to quote from the above article "...not many teams will go away from home to places like Rosslyn Park and score 28 points, and come within minutes of beating them..." That sounds very familar, as anyone who watched Moseley play away to RP will remember.
Interesting to read that Birmingham has a tie up with Molesley Rugby nowadays...just down the road from Esher. Unfortunately for Cambridge we will have to repay that insult from the press!
Let's not wind up out opponents up too much we're on their turf remember. I can't make the game unfortunately but will be rooting for the guys. Good to see Lewis is playing.Come on Moseley!
Ah! beermonster my exact aim is to wind up BMRC nothing to do with the Fensiders.Let's not be fragile about our aim rather annoyed at reporters in their local rag [same owners as Bham Mail?] not bothering to read our title correctly. Be angry Birmingham Moseley!
Let's not wind up out opponents up too much we're on their turf remember. I can't make the game unfortunately but will be rooting for the guys. Good to see Lewis is playing.Come on Moseley!
May be the Cambridge Gazette is trying to wind us up (Liecester too)? Who knows?
Well folks, as one of the above notes has correctly quoted, "wow-nervy win, but a win all the same". Moseley, crucially, at the death, had the ball and were able to 'game manage' the last nervy 2-3 mins - it seemed like an eternity - without giving away a last ditch penalty. But it shouldn't have been that sort of ending, certainly not.
Moseley set off with the wind behind them and the clear intent of running the ball confidently at every opportunity, even from deep. They cut through the Cambridge defence at will, created numerous breaks and earned three splendid, well worked tries, the first after around 13 mins, the second after around a further 15 mins and the third after around 40 mins, although the third try was not converted. It was a little bit like the first half of the Plymouth home game where a dominant Moseley scrum and rampant three-quarters ran Cambridge ragged. Moseley were in the driving seat, were calling all the shots and looked set to win the first half by a comfortable margin before turning round to face the swirling wind - and, in theory carry on as before.
And then, about 3 mins later, just before half time and against the run of play, Cambridge 'stole' a try under the post. I say stole because Moseley seemed to take their eye 'off the ball' just for a split second, Cambridge somehow got hold of it, spun it wide to the right wing where a second row happened to be lurking. He trotted round the back of Moseley and dotted it down behind the post. 7 points, thank you Moseley.
7 - 19 at half time; not a problem though because Moseley were flying.
Moseley spent the entire break on the field of play because - so it was rumoured - someone 'forgot' to unlock the Moseley changing room and couldn't be found. It shouldn't have made any difference, after all Moseley looked comfortable, they looked fit, they exuded confidence and with the whole team playing as a team and supporting each other they looked unstoppable; and even though Tom Fidler had a bandaged head, they did not appear to have any injury problems.
But then the second half started and it was Cambridge who flew out of the blocks like demons possessed. Not to worry, I thought, as Moseley absorbed their attempts to bridge the hitherto effective Moseley defence. But this was a different Moseley to the Moseley in the first half. All too often when Cambridge lost the ball, particularly in the Moseley half, Moseley chose not to run it but kick it straight back to Cambridge, who ran it back, lost it again, so Moseley kicked it back to Cambridge who ran it back again.
All this period of sloppy play served to do was convince Cambridge that Moseley had run out of ideas, give them the encouragement to get be more ambitious and before long, Cambridge tails were up, Moseley were on the back foot, as it were and Cambridge were in control. After 20 mins Cambridge scored an easy, converted try near the post again and although Moseley were 14 - 19 to the better they had lost their scrum dominance and were looking decidedly ragged themselves.
Cambridge definitely had their tails up now and pressed Moseley at every opportunity. Indeed one clean break just inside the Cambridge half should have been a try under the post but the speedy Moseley backs managed to catch him a few yards short of the line. Moseley won a penalty from the snuffing out - no idea what for - but they took play back up into the Cambridge half where the won a penalty around the 10 yard line. Moseley, at 5 points in front, wisely chose to kick for points and luck was with them as the ball hit the upright but when through. Phew, 14- 22 an 8 point cushion.
Cambridge were determined not to surrender without a fight and fight back they did with another well worked converted try with just a few minutes left on the clock.
Crikey, it was time to start chewing nails again.
Moseley took the kick off well and put into plan game management. Would it hold, I asked myself, thinking of the number of times Moseley have been in this position and have conceded a penalty. I rather feel they have practice this now, albeit a bit late in the season, because they were calm and collected whilst under intense and determined Cambridge attempts to force a penalty. They 'shoved it up their jumpers' and played near the touchline whilst Sam kept an eye on the referee; and when he got the signal Sam hoofed the ball off the field of play.
4 Points but it should have been 5.
Phew, that was a bit fraught Moseley, but at least we won.
Come on Mooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooose
Well said nobby. Yes, we do seem to get the "The 4 Try Jitters" regularly ( and thats no dance!). We stroll up to 3 trys and then it seems,collectively, we assume the job is done and as sure as night follows day that we'll score the 4th, bonus point, try. Annoying really when I reflected of our dominant first half display - I was looking forward to 40 points on the board! Camb. no doubt were given slapped legs at half time and upped their pace having looked overwhelmed in the first period. However, really well done to our forwards for keeping the infringements score low as we came under pressure. And, what can we say about our backs chase after the interception, their guy must have had 15 to 20 yards lead. It would have been quite easy to have given that chase up.I enjoyed the grimased look on the Cambs players as he recognised our backs were chasing him down and with no support he was about to be snared - a great rugby moment! Well done for holding out Mose. Well done to BMRC fans for 1. Holding out in ridiculously cold conditions for Hawaian wear and 2. Ensuring their loud support most often drowned out Cambs. drum led chants!
Lots of calculations about next week but lets make it a plus plus afternoon.
So could we agree re the breakaway try effort from Cambs.The significance of the Mose player's tackle to end hopes of crossing the line - tackle of the season? Couldn't quite see who it was?! Wonder whether it has neen recorded?!
So could we agree re the breakaway try effort from Cambs.The significance of the Mose player's tackle to end hopes of crossing the line - tackle of the season? Couldn't quite see who it was?! Wonder whether it has neen recorded?!
What are the chances of some of injured players returning in 2 weeks (next week is a reserve weekend)? Are our Army guys available? Could it actually mean the selectors have more players to chose from than the normal 20? I think we should take the game to Caldy as we are the better team.
I think the find of the season, certainly the latter part of the season, has been Rob Lewis. Lewis, a supposed scrum half, has played some superb attacking rugby at centre and I feel has contributed immensely to giving the Moseley three quarter line a lot more power.
I don't know his plans for next season but I would love to see him stay on at Moseley and develop even more his skill as a centre.
Come on Moooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooose
