Post by Phil on Jul 6, 2023 9:30:57 GMT
Director of Rugby, Adam Balding is delighted to announce the signing of two players with Premiership experience to bolster the front row.
Joining us from Nottingham is 26-year-old, 123 kg prop, Ben Betts. Ben has a wealth of experience to bring to the club.
Born in County Limerick in Ireland, Ben began his rugby career at The Estuary Club in Shanagolden in the province of Munster. Here he spent eight years with Young Munster.
Ben studied English and History at the University of Limerick where at the same time played rugby for Munster at Under 19 and Under 20 levels. His career then progressed to playing for Irish Under 18 Clubs and Ireland Under 19’s. He was in the Ireland Under 20’s squad that reached the World Junior Championship in Manchester in 2016.
Ben joined Leicester Tigers the same year. He made 5 appearances for The Tigers before signing for Ealing Trailfinders for the 2018/19 season. After making 11 appearances for Ealing he had loan spells at Chinnor in 2018 and Nottingham in 2019
Ahead of the 2020/2021 season Ben left Ealing and had a year off from rugby before signing for Nottingham on a permanent basis in March 2021.
Ben made a total of 51 appearances for Nottingham and was renowned for his aggressive tackling. As recently as January of this year he picked up the man of the match award for his tackling skills in the game against Caldy.
We very much look forward to seeing those performances on Billesley Common where with the strength we now have in the front row will make selection very competitive.
Ben Betts commented:
"The reason I wanted to join Birmingham Moseley was because they are a club with a lot of history over the years and my hopes for the coming season is that we can compete with the best teams right at the top of the table showcasing our talent."
The second of Adam’s major signings is prop Lewis Holsey.
Lewis was brought up locally in Sheldon and from the age of 6 to 16 played his mini and junior rugby at Birmingham Solihull Rugby Club.
His talent was recognised at the young age of 13 when he was selected for trials for Greater Birmingham. It was here that he was spotted by Worcester’s former Academy manager and he was invited to join the Worcester Development Pathway.
Lewis progressed to England Under 18 level and to the Worcester A side. A period of dual registration with Loughborough Students followed who were in National 1 at the time. After just 4 games he was offered the opportunity to join Championship side London Scottish for the 2019/2020 season, again on dual registration. It was here that he gained invaluable experience and confidence.
In the summer of 2021 Lewis made his first appearance in the England Under 20’s squad helping them to achieve the Grand Slam in the Six Nations Tournament.
Lewis then had a period on loan at Hartpury College, before the situation affecting Worcester Warriors brought this to an end. In October 2022 he was quickly picked up by Bedford Blues where he made 14 appearances.
Lewis’s career speaks for itself and we look forward to him adding his experience to the very impressive pack at Birmingham Moseley.
Lewis Holsey commented:
“I'm really pleased to be joining Birmingham Moseley and I'm excited to represent the club especially in their 150th year. I'm a local lad and I wanted to play regular rugby in a challenging league and the chance to be a part of a team striving for success was one I had to take. I've always heard great things about the club as a whole especially it's supporters and I can't wait to get stuck in.”
Director of Rugby, Adam Balding said:
“Ben Betts – Joining us directly from Nottingham Ben brings such a wealth of experience and knowledge around the set piece especially at the scrum which is such an attritional area in National 1 year in year out. As a consistent championship performer, his physical presence in the tight and added power game with ball in hand is really exciting. He will only benefit the team whilst continuing to raise the level of performance and competitive nature within the current front row. We are all looking forward to seeing Ben wearing red and black this season.
Lewis Holsey – A fantastic prospect who now joins us from Bedford, by being a local lad and wanting to play for Birmingham Moseley is an exciting opportunity for all involved. Signing a player of Lewis’s ability will only add real value to what we are wanting to achieve this year as a collective group, having previously overcome the challenges and sad events of Worcester shows the determination and drive of the young man, his powerful scrummaging and dynamic play with ball in hand will be a great addition to the front row.”
