Report and Photos: Moseley v Scottish - 30/3

[Communications Team]

MOSELEY RUGBY CLUB
*****PRESS RELEASE******
27-Mar-2013

RFU Championship: Moseley v London Scottish, Saturday 30th March
Kick off 3:00pm at Billesley Common Birmingham B13 0PT

Moseley is optimistic that they can beat the weather and stage the crucial RFU Championship fixture against London Scottish at Billesley Common this Saturday (Sat 30th March 3:00pm kick off).

A section of the pitch was cleared of thick snow yesterday (Tuesday) and the ground beneath was not as wet (or a frozen) as feared. The remainder of the pitch will be cleared today (Wednesday) and tomorrow and with day time temperatures above freezing the ground staff believe there is a good chance the game will be on.

Sub zero night time temperatures are forecast for the rest of the week but updates will be provided at www.moseleyrugby.co.uk should these overnight conditions put the match in jeopardy.

The match against London Scottish will be the third meeting between the two clubs this season with honours currently even and the home side will be seeking to extend a run of form that may even guarantee them survival this weekend if matches elsewhere go according to form.

The South Birmingham club are 11 points clear of the relegation spot with 4 games remaining and a home win coupled with 2nd place Nottingham prevailing over bottom club Doncaster would see Moseley all but mathematically safe with 3 games remaining.

Moseley have hit a 100% home success rate since the turn of the year, including a B&I Cup win over Scottish 13 – 12 in January. This result was significant for Moseley as it represented part of the turning point in the team’s fortunes, as they started to be able to select from a full squad again. In this game Moseley found confidence in their abilities and outplayed a strong Scottish team which included three ex-Moseley men.

Recent weeks have seen mixed fortunes for Scottish. Impressive wins, home against Nottingham and away at Cornish Pirates, have been tempered with a heavy loss at Leeds and a 9 – 16 defeat to Plymouth last week. The home defeat to Plymouth was a rare blip in form which has seen Scottish win seven out of their ten home games this season.

Unfortunately for them they have not been able to replicate this on the road having won only two out of nine encounters - to bottom placed Doncaster and the aforementioned Pirates.
This weekend Moseley will be looking to replicate the drive and hard work they exhibited in their last game when they defeated Bristol 23-14 in South Birmingham.


****ENDS****

[Communications Team]

Match Preview now available on the club website

Click here to access
www.moseleyrugby.co.uk/report_display12.php?repfixid=1464

[Phil]

Hi Comms team, how is the pitch looking for Saturday?

[Communications Team]

Update due soon.......we'll keep you informed!

[Communications Team]

Prospects for game look good but we still need to shift some snow off the pitch.

If anyone has some time free tomorrow at 10.00am can they please come down to the club with shovels, wheelbarrows etc and help?

[Gerald the Fish]

I'll be there no worries. I'm dying to see a bit of Rugby and especially to see Mose stuff London Scottish.

[Gerald the Fish]

I can't believe no one else has responded. Come on Moseley I can't clear the snow on my own. Come on down and make sure we stuff London Scottish by getting our pitch ready for the guys. We need to strike while our iron is hot and believe me we are hot. Let's be part of that and make it happen. I'm sure any help will be welcome, whatever you can do will make a difference. Hopefully, if you can make it, I'll see you there. OOhhhh and by the way, There's nowt on the tele. You know it makes sense to get down to Moseley.

[Phil]

Fully intended to be there but an ill daughter has proved otherwise

From what I've heard this morning the pitch isn't looking too good

[notanotherjohn]

Just got back, soggy but consensus seems to be should be OK if the breeze keeps up. But I think both teams will be playing in brown after the first 5 mins.

[Communications Team]

Game on: Moseley v London Scottish - Easter Saturday
For immediate release Friday 29th March 2013
Issued on behalf of Moseley Rugby

RFU Championship: Moseley v London Scottish, Saturday 30th March
Kick off 3:00pm at Billesley Common Birmingham B13 0PT

After a fantastic response from supporters to clear the final remnants of the snow on Friday morning, Moseley is expecting there to be no problems with the pitch for the crucial RFU Championship fixture against London Scottish at Billesley Common tomorrow (Sat 30th March 3:00pm kick off).

