Albion had a good work out versus a strong defence DWP last week so they'll be itching to carry on that trait versus our very own forwards. Reportedly they have away day blues and aren't quite satisifed with their form on the road but with a total loss record of only 5 over the season Albion still have a record we'd be very pleased with. It looks as if they will be sending out the same team as last week end so loads of cohesion and team work can be anticipated.
Well, those attributes are exactly what BMRFC are now starting to demonstrate and I am looking forward to another forward blast on Saturday. My wish is that with (can I dare to say) firmer grounds we hopefully can witness our backs and wingers being involved a lot more to surprise the visitors out wide with pace and flair around their defence. So it's simple. This is probably the biggest test we have had since having a more settled line-up in 2018 and never mind the televised Principality v Constituent Region fixture, be pitch side to ease us down the slope! [PING! Idea- turn the TV's off around the grounds].
p.s Day 3 of the kids Training looked to have been thoroughly enjoyable by the squad if photo evidence is to be believed! Now, which ones will be future First XV crew members- Coaches ?
Accept apologies - should have included The Republic of Ireland alongside their team mates from the Constituent Region of Northern Ireland ( I'm in dangerous watters now)
Post by Communications Team on Feb 23, 2018 17:04:28 GMT
Match Preview
Birmingham Moseley v Plymouth Albion
By Glyn Barlow
Saturday 24th February 2018
3.00pm KO @ Billesley Common
This weekend we welcome old friends Plymouth Albion to Billesley Common for our second home game in a row, due to the fixture being postponed from its original December date falling foul of the weather.
This season Albion are currently sitting in fourth place just four points behind Tonga, sorry Ampthill, so they will certainly be targeting this game as a chance to enter the top three.
In preparation for the season Albion brought in a number of new (and not so new) faces including wing Jack Arnott and prop Luke Chapman from Cornish Pirates, prop Ricky Cano from Rotherham, fly half Dan Mugford from Nottingham and back row Eoghan Grace from Coventry.
The signing of Mugford has proved to be an astute one as he currently tops the team in terms of points scored (168, fourth highest in the league) and tries alongside hooker Rupert Freestone who also has eight.
As well as an ability to score points Albion have demonstrated a mean nature, letting in only 40 tries all season. Indeed they have conceded the second lowest number of points in the league to date. Birmingham Moseley will need to be at their best in attack if they are going to crack this defence.
In recent weeks Plymouth have chalked up wins against second place Darlington Mowden Park 34-19, Caldy 21-16, Fylde 0-26 and Esher 29-33. On the debit side however they will be disappointed to have conceded losses to Old Elthamians 16-12 and Cambridge 16-14.
The Darlington Mowden Park result last weekend will have been particularly pleasing as wins on the road have not been too prevalent recently with their only previous one in 2018 being when they beat Fylde.
Birmingham Moseley have the chance to make it three in a row following a 36-21 win over Fylde. The team showed great resolve to succeed, having played most of the game with fourteen men.
Apart from Jacques Le Roux’s excellent hat trick of tries highlights included the control Sam Brown and Sam Hollingsworth gave at half back, a dominant scrum and lineout performance with the dynamic Adam Caves to the fore, plus an excellent shift from Ollie Allsopp covering for his missing centre partner for so long.
If the team are to prevail over the men from Devon then more, much more, of the spirit of last Saturday needs to be found, while control and discipline needs to return.
With Old Elthamians within striking distance and Bishop’s Stortford and Caldy breathing down their necks there won’t be a better time to deliver an eighty minute performance of the type glimpsed in patches this season. Now is the time to push onwards and upwards.
Pam and I will be there. I am going to apply reverse psychology. In truth I don't expect a Moseley win and will be pleased with a good losing bonus point performance. However, the flip side of that is that if Moseley DO win, even a close four pointer, then I will be even MORE pleaded. So, all in all, a positive win-win approach.
Come on Moooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooose
We ran 'em close and a lot better performance than at Plymouth and last season down on the Common. Attacking play with our backs is improving = 2 tries from wingers and well done Haining on debut try. If we cannot win-get a losers bonus!
A bit like Phil Hall before the game I would have been pleased with a bonus point. However, I left the ground feeling we should have had more. Our pack were once again immense and really “bossed” the Plymouth 8. The backs continue to grow in confidence and Ollie is shaping up to be a solid centre. Losing Buster was a bit of a turning point and Plymouth took heart from that. Sam is becoming far more tactically aware and kept the line buzzing. He does, however, need to work on his kicking. Missing touch from a penalty in the second half proved to be rather costly. I was disappointed that Rob was substituted as he was having a very good game. I know it is a cheap shot to have a go at the touch judges but the one running the line near the stand in the second half was hopeless. He missed a clear neck roll tackle and a glaring knock on following which Plymouth scored. In such a tight game these mistakes were pivotal. Off to Loughborough next week so let’s see what type of side they put out!!!!!!
Agree with andyj that whilst I was prepared for a losing bonus I hadn't anticipated Moseley being in such commanding control for most of the game. In essence Moseley won and won well, but Plymouth got the spoils which rather spoils the good feeling factor of an honourable losing bonus.
The Moseley tight eight were phenomenal and had the Plymouth eight in trouble from the first scrum to the last. And the number of scrum penalties Moseley won was incredible - I've never seen so many scrum penalties in one game. Without question Moseley should have had at least two penalty tries during the last 10 minutes of the first half but all they got was a prop sent off - poor return for such dominance.
And I don't feel it is a cheep shot to have a go at the linesman, or the referee for that matter because at one kick off early in the second half Plymouth knocked on yet the referee played on. I also feel the referee overdid the penalty advantage seeming to play on for ages and ages - particularly in favour of Plymouth. I certainly feel there should be a time limit - say 30 seconds / or 10 yards - for penalty advantage.
I was very impressed with some well executed planned moves in the Moseley three-quarters. Well done Moseley.
And, as I have already said, if only Mark Harrison had been on the end of the last break-out - yes even Jonny May as grooveavenue says, or Ken Norton, or Matt Williams, or Robner for that matter - even Thomo in his day.
All in all a very, very heartening performance. Well done Moseley.
And can somebody stop the chap coming on this site saying "Can we talk". No thank you. I do NOT want adverts popping up every time I switch on my laptop.
Come on Mooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooose
Post by kingsheathlad on Feb 25, 2018 19:22:32 GMT
I could not make the game and lots of positives from the posts above. Reading Plymouth's match report you would think we were not in the game,somewhat one eyed.