Joining us from Nottingham is 26-year-old, 123 kg prop, Ben Betts. Ben has a wealth of experience to bring to the club.
Born in County Limerick in Ireland, Ben began his rugby career at The Estuary Club in Shanagolden in the province of Munster. Here he spent eight years with Young Munster.
Ben studied English and History at the University of Limerick where at the same time played rugby for Munster at Under 19 and Under 20 levels. His career then progressed to playing for Irish Under 18 Clubs and Ireland Under 19’s. He was in the Ireland Under 20’s squad that reached the World Junior Championship in Manchester in 2016.
Ben joined Leicester Tigers the same year. He made 5 appearances for The Tigers before signing for Ealing Trailfinders for the 2018/19 season. After making 11 appearances for Ealing he had loan spells at Chinnor in 2018 and Nottingham in 2019
Ahead of the 2020/2021 season Ben left Ealing and had a year off from rugby before signing for Nottingham on a permanent basis in March 2021.
Ben made a total of 51 appearances for Nottingham and was renowned for his aggressive tackling. As recently as January of this year he picked up the man of the match award for his tackling skills in the game against Caldy.
We very much look forward to seeing those performances on Billesley Common where with the strength we now have in the front row will make selection very competitive.
Ben Betts commented:
"The reason I wanted to join Birmingham Moseley was because they are a club with a lot of history over the years and my hopes for the coming season is that we can compete with the best teams right at the top of the table showcasing our talent."
The second of Adam’s major signings is prop Lewis Holsey.
Lewis was brought up locally in Sheldon and from the age of 6 to 16 played his mini and junior rugby at Birmingham Solihull Rugby Club.
His talent was recognised at the young age of 13 when he was selected for trials for Greater Birmingham. It was here that he was spotted by Worcester’s former Academy manager and he was invited to join the Worcester Development Pathway.
Lewis progressed to England Under 18 level and to the Worcester A side. A period of dual registration with Loughborough Students followed who were in National 1 at the time. After just 4 games he was offered the opportunity to join Championship side London Scottish for the 2019/2020 season, again on dual registration. It was here that he gained invaluable experience and confidence.
In the summer of 2021 Lewis made his first appearance in the England Under 20’s squad helping them to achieve the Grand Slam in the Six Nations Tournament.
Lewis then had a period on loan at Hartpury College, before the situation affecting Worcester Warriors brought this to an end. In October 2022 he was quickly picked up by Bedford Blues where he made 14 appearances.
Lewis’s career speaks for itself and we look forward to him adding his experience to the very impressive pack at Birmingham Moseley.
Lewis Holsey commented:
“I'm really pleased to be joining Birmingham Moseley and I'm excited to represent the club especially in their 150th year. I'm a local lad and I wanted to play regular rugby in a challenging league and the chance to be a part of a team striving for success was one I had to take. I've always heard great things about the club as a whole especially it's supporters and I can't wait to get stuck in.”
Director of Rugby, Adam Balding said:
“Ben Betts – Joining us directly from Nottingham Ben brings such a wealth of experience and knowledge around the set piece especially at the scrum which is such an attritional area in National 1 year in year out. As a consistent championship performer, his physical presence in the tight and added power game with ball in hand is really exciting. He will only benefit the team whilst continuing to raise the level of performance and competitive nature within the current front row. We are all looking forward to seeing Ben wearing red and black this season.
Lewis Holsey – A fantastic prospect who now joins us from Bedford, by being a local lad and wanting to play for Birmingham Moseley is an exciting opportunity for all involved. Signing a player of Lewis’s ability will only add real value to what we are wanting to achieve this year as a collective group, having previously overcome the challenges and sad events of Worcester shows the determination and drive of the young man, his powerful scrummaging and dynamic play with ball in hand will be a great addition to the front row.”
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