Post by Communications Team on Jan 12, 2014 7:13:47 GMT
Old Saltleians 25-17 Moseley Oak
Moseley Oak's Pinch of Salt
Moseley Oak could not pull the match out of the fire despite battering Old Salts for the last ten minutes.
Old Salts were down to 13 men following deserved yellow cards … but still it would not happen.
Defeat 25-17.
Four disrupted scrums at the death – a penalty try and two points would have been justice.
But Old Salts fought like tigers. In truth Moseley Oak made too many mistakes, there was not enough desire and passion, while the three quarters were ponderous.
A great winter’s day for rugby – flat pitch, no wind, streaky sunshine. Yet Moseley Oak were still snoozing as James Mason notched an unconverted score.Then it was for twenty minutes all Moseley.
First big No.8 Duncan White strolls in under the posts after the home team were stretched left to right and back. Next bulky second row Simon Homer did the business. Then Moseley Oak seemed to be cruising as Jack Fairhurst scooted in at the corner flag to make the score 5-17.
Three tries and just one more for a bonus point – then surely it would be all over.
Trouble was Old Salts hadn’t read the script and got one back on the half time whistle, Sam Turner touching down – just five points in it.Hardly fair on the balance of play.
Then, as Moseley Oak made mistakes at the start of the second period, Old Salts opened up the visitors.
Helped by a catalogue of Moseley Oak missed tackles and missed touch kicks. Impressive Lewis Beatty notched a penalty and then Turner tore Moseley Oak apart for a converted try.
In the lead for the first time it was extended with an important penalty, meaning Moseley Oak would have to score twice to win.The problem was the latter were only playing in bursts.
Prop forward Adrian Courtney was nearly in after a wonderful dummy, Richards was nearly in but not, and White, who otherwise was one of the few who played well, had what looked like a decent try turned down by the referee and then failed on the final whistle when a pushover was botched.
Fair play to Old Salts; they were heroic. And they may just have spiked Moseley Oak’s promotion hopes into the bargain. Moseley Oak have now lost three away – Bridgnorth, Crewe & Nantwich and Old Salts.
Too many.
They need to beat leaders Leek away and C&N home to have a chance of automatic promotion – even making the play-offs now looks a challenge. But it is never over until the fat lady sings and there remains plenty to play for.
End