Birmingham Moseley 34-19 Rosslyn Park

[Communications Team]

After the disappointment of the overtime loss at Plymouth Albion Birmingham Moseley have an opportunity this weekend to end their seasons home matches with a win against Rosslyn Park.

That said, it will take at least a performance of the level they attained last week to overcome a Park team who will be looking to eradicate their own frustrations from a one point 36-37 loss to Hull Ionians last Saturday. Added to this they currently sit in 12th place, five points away from the relegation zone with three games to play. You can bet they will be motivated!

While Birmingham Moseley sit in the top half of the table (just) the aim must still be to finishing the season on a high. Bishop’s Stortford are just above them on the same league points, but with a better match points difference. With Stortford playing Cambridge this week Birmingham Moseley need to aim for a bonus point win to keep the pressure on.

The team should be targeting a sixth place end to the season and, while they have no influence on Stortford and Elthamians results, to do that they really need to look to gain maximum points in the last two games.

When Birmingham Moseley and Rosslyn Park met last in December the men in red and black got the try bonus but failed to get the win. It was a particularly disappointing result in light of Park being reduced to 13 men within the last 10 minutes, an advantage Birmingham Moseley were unable to capitalise on.

Despite their loss last week to Hull Ionians Rosslyn Park have recently given clear indications of what they are capable of. The previous weekend they went to league leaders Coventry and gave them a real fright just falling short 32-27. Prior to that they went down to third place Ampthill 21-31 and before that they overcome second placed Darlington Mowden Park 38-26. Underestimate them at your peril.

Park’s danger men this season have been wing Ben Marfo who has scored 11 tries along with centre Andrew Henderson (10) and full back Henry Robinson (9) suggesting a backline with real firepower. If Birmingham Moseley are to emerge victorious we will need our forwards to dominate and keep the ball away from the dangerous Park back five.

The team must also be wary of giving Harry Leonard opportunities to kick at goal as his 184 points to date sees him standing fourth in the leagues list of points scorers.

With just two more opportunities for some players to convince management that they should be a vital part of next season’s plans then we should expect a performance fitting the final home game of the season. The loyal home support deserve nothing less.

[Phil]

Aaron Crofts is on front foot as Birmingham Moseley take some giant steps

[Phil]

[andyj]

Won 34:19. Great game with a big crowd.
We played some really expansive rugby which augurs well for next season.
Surprised that Buster didn’t join the squad at the end of the game.
It would have been nice to have had details of who was staying prior to the game.

[grooveavenue]

We got through those last 20 mins to bonus point win ....well done BMRFC....in recent weeks 60 to 80 mins has proved difficult. Now all we need is 4 points in the Home Counties.Mainly hope we can sign a majority of squad for next season...continuity...

[philhall]

Well folks I only saw the second half due to work and although some told me it was not as good as the first half I still thought it was a cracking game. I was surprised just many big lumps RP had in their side - never mind the pack - but Moseley defended superbly. Moreover, they attacked even better and made some wonderful breaks both up front and in the three-quarters. Whilst it can seem unfair to pick out any one player when the team as a whole are playing so well, some players have improved in leaps and bounds particularly in the latter part of the season.

Here I really must mention Sam Pointon - I wonder if he is any relation to Harold Pointon who played stand off for Wakefield Trinity and England rugby league in the 60s. Sam is developing onto a little pocket battleship. He is defends as though his life depends on it and has developed quite an attacking flair as well. And his follow up to the kick ahead in the second half - I very nearly missed it because I was just settling down - was a classic example of the benefit of support play, no matter how insignificant and futile that might seem. It was a glorious, glorious try - OK a fortuitous bounce, but he was there to take advantage - that's the game of rugby and one that will be relived time and again. What a lovely game and result that will cheer us all into the summer rest period.

However, a more pressing but equally important point is the question of player retention for next season. I, along with many, many other supporters sincerely hope that the winning style of play Moseley have created in the latter part of this season will continue from day one next season. It does not take rocket science to appreciate that a learning curve starting in September last year to the performance today has been one long and difficult upward struggle but Moseley ARE getting there.

Perhaps the most important factor in that remarkable development has been the teamwork, the trust and the confidence the players have in themselves and their different abilities. They have obviously been talking to each other, supporting each other, playing for each other; being honest with each other.

