This was hardly a scoreline to reflect the competitive nature of a surprisingly flowing game given the blustery conditions. It was unfair as much as it was deceiving.
Given little touchline intervention, intentionally, the boys stepped up to the challenge of managing their own game with confidence and no little maturity. It could be a key moment in the season and somehow didn't feel like a defeat. On the contrary.
Let's get the score out of the way. 36-5. Mumbles were, to be fair, more precise with their passing, moved quickly with ball in hand and just as competitive in defending as Gowerton were. But they were matched for large parts of the game by a Gowerton team that, quite literally, led from the front.
Ethan H had his usual rumble in the jungle, Rhys J found some form at last to have a sparkling game in the heavy traffic of the front row and Owen H had by far his best game of the season to make some hard and quite spectacular yards. Josh P and Elliot H provided great support from the second row, Joe D unlucky to come off with a hip injury, carrying where they could but also contributing to some positive rucking (at last) and tackling in defence. With Ieuan E and James R providing power from the back of the scrum, the forwards went well. Feisty.
Charlie W was marshalling the backs well before going off injured, but not before he had both created and secured the boys lone score with a blocked kick and touchdown. Jac S had another solid game, making good use of the regular supply of ball and working hard during some difficult scrums to retain possession. With Josh B and Josh K offering width and pace when they saw the ball, the backs were a constant threat, particularly in ;arge parts of the second half. Luc J was seeing lots of the ball and was regularly making progress down the right wing, Kobe B equally as busy on the opposite side. Alex J was kept busy with the Mumbles astute kicking game, but contributed well with some lovely runs in tight spaces.
Much of the good work came in the second half, Rhys D and Jack G offering a powerful running game, but they just couldn't finish off some of the moves. A great effort.
With Swansea Uplands and Morriston to come, this was a timely return to form. A performance to be welcomed, a confidence boost for the boys and a glimpse at what they can achieve with some commitment and focus.
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