Tag Archives: rugby

Dawsons sponsor the MUMBLES RFC Crackers Sevens

Dawsons Property at The Cracker’s 7’s

Dawsons at the 2019 cracker 7's

Dawsons Property continued their longstanding sponsorship of the ever-popular Cracker Sevens at Mumbles RFC this year.

As always, the 3-day festival of rugby took place over the Bank Holiday weekend, August 24-26, in Underhill Park, Mumbles.

The Dawsons loyal sponsorship spans more than two decades and partner James Dawson has been associated with the tournament for many years, having played in the event in his youth and continuing as a sponsor.

“Being a player in the Cracker Sevens and to then go on to sponsor the event year on year is a privilege,” said James. “The event is an annual must for the Dawsons partners, their families, our employees and our business associates.  It really is a thoroughly enjoyable event come rain or shine…  but we were extremely lucky this year to have a scorcher!”

Dawsons at the 2019 cracker 7's

CRACKER 7’s 2019 Matches

Friday 23rd August – 1st XV .v. Swansea Uplands.

Saturday 24th August – U16’s .v. Swansea Uplands

Youth-friendly .v. Swansea Uplands

Charity game organised by Huw Evans and Stephen Hughes.

The Sweet William Invitation XV managed by Wales International Paul Moriarty vs. Rockefeller Rugby XV managed by former Wales Head Coach Mike Ruddock.  Many former players on the pitch!

Sunday 25th August – The 31st Jimmy Cracker 7’s!

Dawsons at the 2019 cracker 7's

Dawsons at the 2019 cracker 7's

Pughy 9s Rugby sponsored by Dawsons

What is The Pughy 9s?

The Pughy 9s started Bank Holiday Weekend 2017 after the untimely death of the popular young player, Tom Pugh. Now in its 3rd year, this touch rugby tournament has continued to grow in popularity, attracting some 20 teams to take part! 

Pughy 9s Rugby sponsored by DawsonsRaising money for charities in Tom’s memory the tournament is well supported by Swansea Uplands RFC (who organise and run it), local people and businesses alike. Dawsons have sponsored a pitch for all 3 years, as well as Killay Office sponsoring a ball at this year’s tournament. 

Killay Branch Manager (and all-around living legend) David ‘Dai’ Parton, who represented the club and played with Tom, has played as part of the “Vets” team for all 3 tournaments. Each year they have managed to progress to the Quarter Finals of the Cup. It was the same again this year at which stage they were knocked out 3-1 against a strong Gower Rangers Team. 

Pughy 9s Rugby sponsored by Dawsons
Our very own Dai Parton’s WINNING try in the pool matches

A Cup and Shield competition are run after the first rounds of Pool matches. This year Penclawdd came out on top of the Shield and Uplands Youth won the Cup.

Pughy 9s Rugby sponsored by DawsonsAfter the rugby comes to an end, the clubhouse is packed with all players and supporters. Some tales of the day at the fore amongst the Vets, that’s for sure and as the evening wears on teammates, friends and family let off balloons in Toms memory. Always a poignant moment and a chance to reflect and think about a top man!

#P9 #greenmachine #teamofbobbypughs

Dawsons Rugby Update Blog

Our Dawsons Welsh Update of the Rugby Six Nations Championship

Thank you to David Parton, the manager of our Killay office, for keeping us entertained throughout the 2019 Six Nations Championship.

WE WON.  YAY!

Match Update Wales v Ireland Sat 16th March:

Good Morning,

The Hangover is still heavy after we won THE GRAND SLAM 2019!!! I’m sure all of Wales feels the same!?!

An awesome performance to finish an entertaining tournament!

Wales scored just after a minute through a lovely chip from ‘Man of the Match’ Gareth Anscombe for the impressive Hadleigh Parkes to catch and touch down! 7-0 just after 2 minutes of play and that seemed to set the tone!! We lost George North within the first 10 minutes, which meant juggling the line up with Dan Bigger coming on and Anscombe going to full back and Liam Williams shifting to the wing. 

Fast forward to 77 minutes and Wales are 25-0 up!!! Wales kept with Anscombe kicking the goals and were rewarded with him landing all 20 points other than the try scored! Ireland battered at the Welsh defence and it wasn’t until the 80th minute they broke it down to make the final score 25-7. Wow!!! Dream Land! 

Captain Marvel, Alun Wyn Jones
Photo courtesy of The Daily Mail

Images of all the team will live long in the memory but for me the sight of Captain Marvel, Alun Wyn Jones, giving his jacket to the 7 year old (shivering) Mascot during the National Anthems and then lifting the cup knowing he has now won 3 Grand Slams are up there with some of my favourite memories of watching rugby.  Awesome!

A very proud Welshman and rugby fan is very happy this Monday morning!

Cymru am Byth!!

Match Update Scotland v Wales Sat 9th March:

Here are this Welsh rugby fan’s thoughts from Saturday:

The old cliche of “game of two halves” has been bandied around quite a bit from my friends since Saturday!

Wales looked every bit the part as they picked Scotland apart during the first half of the game Saturday. Clinical and ruthless in attack. Almost bullying in the collisions. As a Welsh fan a joy to watch! Two tries from the impressive Josh Adams and the ever dependable Jonathan Davies resulted in us going in half time up 15-6.

Excellent. In the bag. Same again second half please boys!! 

The Scots had other ideas and came out a different animal! Playing heads up rugby and taking the game to the Welsh. A frantic pace and open style which Wales had to battle hard to keep up with. The Blues kept the ball and battered against what is arguably the best defensive team in the world. Which, in my very humble opinion, were outstanding to a man during the second 40 minutes! At one stage we drove the Scots back 20 yards with aggressive defence. 

Scotland did manage to break through once and scored a well-worked try from an inside (forward!) pass. 

It made for tense watching and Wales could have lost – but – this is what fills me with hope, we didn’t lose. Wales fronted up and won the match 18-11. As coach Gatland said we have the winning bug! We are used to winning. 1 more next week and the party REALLY starts!!

Ireland beat an average French side comfortably but I don’t think showing anything that Wales need fear. England looked very strong against the Italians and are still very much in the hunt for the Championship.

I for one cannot wait to watch 3 matches next Saturday – if I remember the last game depends very much on the Welsh result!!

Cymru Am Byth!!

Match Update Wales v England Sat 23rd February:

Happiness in Hamburg!!

When you’re asked to go on one of your best mates Stag Dos the weekend of Wales v England you assume it will be in Cardiff … or local … or at least somewhere in England? So when I was asked for the cash to book our transport and hotel in Hamburg by the Best Man, it was a bit of a worry??? Germany is not known for being huge rugby fans!?! 

This added to the concern of England looking like world beaters during the first two rounds of the tournament! Wales having underperformed, yet still ground out 2 wins, didn’t fill me with confidence, yet I didn’t lose my hope that we could do it against the Old Enemy!

Anyway, we arrived in Hamburg on Thursday and got the lay of the land, found a little Irish Bar who agreed to show us the game on Saturday. YES!! Phew!!! Sorted.

Game Day and the nerves were there, although a little under control from the (medicinal) alcohol consumed!   Kick off and both teams looked strong. Wales had clearly stepped up a level but England still took an early lead and went in ahead at half time after a soft try given away by a lapse in concentration by the Welsh pack at a ruck in their own 22.

The second half kicked off and Wales looked stronger from the off and inched ahead. Some tactical substitutions were made and these were the telling factor! Dan Bigger kicking his goals and then a great cross field kick for Josh Adams to collect wonderfully and touch down in the right corner. The conversion attempt missed but Wales were now in a commanding position with only minutes left to play.

Wales held on and WON 21-13. Local ex-Waunarlwydd player Liam Williams secured Man of the Match but for this rugby fan, the stand out player was Mumbles man Alun Wyn Jones – what a player!!!

Next up is Scotland away in 2 weekends time and then Ireland home on the 16th. Two very tough fixtures to finish off but I still believe! The Grand Slam dream continues this World Cup Year!! 

