Birmingham Moseley 28-32 Old Elthamians

[Communications Team]

MATCH PREVIEW 

By Glyn Barlow

Birmingham Moseley v Old Elthamians 

Saturday 7th April  

3pm kick off @ Billesley Common 

This weekend Birmingham Moseley take to the field for their last but one home game of the season, determined to lay down some performances they can build on over the summer as they prepare for the following season. The team will also be looking to eradicate the bad taste left by the narrow loss at Caldy two weeks ago.

This week’s opponents Old Elthamians currently sit just two points above Birmingham Moseley in 6th place, a very impressive performance in their first season in National One. Like Birmingham Moseley Elthamians lost last time out against third place Ampthill 6-18. A recent run of good form, however, has seen wins over Hull Ionians 42-26, Rosslyn Park 29-36 and Plymouth Albion 16-12.

The last time the two teams met was in December when Birmingham Moseley suffered one of their largest defeats of the season 47-17.

Having been just seven points behind at half time Birmingham Moseley imploded to ship five tries and 32 points, missed tackles and turnover ball being the main contributors to their downfall.

A danger man for Elthamians who will need close containment is Guyanan International wing Dom Lespierre who has already touched down for tries 17 times this season, currently sitting third in the list of leading scorers.

Complementing Lespierre’s abilities to secure tries is former Worcester and Wasps fly half Joe Carlisle whose boot has delivered 152 points to date.

Birmingham Moseley will still be hurting from the last minute penalty that seized victory from their grasps at Caldy.

After pulling away to a 3-12 lead in the first quarter of the game Caldy chipped away to haul in their visitors by half time. Overtaking Birmingham Moseley just after oranges the game swung both ways until Ollie Allsopp slotted a 74th minute penalty.

Unfortunately the team failed to close out the game, inexplicably opting to scrum a mark in their 22, on the 80th minute, and subsequently falling foul to the referees whistle.

If Birmingham Moseley are to end the season on a high they need to take victory this Saturday in a convincing manner. The elimination of the basic mistakes that have plagued the season must be a priority.

This is the chance for players to make a statement about their importance to next season’s squad, let’s hope they grasp it (and four or five league points).

[Phil]

[Phil]

Birmingham Moseley boss calling for last throw of the dice to be a six

[Communications Team]

[notanotherjohn]

28-32 FT

I thought was going to end badly after first 10 minutes but the lads came back beautifully.

Tackle of the season for Cavesy???

[markd]

Does the lack of comment point to a lack of interest? Hopefully not. OE's played near error-free rugby in the first 20 minutes and Mose could not live with them. Indeed, it might have been worse. The Tom Fidler sprint for the line gave some hope, but the OE's bonus point try on half time effectively killed the game. Mose were much better in the second half as OE's paid for their first half exertions and the bonus point try was well-earned and deserved. Nevertheless, if I were to compare Mose to a racehorse, I suppose the form comment would read 'one-paced'. It was stamina that came into play in the second half when OE's began to fall away, but the damage was already done. The kicking out of hand for touch from penalties was pretty poor - always giving the pack far more to do than might have been necessary with a more aggressive aim. I would dearly like to see the assessor's comments for the ref. His signalling was half-hearted in the extreme and some decisions (especially the last OE's scoring penalty) looked very debatable indeed. His time keeping was very spectator unfriendly- always waiting around 30 seconds to stop the watch when treatment was happening and not hurrying OE's dilatory amble to the restart after a Mose score. In fact, what best summed up his overall performance was that his assistant had to give a forward pass from 40 metres away, when the ref was closer by a factor of 10x.

Probably most of us can see what needs fixing for next season, but we're not the ones in charge.

Come on Mose!

[philhall]

I agree with markd and his comments. OE deserved their 5 points if only for the first half in which they demonstrated beyond any doubt the benefits of fitness, individual skills, excellent running lines and, more important, support play. It was the clinical execution of their support play which was the killer blow for Moseley. Time and again they made a break and always had support. The first two tries were well taken snipes around the fringes by the scrum half but time and time again when they made a break they had support play right left and centre. Indeed the bonus try was scored with such audacity it beggared belief. The OE number 10 made a clean break, stopped around the Moseley 22 then literally turned round to look for the best scoring option. Why on earth he wasn't flattened whilst he stood looking around for support I do not know. And the referee was certainly "different".

