Rotherham Titans 26- 22 Moseley - League Status Preserved

[Communications Team]

Rotherham Titans 26 (13-10) 22 Moseley

Rotherham
Tries: Sheridan, Penalty
Cons: McKinney 2
Pens: McKinney 4

Moseley
Tries: Hughes, Pienaar, O. Robinson
Cons: Hughes 2
Pens: Hughes

Match Stats: www.statbunker.com/rugby/btb/index.php?PL=match&MatchID=27839

With Jersey beating Doncaster 13-10 and the losing bonus point gained at Rotherham, this means that Moseley have secured their place in next season's RFU Championship. The single relegation spot will be contested by Jersey and Doncaster. Jersey are 9 points ahead of Doncaster who have 2 games remaining.
League Table: www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/the-english-championship/table

[markd]

Naturally, the BBC table (supplied by the Press Association?) is wrong - no recognition of yesterday's losing bonus point.

Nevertheless, well done to all concerned. Let's get the squad settled quickly make sure that new recruits really want to play for Moseley - no journeyman! It is disappointing to lose the Hayter's, Lockley's and Hughes's of this world, but they have all either moved up or to fully professional set-ups. I have no problem with that.

Come on Mose!

[rickroyce]

I await the observations of more knowledgeable fans than I, notably the Great Brian Dick but to me this was a game that we could have, should have won.

Why didn’t we? Because of two kick-offs straight into touch ‘due to wind’ that Rotherham later demonstrated could be avoided, because of two missed penalties from field positions that Rotherham later succeeded with, but most of all because of an absolutely appalling lineout. Two long throws to – no over the back collected by a grateful Rotherham player were just the icing on the cake as far as they were concerned. I will be interested to know what the actual count was, but I do know that the Rotherham one must have been in the range of 90% success while ours was about 5%?.

So why did we come so close and get ourselves a bonus point? Because we were - all the above excepted of course– the better team. A try close in and a penalty within the first five minutes, another scintillating one in the second half, reminiscent of those against Leeds just showed what this team is capable of.

A Rotherham penalty try after just one drop in comparison to the six or eight that we were awarded last week before we got ours against Leeds was similarly exasperating.

How frustrating to travel so far for such a disappointing result. But then it’s been like that all season seemingly.

Never mind, we live to fight another day yet again. Let’s hope that with a little more luck with referees, a lineout worthy of the name, a comparable coaching performance to this year's and most of the same team, next year we can avoid being in such a low league position that we do not deserve .

Incidentally, what an unpleasant, spectator unfriendly ground Clifton Lane is. A miniscule stand with about four rows of seats(should be named the T.T.S – Tiny Titan’s Stand!), which means that those of us of advancing years have nowhere to sit and a cricket pitch (of all things!) taking up half of the opposite side of the field which means that those of us who like to view from the half way line have to stand behind the posts or in either twenty two.

There was some discussion among us as to whether players really look bigger when wearing light colours like Rotherham did, as Mose boys always seem to appear smaller than their opponents. Doesn’t seem to do the All blacks much harm!
Incidentally, was it the shirts that made the Titans appear to have very attractive large t…. – to be very well endowed in the bosom department!

And btw, isn’t it about time that someone told Rotherham fans that rugby etiquette is not like football – just as when you stay quiet while kicks at goal are being taken, you don’t jeer en masse when an opposition player is under the high ball, no matter how tempting. Fortunately, it didn’t put our lads off.

Well done boys!

[robertbrown]

I agree with mose of the above from RR I think we were also beaten in most of the scrums, even conceding a penalty try. With so much lost possesion we did very well to finish within bonus point range.

A point I have been moaning about all season is the farce scrums have got to. A scrum when I was reffing was to restart the game after a minor infringement. But it seems to me that it is becoming a method for the pack on top to engineer a penalty. However as I have never played in the forwards I will let someone more knowledgable than me to contact the law makers.

The reason I bring this point up now is because imho again yesterday's game was spoiled by it.

[grooveavenue]

Yes Robert Brown agree. On the Lolndon Scottish match I timed 13 mins of setting up the scrum throughout the match. No one feeds the scrum straight in any case!