Cymru am Byth!!!

Match Update Italy v Wales Sat 9th February:

A wins a win! I think that’s the best we can say after that performance!? 

Two wins away from home to start the Six Nations Championship against France and Italy which takes us up to a record 11 wins in a row! 

This now sets up a mouthwatering encounter with a very strong looking English team at Home in a fortnights time! England thumped France this week in Twickenham! Wales will need to improve to be in with a chance of competing with them! 

It will be a top of the table clash, with England being just ahead of Wales on Points. Both teams will be determined to win to continue their unbeaten run in the competition and keep the Grand Slam dream alive!

I’m not worried! You’re worried! Shut up!! 

Cymru am Byth!!!”

David is the manager of the Dawsons Killay office

David Parton, Branch Manager Killay Office

 

A bit of History:

The Six Nations is a historic tournament dating back to 1883 when Wales, England, Scotland and Ireland hosted their own ‘Home Nations Championship’. The format we know today was formed in 2000 with the addition of Italy (with France being part of proceedings since 1910).

This year’s tournament is the 19th edition of the modern format and after the 1st round of matches, the favourites and holders (Ireland) are no longer in contention for the Grand Slam. In recent years the title has been won by either Ireland or England however Wales are now in contention with an impressive 24-19 victory away to France in the opening round. This year’s tournament is particularly important as the Rugby Union World Cup takes place at the back end of the year.

Match Schedule February / March 2019:

  • Fri 1st: France v Wales 8.00pm
  • Sat 2nd: Scotland v Italy 2.15pm
  • Sat 2nd: Ireland v England 4.45pm
  • Sat 9th: Scotland v Ireland 2.15pm
  • Sat 9th: Italy v Wales 4.45pm
  • Sun 10th: England v France 3.00pm
  • Sat 23rd: France v Scotland 2.15pm
  • Sat 23rd: Wales v England 4.45pm
  • Sun 24th: Italy v Ireland, 3.00pm March
  • Sat 9th: Scotland v Wales 2.15pm
  • Sat 9th: England v Italy 4.45pm
  • Sun 10th: Ireland v France, 3.00pm
  • Sat 16th: Italy v France 12.30pm
  • Sat 16th: Wales v Ireland 2.45pm
  • Sat 16th: England v Scotland, 5.00pm
proud sponsors

THE MUMBLES RUGBY CLUB CRACKERS’ 7’S WEEKEND

Friday 24th August 2018 to Sunday 26th August

Preparations are in full swing for the 30th annual legendary rugby festival The Crackers’ 7’s over the August Bank Holiday in Underhill Park, Mumbles.  The schedule is as follows:

Friday 24th August from 6pm

  • Mumbles Youth .v. Swansea Uplands Youth
  • Tom Pugh Memorial Game – Mumbles XV .v. Swansea Uplands XV

In memory of Swansea Uplands player Tom Pugh who tragically passed away at such a young age. Proceeds of Programme sales on the night will go to the chosen charity of Tom’s family

Saturday 25th August from 9.30am

  • Mumbles RFC Junior Section morning of rugby fun & games
  • Mumbles RFC Youth hosting a 7’s Tournament k.o. 12.00 Noon

Sunday 26th August from 11am

  • Crackers’ 7’s with the Men’s and Women’s tournaments running in parallel during the day.
  • Live entertainment from 7pm from local band ‘The Contenders’  in the Premier Marquee

There will be a beer tent and BBQ on all 3 Days plus loads of family entertainment including a bouncy castle, giant children’s slide and (wait for it….) zumba classes with Sion throughout the day

 

We at Dawsons are, again, so proud to be headline sponsors of this event and our director James Dawson explains why

Having sponsored this event for many years as a company, and I myself playing in the tournament many times over the years, never successfully I might add, we understand the importance of the annual event to those living locally and those who travel from further afield to take part. The Crackers’ 7’s is a firm date in our calendar, for which we are proud to be the principal sponsor.  The work that the rugby club do for the local community and for various charities is second to none and that is why we look forward to supporting MIND, this year’s chosen charity, to raise both awareness and much-needed funds for the work they do.’