In the second half Moseley built on their first half positives where they had the edge in the pack and where Jaque Le Roux had another excellent game. They ground down the OE rather than outplayed them but it was all too late. However, apart from known handling weaknesses Moseley have had two significant failings all season.

First and perhaps the most important, Moseley are not very good at support play; supporting the player who makes a clean break such as Jaques le Roux who runs some excellent lines but rarely has the support to reap the benefits - although he did have the support of Fidler with one score. Mind you, that one was the exception rather than the rule.

Secondly Moseley still lack the vision and awareness that they often have a clear overlap advantage. Time and again with the line beckoning the last but one player cuts inside rather than pass the ball out and offer support. And, like the rest of the supporters I just could not understand why, halfway through the second half when Moseley disintegrated the OE pack the referee penalised Moseley. And the number of times the referee got in the way was most unusual.

After the game I nabbed the referee and asked him the direct question. "Why did you penalise Moseley when they disintegrated the OE pack"? His answer was "Moseley stood up marginally before OE so he penalised the Moseley front row for standing up. I ask you. I pointed out that it was the splintered OE pack that stood up, NOT the dominant Moseley pack, but he wouldn't have it. He said that other than that occasion the Moseley pack were "on top" with no problems. He said he would "view the video of the game later".

I also commented to him about his vague signals and getting in the way of play but I don't suppose for one minute he will lose any sleep over it.

And just to add insult to injury Bishop Stortford thumped Fylde and jumped ahead of Moseley in the table.

Never mind we have the foundation of a better team for next season so it's onwards and upwards.

Come on Moooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooose.

[andyj]

Not really much to add to what Mark and Phil have written.
Like "notanotherjohn" I did fear the worst after 10 mins when we couldn't get any real possession. All credit to OE they did move the ball around particularly well. Why then, once we got the ball, did we end up kicking it away?
I thought the lads came back really well in the second half and the gamesmanship tactics OE introduced indicated they were concerned. I would add that we did, unfortunately, "butcher" 3 throw ins late in the game when we were in their 22.
My man of the match was Laurence Cowen who was immense. I counted 6 superbly timed tackles he made in the first 10 mins.

[Phil]

Birmingham Moseley 28 Old Elthamians 32: Moseley are left with too much ground to make up

[grooveavenue]

Thanks for comments press and fans..wasn't there....in bed with "flo".. ..cant spell influenza....but we seem to have had to endeavour to come back on a number of occasions this time around. So a surprise late Easter or early May Bank holiday present victory down on the coast next Saturday..5 points from Park and a battle in the home counties to end the season nicely. Hopefully we can keep a good bulk of the squad to settle into a rare situation for Birmingham....squad retention over two seasons. With some luck such an outcome will only improve players, team performances and our standing....can't wait. Diary Reminder: Must get my season ticket application in ....

[southernmose]

Apr 9, 2018 17:44:25 GMT grooveavenue said:

Thanks for comments press and fans..wasn't there....in bed with "flo".. ..cant spell influenza....but we seem to have had to endeavour to come back on a number of occasions this time around. So a surprise late Easter or early May Bank holiday present victory down on the coast next Saturday..5 points from Park and a battle in the home counties to end the season nicely. Hopefully we can keep a good bulk of the squad to settle into a rare situation for Birmingham....squad retention over two seasons. With some luck such an outcome will only improve players, team performances and our standing....can't wait. Diary Reminder: Must get my season ticket application in ....

In fairness I thought Birmingham were celebrating promotion this weekend?

Mose on the other hand....

I've not managed to get up much this side of Christmas but will be making my next Moseley appearance for the Park match. My season ticket is a great investment  . 

Obviously I will be renewing. Must be mad.

[grooveavenue]

Well...but I've decided I need to be more succinct in my messaging and Birmingham fills that requirement. Not a traitor just an updater... smile?.....I'll drop this now for fear of repercussions.....lets get it right.... Birmingham Moseley REC . .....enjoy the week...

[grooveavenue]

Or RFC to be succinct...

[southernmose]

Apr 9, 2018 19:27:42 GMT grooveavenue said:

Well...but I've decided I need to be more succinct in my messaging and Birmingham fills that requirement. 

Mose is succincter than Birmingham   

[grooveavenue]

Crickey.....never realised that but it is only meaningful to inner sanctum....hope fitness levels are ok for Saturday at Albion...and that's the players.....have a good week and we'll all speak again in the near future, the very near future....