Post by kingsheathlad on Apr 19, 2022 16:11:34 GMT
I think Cinderford want to reach the highest placing they can reach in this league and we can still go up places if results go our way, so hopefully a competitive game.
Even though Moseley have lost three times to Cinderford this season ( 2 friendly, 1 league ) I feel that Moseley have made tremendous improvements, as a team, as the season has progressed. Cinderford will not give Moseley an easy ride, that is for sure, but I still feel reasonably comfortable that a more confident Moseley will be in with a shout tomorrow. I will certainly be there, as no doubt will be many others supporters, cheering the lads on tomorrow and will be more than happy with even a slim 4 point win.
Come on Mooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooose
In the last home game of the season a see-saw pulsating match saw Moseley turned on the power in an exciting match against local rivals Cinderford. Up the slope and with a wind behind them Cinderford struggled to break through a stubborn, solid Moseley defence. They also struggled to benefit from the strong wind and all too often kicked the ball out on the full or over the dead ball line. That suited the Moseley pack which more than held its own against a strong Cinderford pack - even after both Ryan Roach and David Langley had to retire with popped ribs.
Moseley even won a couple of scrum penalties and with both sides prepared to run the ball it seemed only a matter of time before something had to give. But it didn’t as Moseley constantly disrupted the Cinderford attacks even winning a good share of turnover ball in the process. Indeed a superb Moseley break on about 10 mins had the loyal supporters wildly excited as a midfield break and superb support play almost put Luke Hibbard into the clubhouse corner.
Cinderford were proving to be very good a pinching the ball in the tackle which, all too often, helped them turn defence into attack. But Moseley kept up the pressure and with a couple of minutes of the first half remaining Cinderford buckled, the No 1 prop was given a yellow card and Moseley kicked the penalty. It had been a superb performance by Moseley who had a Tom Benjamin try disallowed – it was adjudged held up - and should have had a better than 3 – 0 half time lead.
Still a player short at the start of the second half Cinderford took the game back to Moseley and after 10 minutes pressure created an overlap to score a converted try near the posts to put Cinderford 3 - 7 ahead. Behind a solid scrum, an equally steady line-out and with more than a little adventure Moseley played some good attacking rugby taking play well into the Cinderford half time and again. Cinderford defended well, as would be expected of them but Moseley pressurised then into mistakes. Finally, with about 5 minutes to go a lovely counter attack by Moseley and some quick hands to the right Sam Pointon - who had been a constant thorn in the Cinderford side - went over to score a lovely try. Dan Lewis added the conversion points to put Moseley 10 - 7 ahead with about 5 minutes to go.
At the end of normal time Moseley were still 10-7 ahead and more than holding their own but second half injuries added some 10 minutes of injury time onto the game. Moseley picked up two yellow cards in those 10 minutes and of those the second one of those about 1 minute from time gifted Cinderford with a penalty try to put then 10 - 14 to the good.
Moseley struck straight back at Cinderford and scrapped for the ball like the devil possessed but the old heads of Cinderford held them out long enough to play for time, kick for touch and claim the prize.
Moseley played very well indeed and certainly didn’t deserve to lose the way they did. Without question the lads, to a man, can hold their heads up high and claim sound applause and appreciation for a game well played.
Well done and come on Moooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooose
There was some puzzling over the time of the final whistle. I made it 2nd half k.o. at 15:58 + 40 = 16:38 so with all the injuries a 10mins over seems right.
It was pleasing to see Mose improving in all areas of their game tackling distribution line out etc as the season has progressed
It was a pity the first half try effort was held up, but it was a fabulous tackle by Cinders to deny them. They are a tough experienced "gang" from the West Country and that push for their penalty try was well executed.
But for me the main outcome was the improvements in all over play of Mose as the season has progressed; we have scored some great tries during the season (prompt camerashake); the line out has settled; forward tackling and awareness has impressed.
To be honest low scoring games can be just as exciting as try fests and from what I heard most at The Zapaygo enjoyed the game.
So a repeat in the North East next week will see a tidy end to the season - if we can field a full squad!
Next season top 5 and beyond?
Get those season ticket renewals in fast - early funds into the coffers are a great help
Despite the score line it was a highly entertaining game and I echo the comments above in terms of how we, as a squad, have progressed in the latter part of the season (the Bishop Stortford game a blip). I still think we butchered too many line outs especially when we were in their 22. I don't remember Cinderford missing one of their line outs. One area we need to work on is game management. Having got the lead, in what was a very tight game, we should have closed it down. Hindsight is a wonderful thing but perhaps Ollie should have kept the ball rather than chip forward as we then lost the ball and we were then on the back foot.
With the injuries to the forwards mentioned above we could struggle with putting out an experienced eight for DMP.
I was standing on old stand side just by that first scrum of match? Ref awarded penalty to Moseley. Cinderford went early & drove up under our front row of which 2 immediately had to leave field not to return. Did anyone think that was a deliberate action to injure?
Well folks. I spoke to Ryan Roach after the match about it and he told me it was the highly experienced, former premiership, Cinderford prop who did the dameage. Having spoke to many a prop about getting away with 'the dark secrets' of forward play I certainly wouldn't rule it out. That aside Ryan was also optomistic that he will be ok for the last match on Saturday. We'll see.