Well, it was disappointing result at Titans. We cant go missing 3 pens and a conversion away and expect more than a losing point! The tweet system is great but it hides the true facts of the game. Like it did not reveal we were down to 13 at one time! That fact in itself puts the result in a better light so its well done lads for sticking it out.

So next week is a real biggy for Blues fighting it out with Leeds. Lets give it a good go Moz to end the season especially to avoid 4 losses on the trot. Just a few weeks ago our record looked quite good but now only 6 wins makes it look not so good.

By the way Oak are right up there and their match on 27.4 could be their day of reckoning. Lets all get down and cheer them on - a bumper gate for them!!

[grooveavenue]

The final insult!

Sunday Mercury

DONCASTER 26 MOSELEY 22

Oh! Brian, will you be at The common next week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[observer]

Birmingham Mail report
www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/rugby/doncaster-26-moseley-22---2593676

Birmingham Post
www.birminghampost.net/midlands-birmingham-sport/west-midlands-sports/rfu-news/2013/04/13/rfu-championship-rotherham-titans-26-moseley-22-65233-33169033/

[CJB1]

Apr 14, 2013 9:40:12 GMT rickroyce said:

Incidentally, what an unpleasant, spectator unfriendly ground Clifton Lane is. A miniscule stand with about four rows of seats(should be named the T.T.S – Tiny Titan’s Stand!), which means that those of us of advancing years have nowhere to sit and a cricket pitch (of all things!) taking up half of the opposite side of the field which means that those of us who like to view from the half way line have to stand behind the posts or in either twenty two.

I think that's rather unfair. The clubhouse there is fine, and the beer and pie excellent. You can watch from the covered verandah if you like, and the Roth fans are very friendly, apart from during the 80 mins of the match itself. Worse features are the size of the pitch, which is clearly both a bit short and a bit narrow, and the ample opportunities to lose balls that are kicked out of the ground into the road. They'd love to move out into a better stadium, but the footy club aren't interested in sharing the New York Stadium, and the former football ground, Millmoor, requires some work and would be costly in terms of rent, as the owner appears to be rather avaricious.

[titantony]

Thank you CJB1 - I thought this was a hard fought (literally in the case of Makafi and King) encounter between two committed sides who have a lot in common as clubs. In spite of our facilities, which we know are poor, you can be assured of a warm welcome again next season.
Incidentally, I thought that Mose had great travelling support - very vocal and stationed all over the ground, including the cricket club balcony!

[studleyken]

Thanks to the Fans who went to the Rotherham game on the coach. It was a bit "different" at times, the driver missing turnings and having a few other problems but we got there and back OK and the atmosphere was great. Those that chose to go independently missed out. Thanks to those that supplied the food. Yummy, especially the Oreo Balls and Pasties.
The game was one we should have, again, won but at least the bonus point kept us in the Championship. From rumors going round, we might also keep the majority of the squad for next season as well so we might have a more settled team, having only to bring in a few players rather than the vast number that we had to this season. I might even be able to grow my nails again if we can settle into a mid-table or better position next season.
I don't agree the Rotherham club/ground is as bad as Rickroyce says, and agree rather with CJB1. The MSA is always well received there and food and fans are good and friendly.
Next season we, the MSA, will try to run as many coaches as possible but it is governed by the number of people who want to go to away games. It's both fun and friendly so give it a try.
Come on you Mooooose and Mose Fans.

[CJB1]

No problem titantony, and you can quote me on your forum if you like.

[Littlemissminx]

Grooveavenue, can i please point out that the twitter live score feed is difficult to do. It is done using a mobile phone or tablet device and their can be loss of signal and in somecases when at games you cant even here the commentator say that a player has been sent off. I know the people that are involved in this and as you can imagine it takes a great deal of time setting this up and you end up missing parts of the game because you are tapping away trying to update as quick as possible for those that arent at the game.

[Richie B]

Think we need to be realistic about the game Saturday. Yes mathematically we could have won had Glyn not had an off day with the boot, or if we'd not messed up the rolling maul opportunity at the death, or if the referee had not been so keen to award a penalty try so early at scrum time. However, I don’t think that hand on heart I could say that the better team on the day lost.
Aside from the first 10 minutes when we were excellent and a few minutes at the end the game was dominated by the Roth pack. Scrum was in a bit of trouble and Dan Sanderson was as imperious in the lineout as we were abject. My thinking is that what really lost us the game was the tactical error of getting into an arm wrestle with the Roth pack when it’s pretty common knowledge that it is their major strength. All the more puzzling really considering that we made a significant number of line breaks in the threes.
Don’t get me wrong I’m fully supportive of the efforts put in by the lads on the park but the lack of quality quick possession has been a real problem to us all season. The good thing about the set piece is that it is supposed to concentrate the packs in a small amount of space, thereby opening up the field for the threequarters to attack. Sadly the stats tell us that 70% of scrums end up in penalties or free kicks nowadays. Most of the penalties result in a kick to touch, therefore the ability to win the subsequent lineout is even more paramount. It’s also not just enough to throw to the front and scramble the ball away. An attacking stand off wants at worst off the top ball from the middle, (ideally the back) so the opposition back row are taken out of the game. Unfortunately save a few games at the start of the year the lineout has seriously malfunctioned and therefore behind the scrum we haven’t been able to exploit attacking opportunities from set piece. Sure our backs would have killed for the quality of possession Dan Sanderson was supplying all game. IMHO this is something that will need to be addressed as the top priority in the pre-season. Alternatively we could all kid ourselves that this was another game we “should” have won and ignore the facts that we were deservedly beaten on the day.

[markd]

In fairness to Brian re: Sunday Mercury, this was probably a hurried sub-editor reading the first couple of lines which talk about Donny's failure to beat Jersey.

[robheap]

I agree with most comments made here, this game is our one away day every season, mainly cos number 1 son lives in Sheffield and other than a clash of dates when we played Donny is an ideal opportunity to meet up for a few beers and watch Mose.
It isnt the best ground for spectating but the beer and Roth fans are generally very welcoming, even to the point that we (5 of us) could have got in for free. the tickets left on the gate were "to be paid for" marked clearly on envelope but the gateman when offered cash didn't realise.
However, honesty prevailed and we had a good day, the Black Sheep is a lovely pint, and the game was enjoyable, save for the poor reffing (AGAIN) at scrum time, and the malfunctioning lineout.

All in all Glynn can't be blamed, yeah he had an off day with the boot, but 3 tries and some successful kicks in the swirling wind kept it a close game throughout.

we need to build now for next season, work on the lineout and scrum and see some more ball for the backs to work with next season.
Incidentally, its far better watching Mose as I have done for the last 18 years, than going to the House of Pain to watch the Claret & Blue lot with the round ball disappoint every week, which we used to alternate with Mose. far better entertainment at Billesley.
shame saturday is the last of the season, roll on September.
incidentally is it too simplistic to hope Bedford play a "second XV" and save their better players for the play offs?

[CJB1]

Apr 16, 2013 6:00:40 GMT robheap said:

incidentally is it too simplistic to hope Bedford play a "second XV" and save their better players for the play offs?

Yes, I'm afraid so, since they will probably still need to win to ensure they get a playoff place.

[grooveavenue]

Hi Therapy, It was not meant as a criticism. Just daft me sitting at home in the warmth while your fingers are bleeding with frost bite etc trying to keep us all informed . A real great job of it you make too. Its better than the best TV thriller film - keeps us on edge and waiting to hear of a Moz try (!!). Any way well done and its a win on Saturday v Bedford me thinks. Nothing to lose but an important one for Blues. Lets go out with a bang. And a well deserved rest for your digits follows!

[robheap]

Thanks CJB1, looks like we'll have to try and spoil their party then,
C'mon you Mose

[kingsheathlad]

Bedford beat Doncaster 38-26 points 5-1.
Confirms Doncaster relegated.

[CJB1]

Apr 16, 2013 15:40:38 GMT robheap said:

Thanks CJB1, looks like we'll have to try and spoil their party then,
C'mon you Mose

Bedford took 5 points from tonights game, giving them 66 points to Bristol's 61. Bristol could still overhail Leeds (63 pts) but I think would need snookers to catch Bedford, as the points diff is heavily in Bedford's favour. Bedford can't catch Nottingham in 2nd place with 72 pts. So they may not *need* a win on Saturday, but they will still want to go out with a bang (as will we), and if they finish 3rd will (I think) face Nottingham in the semis rather than Newcastle.