Thursday 23 May 2013

‘BETWEEN THE POSTS’ MAY 2013

Welcome to Mumbles Rugby Club monthly newsletter ‘Between the Posts’.

There is news of what is going on in and around the club and of course I would welcome any contributions from you, the members and supporters of the club!
 
Martin Rodwell                                             e.mail: martinrodwell123@btinternet.com

ON THE PITCH
We did it! Where else could I start but with the news that the 1st XV have been crowned Champions of SWALEC Div 3 South West after a quite amazing run of matches! If I take you back to the middle of April when it transpired that Mumbles needed to win their 6 remaining matches + scoring at least 4 tries in each of those 6 matches to pip Trebanos for the title. It was one match at a time but it meant playing Saturday, Wednesday, Saturday, and Wednesday for a few weeks to get the games played by the middle of May. We had to play Pencoed who were third, both home and away and our final game was away to Ystalyfera, who were also going for promotion! Mission impossible was how our task was described by many but as each victory was claimed the tension became apparent! So two busses and a stream of cars made their way up the Swansea Valley to Ystalyfera seeking a seventh consecutive bonus point win to secure the title. Two tries up at the break gave us a chance. A third try was claimed but suddenly the tension set in as the boys realised they were almost there. With minutes to go try number 4 was scored the title belonged to Mumbles. Just to make sure a 5th try was scored and the celebrations could begin. Coaches Simon Evans and Keith Colclough were interviewed on Scrum V as were club captain Paul Gooding and captain on the day Andrew Littlehales. A quick pint and it was back to the Mumbles Clubhouse for a night of well-deserved celebrations! I understand that went on until 1.30 a.m. and some are still there!
The good news doesn’t stop there, the Youth have secured second place in their division, which is a tremendous performance. At this point I must also mention the Development XV who have also had a tremendous season in the Swansea & District League.
The success keeps coming with two of our highly promising Junior Teams U11’s and U12’s both winning the Plate Competition in the Lucton Junior Rugby Tournament.
So a hugely successful season for all sections of the club! An interesting comment was said to me by an official of Ystalyfera. He had told his players’ Mumbles are what we should aspire to, a well run club who play a brand of rugby that is the envy of many, many teams’ Kind words indeed but very true words and something to live up to and take on again next season.
SOCIAL EVENTS
I mentioned last month that Chris Founds from the Junior Section had organised a special dinner to support the LATCH charity, who in turn are supporting Dylan Gunner who plays for Mumbles U14’s and has been diagnosed with cancer. I’m delighted to report the evening was a huge success and raised almost £4,000 for a very worthy cause. Congratulations Chris on a superbly organised evening.
PRESENTATION EVENING
We are holding the Presentation Evening on Friday 24th May in the clubhouse starting 7.30 p.m.ish but the bar will be open from 6.00 p.m.! After the dramatic events described above this is sure to be a great evening so I do hope you will be able to attend and join in the celebrations. Everyone is welcome including wives, girlfriends and all supporters! There will be a buffet and entry is free
125 YEAR ANNIVERSARY
A reminder we are celebrating our 125th Year Anniversary this year and events have been organised to recognise and celebrate this great achievement.
We held a very successful 125 Year Anniversary Golf Day at Langland Bay Golf Club last Friday. Our resident cycling Linesman Paul Hill and his team won the main prize, a trophy and a new Golf Bag each! Runners Up were the Dawson Team and 3rd were the Alan Sutherland Team. As always, an excellent meal and some good banter in the evening, you could tell Doug Baker was in with record red wine sales! 
The next event is the Grand Dinner Dance on Saturday 1st June, with Phil Steel of Scrum V fame the guest speaker. I’m delighted to say this event has sold out (320) and with the success of the teams to celebrate I have a feeling we are in for a good night!

UNDERHILL PROJECT
Further meetings have been held with Swansea City Council and Mumbles Community Council have received a final report on the work required to be done to try and halt the problems of the pitch flooding which we have incurred all too often this season. I believe we are really making progress with this project, a formal bid for Lottery funding has been submitted and I am hopeful both the pitch area and the proposed new building will soon become a real possibility not just a dream!.


PLEA FOR HELP
As you probably know Kate Hopkins runs the club website which I’m pleased to say gets many hits (I think that is the jargon) Now Kate is due to get married later this year and reluctantly will have to give up the post of Web – Master (more jargon). So are there any computer loving folk out there who could take on the task of managing the club website? Please contact me if you think you can help 01792 360080. 

100 CLUB
We had a great response to the new revamped scheme and held the first draw at the management meeting on 13th May. The winner of the £50 monthly prize was Chris Thomas. Many congratulations to Chris £50 richer for just a £5 monthly stake and of course a chance to win next month or the £500 prize in the August draw! It’s not too late to join the scheme; there will be a monthly cash prize of £50 and then every quarter there will be a super prize of £500!  Subscription is just £5 per month and payment is by direct debit so there is no need to worry about remembering to pay every month and of course you will be automatically entered in the monthly draw. The monthly draw will be made on the first Monday of each month under the scrutiny of the management committee. Results will be e.mailed and posted on the noticeboard each month. Those of you already in the scheme have been allocated two shares in this revised format.  Just to confirm Justin Price will be managing the ‘100 Club’ to ensure the funds generated will be put to good causes  and 100% ploughed back into the club. Identifying the need for new equipment and new kit required by any of the teams are some examples of how Justin will manage the funds. So don’t delay complete the membership form attached or send a cheque for £60 to Gareth Bennett, c/o the clubhouse, if you are not in it, you can’t win it!  
LIONS 2013
As you are aware the British & Irish Lions are in Australia this year playing 3 tests on consecutive Saturdays starting on 22nd June Brisbane, then 29th June Melbourne and finishing on 6th July in Sydney. We are planning to have a Lions Breakfast Club in the clubhouse on each of these Saturdays. What could be better than a Bacon Roll and a Pint watching the Lions .v. the Aussies. Check the noticeboard for timings but I think coverage will probably start about 10.30 a.m. There are of course other games as the Tour starts on Saturday June 1st and we will be showing all the games Live in the club. Again check the posters displayed in the club for details.

Well that’s about it for this month. As I said earlier it has been a fantastic season both on and off the pitch and how fitting the success is in our 125th Year. I hope to see you at the events that are coming up it would be great to see you and I know the players will appreciate your continued support. Of course feel free to pop in for a pint or two in the clubhouse, you will be most welcome. It would be great to hear from you on any matter, good or bad; my e.mail address is indicated below.

Martin Rodwell                                             e.mail: martinrodwell123@btinternet.com

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