rewarded with a try of their own when Theo Oshisanya crossed the whitewash. Ellis Morgan added the extras and the deficit was reduced to just 10 points. The reprieve did not last long with Pyle securing their bonus point before half time through a converted try of their own - 24-7.
Mumbles had the final say of the first half when Matt Bishop crossed for his first try of the season to reduce the deficit once more.
HT: Pyle 24-12 Mumbles
With just a dozen points between the two sides, Mumbles would’ve felt an air of confidence going into the second half after a resolute first half effort. However the tale was much the same with Pyle proving to be just a little too strong for the makeshift Mumbles side. Two converted tries saw their lead stretched to 26 points and the game out of sight for Mumbles. Determined to have the final say, Mumbles did get themselves a third try of the afternoon courtesy of Tyler - borrowed from Pyle for the afternoon.
Another valiant effort from the boys who keep plying away each week despite their results. A big thanks to Pyle for lending players to ensure the game went ahead.
Mumbles girls fixture
On a mild October Wednesday evening 15 strong independent Mumbles Rfc girls players turned up to take on a well followed Fall Bay RFC mixed junior team. Fall Bay Rfc and their supporters were hyped up but they didn't know what to expect from these strong girls.
Mumbles with home advantage took to the centre of the field and during the first half utilised the width and space of the field evaded touches like their lives depending on it, with some slick passing scoring 5 tries with no reply from Fall Bay.
The second half was a ropey start with fall bay coming back and scoring 2 tries utilising their support from the try line. But Mumbles using their lighting speed and superb defence managed to respond and resulting in a 12-4 victory for their first home game.
Massive congratulations to Mumbles RFC girls and shows how well their hard work has paid off growing from 5-7 girls per week to having 15 turn up during half term to show a mixed team how well they can play. Hopefully this is the first of many well drilled girls turning up and doing the blue jersey and the supporters proud.
Mumbles Lottery
If you wish to make your payment digitally, please see link below.
Thanks for your continued support.
Mini and Junior section
It’s been a busy start to the season for the minis and juniors from our U5's to youth team. One of the main positives is that we now have a competitive side in every single age group within the club whilst also boasting an ever growing ladies and girls section. The junior section are now announcing short match reports and are collated by Jamie Kirkhouse. The reports can be found on the below link. Many thanks Jamie for collating.