Screen Shot 2018-08-16 at 19.10.59

 

 

 

Please try to come along if you are local, and share this with your friends as you wouldn’t want to miss such a great event!

 

proud sponsors

Schools out for Summer – Week 4

We hope that you are having an amazing Summer and that the slight drop in temperature this week has not affected your plans!  As you know, we had the Raft Race in Burry Port last weekend, and it was postponed from Saturday to Sunday, which caused us some last minute panic, but all turned out perfect in the end.

We had so many people say what a fabulous time they had and our team of ‘Paradise Bananas’ stayed afloat and managed a very respectable 6th place.  We were raising funds for the Burry Port RNLI and Afia Children’s Football Academy Foundation, so we are waiting on the final tally, but from the turn-out, we hope they have done well.  It is always amazing when staff happily turn up and volunteer for out of business activities in the name of community spirit, so huge thanks to our Dawsons team:  Callum Joe, Matthew, Ian, Kim & Aimee in the raft and Naomi for all the organisation  – Top Bananas indeed!

You can see the Burry Port Raft Race gallery of pics at the bottom of the page.  Hope they make you smile as much as they did us!

So what is coming up next weekend for your entertainment…?

THE MUMBLES RUGBY CLUB CRACKERS’ 7’S WEEKEND

Preparations are in full swing for the 30th annual legendary rugby festival The Crackers’ 7’s over the August Bank Holiday in Underhill Park, Mumbles.  The schedule is as follows:

Friday 24th August from 6pm

  • Mumbles Youth .v. Swansea Uplands Youth
  • Tom Pugh Memorial Game – Mumbles XV .v. Swansea Uplands XV

In memory of Swansea Uplands player Tom Pugh who tragically passed away at such a young age. Proceeds of Programme sales on the night will go to the chosen charity of Tom’s family

Saturday 25th August from 9.30am

  • Mumbles RFC Junior Section morning of rugby fun & games
  • Mumbles RFC Youth hosting a 7’s Tournament k.o. 12.00 Noon

Sunday 26th August from 11am

  • Crackers’ 7’s with the Men’s and Women’s tournaments running in parallel during the day.
  • Live entertainment from 7pm from local band ‘The Contenders’  in the Premier Marquee

There will be a beer tent and BBQ on all 3 Days plus loads of family entertainment including a bouncy castle, giant children’s slide and (wait for it….) zumba classes with Sion throughout the day

 

We at Dawsons are, again, so proud to be headline sponsors of this event and our director James Dawson explains why

Having sponsored this event for many years as a company, and I myself playing in the tournament many times over the years, never successfully I might add, we understand the importance of the annual event to those living locally and those who travel from further afield to take part. The Crackers’ 7’s is a firm date in our calendar, for which we are proud to be the principal sponsor.  The work that the rugby club do for the local community and for various charities is second to none and that is why we look forward to supporting MIND, this year’s chosen charity, to raise both awareness and much-needed funds for the work they do.’

Screen Shot 2018-08-16 at 19.10.59

 

 

 

Please try to come along if you are local, and share this with your friends as you wouldn’t want to miss such a great event!

FINALLY

In our usual fashion, we like to give you something to keep the children amused over the coming week, and this colouring pic is for the toddlers, or those who may have over-indulged in the Crackers’ 7s beer tent!  Happy colouring

Dawsons colouring pic

NOW please do not forget to show us your efforts!

See you next week,

JANE SIG2

 

 

 

 

 

BURRY PORT RAFT RACE 2018 GALLERY PICS

IMG_20180812_1919325_rewind WhatsApp Image 2018-08-12 at 20.30.55 WhatsApp Image 2018-08-12 at 20.30.42 IMG_20180812_191543 IMG_20180812_1800479_rewind IMG_20180812_1802358_rewind BURRY PORT RAFT RACE 2018 IMG_20180812_1856001_rewind IMG_20180812_1855302_rewind IMG_20180812_1833163_rewind IMG_20180812_1804003_rewind