03/05/2026
🔵 Match Report 🔵
Birchgrove 12 Mumbles RFC 34
And so it all came down to this. A late spring play off against the Robins on a summer baked surface in Birchgrove. Unified, the club came together. Messages of support from the junior sections on tour and a throng of Mexican travellers, a full bus and much more; hope and determination.
Travelling east, Mumbles have waited an age for this season defining game. Major positives in the form of cleared injuries, rested bodies ready to perform, and a fresh focus from the coaches; Head coach Dicky T roused his players one last time and everything about the day felt unforgiving, the boys delivered.
Pre-game focus turned to intensity form the first whistle. Immediately putting Birchgrove under pressure from the kick-off, captain Ethan soared high, the boys threw a jimmy and found the left edge with full back and kicker Fraser, excellent throughout, setting the tone. 40m up field Clarkey took care of the wide ruck and quick recycling combined with sharp handling seeing Wedlake and James Boskey punch early carries for territory.
The opening exchanges were played at a frantic pace. Fraser looked dangerous on the kick return, while young tight head Chef’s break threatened to expose the defence. Birchgrove weren’t going to lie down though. Competitive at the breakdown, a series of isolated turnovers briefly relieved Birchgrove, who attempted to play off all possession, only to be calmly stewarded to the touchline by the excellent Mumbles’ defensive line. A sign of things to come, patterns formed and repeated throughout.
Mumbles’ lineout functioned well, with Benny finding Bucks or Ethan at the back, a constant launch pad for attacks. After a period of sustained attack, the highlight of which was Benny chasing and collecting the bouncing ball to the roar of the away supporters, the initial breakthrough came. From a ruck to the left, Luke Morgan, a standout performer throughout, ran a late line out the back, finding a hole to step and expose the full back, leaving him a rooted spectator as he touched down under the sticks for the games opening try, converted for 0 -7.
Birchgrove responded quickly. After a kick out on the full gifted them field position, they built pressure from a central scrum and capitalised on the penalty with a well-executed move out wide, levelling the score at 7–7. The game remained intense and physical, with penalties mounting on both sides.
Mumbles regained control through strong carries and quick thinking. Ethan’s off-the-top ball allowed the excellent James Boskey to break the line and score under the posts, restoring the lead. Soon after, a powerful forward effort saw second row Wedlake, running a line for the ages, crash through multiple defenders to extend the advantage, making it 19–7. Despite Mumbles’ control, Birchgrove continued to threaten, earning field position and testing the defence with numbers in midfield.
A yellow card for Ethan added pressure, but a huge collective defensive effort, with highlight reels from Jack Smith at 10 and Will Howells, on his shoulder throughout, keeping the line intact. In truth no tackle or jackal was missed, and the attacking ambition was constant. Luke finding the ball, drawing defenders and Chef, Wormy and Benny resembling a second backrow around the field – the supporters growing eager with the boys a step ahead throughout the game.
The second half began with both sides playing expansively, though errors crept in. Mumbles gradually asserted dominance through disciplined defence and strong carrying from both Boskey brothers, Buckley, Wormy, again, and Jack Smith finding the half gaps or using his centres to great effect. A key moment came when sharp interplay between Jac Cross, Boskey, Benny, and Luke Morgan created space for Jack Smith to offload, allowing young Boskey to score on debut. A lovely moment for the local brothers, capping a family affair with parents running out of camera film on the side.
From there, Mumbles began to pull away. A well-structured attack from scrum play saw Luke Morgan break before slick offloading put Matt Boskey over for his second try. Fraser converted to stretch the lead to 31–7.
The remainder of the match saw Mumbles in control. Defensive organisation was outstanding, with Will Howells, Kirky, and JCW, miraculously returning despite serious injury against Morriston last time out, leading the line, while turnovers from Bucks, Ethan and more created further attacking opportunities. Although a few chances went unfinished due to handling errors, the attacking intent remained clear. The bench emptied and youth added value with Ellis’ work rate complemented perfectly by Will Evs and Andy Millard, strumming the attacking guitar - blending the attacking balance to stress the Robins across the pitch. Scrum half Jac Cross putting boot to ball, settling the games frantic nature, whenever needed.
In the closing stages, Mumbles maintained their intensity, managing the game effectively. Will Evans slotted a 3-point penalty and despite a late consolation from Birchgrove, the Mariachi band of brothers celebrated at the full-time whistle. With a tear in his eye Dicky T signed off and celebrated a club poised to grow, the nearly 50 players from youth and senior section, huddled in celebration on the pitch a testament to everyone’s hard work, despite a difficult season. Onwards and upwards.