Whilst a low of minus 2 is forecast for tonight (Friday) the pitch looks to be in relatively good condition. Above freezing day time temperatures today (Friday) and Saturday should ensure the game goes ahead. A pitch inspection will be carried out at 10.00 tomorrow morning. If there are any changes updates will be provided at www.moseleyrugby.co.uk

Re-arranged match v Leeds – now Fri 5th April

The Moseley v Leeds Carnegie fixture originally scheduled for Saturday 23rd March and postponed due to a frozen pitch has now been confirmed for FRIDAY 5th APRIL – 7:45pm kick off.

All tickets sold for the original date are valid and special offers for advance ticket purchases (up to 30% off the gate price) are extended to cover the re-arranged date. See www.moseleyrugby.co.uk/report_display12.php?menitem=76 or call the club during office hours on 0121 443 3631

****ENDS****

[Communications Team]

Moseley Hope to Even The Score
For immediate release Friday 29th March 2013
Issued on behalf of Moseley Rugby

After a tremendous win at home against Bristol, Coaches Maggs and Hilton were desperately disappointed to have the Leeds match cancelled last Saturday because of snow. With a sterling effort of snow-clearance from an army of volunteers and ground-staff the pitch should be in good condition for tomorrow’s contest with London Scottish.

This will be the fourth time the teams have met this season, Moseley winning twice in the B & I Cup, but losing in the corresponding Championship fixture. All four matches have been decided by very narrow margins, but Maggs is keen to even the score in league points. “A win this week-end would surely secure our Championship future for next year” he said.”I have been delighted with our response since we established new targets at Christmas, and with one exception we have been more than competitive in all Championship matches since then.

The Moseley coaches have kept faith with the bulk of the selection made for last week-end. The game has added spice with the likely return to Billesley Common of several players who played in the red and black shirts last year.

RFU Championship: Moseley v London Scottish
Saturday 30th March, 3.00pm kick off at Billesley Common, Birmingham.

Starting 15: 01.Tom WARREN; 02. Sam WILKES; 03. Ben EVANS; 04. Addison LOCKLEY; 05 Buster LAWRENCE; 06. Ben PONS; 07. Oliver ROBINSON; 08. Neil MASON; 09.Ryan GLYNN; 10. Glynn HUGHES; 11 Billy ROBINSON; 12. Anthony CARTER; 13. Greg KING; 14. Simon HUNT; 15. Oliver THOMAS

Replacements: 16.Ethan WALLER; 17. Danny HERRIOTT; 18. Mike POWELL; 19.Sam DICKINSON; 20.Craig VOISEY; 21 Bradley HUNT; 22. Bradley DAVIES


****ENDS****

[Communications Team]

TEAM NEWS: Scottish make five changes as they prepare to face Moseley

For immediate release: Friday 29th March 2013
Issued on behalf of London Scottish

London Scottish have made five changes to the starting XV for their clash against Moseley at Billesley Common on Saturday (KO 3pm), with two dual-registered players coming into the line-up.

Winger Miles Mantella and lock Sam Twomey both start, as does Lewis Calder in the back row. There are also returns for Phil Godman at fly-half and Eric Fry at tighthead prop.

Mantella has scored five tries in his last four starts in a Scottish shirt, including braces against both Nottingham and Jersey. He lines up on the left wing, in a back three comprised of himself, James Love and Jim Thompson. Godman comes back into the starting side, replacing Simon Whatling at stand-off.

USA international prop Fry is back in the starting XV at tighthead, replacing Lewis Thiede. Twomey is brought into the second row alongside Paul Spivey, with Tyler Hotson named on the replacements bench. Calder is chosen at openside flanker, with Chevvy Pennycook moving to blindside and skipper Mark Bright continuing at No. 8.

Thiede, Nic Mayhew and Harry Allen will provide the front row replacement options from the bench, with Ben Russell, Richard Bolt and PJ Gidlow joining Hotson to form a five-two split between forwards and backs.