I SINCERELY HOPE "THE MANAGEMENT" ARE EQUALLY UP TO THE TASK OF "TALKING TO THE PLAYERS; SUPPORTING THE PLAYERS AND, MOST IMPORTANT, BEING "HONEST" WITH THE PLAYERS ABOUT NEXT SEASON - something which has been lacking this last few seasons. Remember last season when half the team signed for Coventry weeks before the season finished!!!

Of course there will be the odd player who moves on for one reason or the other but provided we retain the bulk of the squad - and in that regard I sincerely hope that Prothers, or whomsoever is responsible for player contracts has already discussed with ALL - EACH AND EVERY ONE of the squad players their options for next season - the future looks rosy. I certainly feel that I can look toward to next season with a half full glass rather than a half empty glass.

What say others?

Come on Moooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooose

[UpTheMose]

I overheard a couple of conversations in the bar after the the game and it was apparent that the above has not been happening. Players less than happy that their position in the team next year is still uncertain as no conversations have been had Which is very concerning and unprofessional if this is true as players will go elsewhere!

I did manage to have a chat with a couple of players at the bar who were less than positive about what’s been going on behind the scenes.......worrying times could be ahead if things don’t change.

[grooveavenue]

Oh dear...its a bit like Channel 4 repeats all this heresay stuff....it happened 2016.17 2015.16 2014.15 blaa via a via a at this time of season....

[Communications Team]

We can confirm that the management is in the process of discussing contracts with players who are in one year contracts and a number have already made commitments to stay.

Policy is always to not announce until signatures complete on contracts but we are hopeful some can be confirmed very soon.

[philhall]

With regards to 'UpTheMose' it is said that there is no smoke without fire - and often true.

[Communications Team]

Let's wait and see shall we Phil?

[Phil]

Birmingham Moseley 34 Rosslyn Park 19: Mose dazzle as they bring home campaign to an end

[southernmose]

Great game to finish the (home) season with, and clear to me - as someone that hasn't managed to get up since January for a variety of reasons - that the squad have really come together over the second half of the season. Plenty of reasons to be cheerful.

On the smoke without fire philhall, it should go without saying that this is the internet, and anyone in the world with a wifi code can log on and say anything they like. It's dead easy to say there's smoke when there isn't, let alone the fire.

FWIW, and I'm sure that there are people on here with even more knowledge than I've got, but at least one of the players allegedly "off" the other month when rumours last surfaced has told me to my face that he isn't, and another one's put it in writing to me!

Obviously I'm not going to name either of them....but as I say, anyone can say anything on the internet....

[southernmose]

Incidentally, is there any update on the lad from Park who the ambulance came for? He took a hell of a knock.

[Communications Team]

Apr 23, 2018 14:50:40 GMT southernmose said:

Great game to finish the (home) season with, and clear to me - as someone that hasn't managed to get up since January for a variety of reasons - that the squad have really come together over the second half of the season. Plenty of reasons to be cheerful.

On the smoke without fire philhall, it should go without saying that this is the internet, and anyone in the world with a wifi code can log on and say anything they like. It's dead easy to say there's smoke when there isn't, let alone the fire.

FWIW, and I'm sure that there are people on here with even more knowledge than I've got, but at least one of the players allegedly "off" the other month when rumours last surfaced has told me to my face that he isn't, and another one's put it in writing to me!

Obviously I'm not going to name either of them....but as I say, anyone can say anything on the internet....

Let's just say we are quietly confident we will soon be pouring water on said smoking fire 

[Communications Team]

We can now confirm that the website profiles page for 2018/19 is up to date with 19 players confirmed in next years squad, comprising those on 2 year contracts, re-signed for next season and new signing Sam Hayward. (And more to follow)

Not bad considering the management haven’t spoken to any players?

[grooveavenue]

Comms. You are wicked.. .Good stuff. ..realise you will have to go through the same next April from forgetful minds...

[grooveavenue]

I like it Comms....patience is a virtue.. .

[southernmose]

Excellent news all round. Although i’ve Heard scurrilous rumours that there are rugby players out there in the world not called Sam 😂