Director of Rugby Simon Amor: “We know we face a huge challenge against an in-form Moseley team. It’s a very challenging place to play and their results at home have been excellent. Moseley will go into this game as favourites and we’ll have to get all parts of our game right to earn a result.”

London Scottish side to face Moseley at Billesley Common on Saturday 30th March (KO 3pm):

15 Jim Thompson
14 James Love
13 Oli Grove
12 Andy Reay
11 Miles Mantella
10 Phil Godman
9 Jamie Stevenson
1 Mark Irish
2 Adam Kwasnicki
3 Eric Fry
4 Paul Spivey
5 Sam Twomey
6 Chevvy Pennycook
7 Lewis Calder
8 Mark Bright (c)

Replacements:

16 Nic Mayhew
17 Harry Allen
18 Lewis Thiede
19 Tyler Hotson
20 Ben Russell
21 Richard Bolt
22 PJ Gidlow


ENDS

[kingsheathlad]

Great turnout for the snow and mud clearance!, good banter amongst the supporters of all age groups, let's now have a great win tomorrow and ensure safety.

[studleyken]

Just arrived home from pitch clearing and what a superb effort is has been from the Ground Staff who did the main pitch clearance and our 16th man who did the clearing up. Brilliant response. Now looks odds on that the game should be able to go ahead tomorrow and allow us to get another 4/5 points nearer to safety. I'm optimistic. After that effort we deserve it and we know the team won't let us down when it comes to effort. So, once again, be vocal, don't just go to watch.
Come on you Mooooose and Mose Fans.

[philhall]

I'll be there - no doubt about that. Come on Moooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooose

[Communications Team]

Good news

The pitch has passed inspection this morning so it's defiantly game on this afternoon at 3.00pm

[vincebrum]

Brilliant, Just about to head up to Billesley . Come on Mose!!

[philhall]

What more can I say to all you people who cleared the pitch but THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart. I'll be up there later, scrubbed up and boots polished.

Come on Moooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooose.

[Phil]

I'd like to echo that sentiment, well done everyone!

Rugby, a few pints and hopefully a few winners at the dogs tonight with the MSA gang, perfect Saturday

[grooveavenue]

Am led to believe that Mr D Warren had wager with his local bookie with the bet.............."I will get about 40 people to clear muck off Billesley Common on Good Friday morning before lunch" a grand better off he says!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well done to the volunteers or as we are now known...."The Cow Pat Brigade of 2013". Reunion Good Friday 2014.

(Those in attendance will understand including Mums, Dads and their lads and gals!)

....and the match....................Come on Mozzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!!

[studleyken]

GAME ON!!!! Lets all get down to Billesley and shout on the team. After the Donny and Jersey results yesterday, a win today could as good as secure our place in the Championship for next year so BE VOCAL. DON'T JUST GO TO WATCH!!!
Come on you Mooooose and Mose Fans.

[markd]

A win today does guarantee safety. If Jersey beat Donny, Mose would be at least 12 points ahead of Donny who would have two left to play. If Donny beat Jersey, Mose would be at least 6 points ahead of Jersey who would have one left to play.

So, Let's go for it today. Tackle for all you're worth - every tackle counts! Kick when necessary, but only when necessary. We know this will be tight, but there are contracts to play for.

Come on Mose!

[philhall]

Pam has decided to come with me to the match today. Great. Mind you, because of the "chill factor" on the common, there will be no hanky panky behind the stand, before or after the game because - in addition to a ladies usual "protection" this is what she will be wearing: 2 pairs of pop socks, one pair of 40 denier reinforced passion killers ( tights ), 2 woolie vests, a pair of baggy trousers, 3 woolie pullies, two zip up fleece jackets, one fur coat, a pair of boots, two pairs of gloves, a scarf and a hat.

On the scale 1 to 10 I reckon I will be lucky to be able to squeeze into the seat next to her, never mind squeeze her tiny little hand.

But I wouldn't have it any other way.

Come on Mooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooose.

[nev2214]

a little disappointed with the result for all of those who put the effort in to clear the snow. felt we had to win that

[Communications Team]

Match report and photographs now on the club website

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