Birmingham Moseley boost to the backs
Jul 10, 2023 15:00:13 GMT
Steve@Mose, southernmose, and 1 more like this
Post by Phil on Jul 10, 2023 15:00:13 GMT
Director of Rugby, Adam Balding today confirmed the signing of four backline players to the 2023/4 squad.
Former University of Birmingham Fly Half Tighe Maxwell-Whiteley joins from Leeds Tykes, where he was leading points scorer for the 2022/23 season. Maxwell-Whiteley joined the Yorkshire outfit in 2021, following a spell in Canada with the University of British Columbia.
Tighe featured twice last season for Leeds against Birmingham Moseley, most notably in the 21-21 draw at Leeds where he kicked three penalties and the last-minute conversion that snatched victory away from the red and blacks. All is forgiven now as he has committed to the club for the coming season.
Tighe commented on his signing:
“Birmingham Moseley is a famous club with an impressive history and great fan base. I'd like to add to the history and hopefully leave a mark. I've really enjoyed my first few weeks of training with the club and the squad have been really welcoming. I'm excited for the upcoming season and developing myself further in a great environment. The squad has great potential and everyone, myself included, is looking forward to attacking the league and seeing where we can end up.”
Director of Rugby Adam Balding commented:
“Tighe joins us from Leeds Carnegie where he has been a consistent national 1 performer over the past 2 seasons at number 10, his ability to run a game and get his back line moving is something we remember well from when we played Leeds home and away last season. Equally comfortable both sides of the ball making Tighes addition to the squad really exciting, since joining us at the start of preseason you can already see that he is a good professional who is driving standards within the group. We all look forward to seeing him playing in Red and Black this coming season.”
A player who was on many supporters list of wished for re-signings was nineteen-year-old scrum half Freddie Painter. Coventry College product Freddie impressed on his first XV debut when he came off the bench against Taunton in December, scoring a long range try within six minutes. Freddie went on to score five tries in his nine appearances.
A livewire player, who featured for Moseley Oak during the first half of the season with the versatility to play in a number of shirts across the back line, he will benefit immensely from another season of National One rugby as he looks to perfect his all-round game.
Adam Balding commented:
“Freddie has an exciting season ahead whilst showcasing his ability after breaking into the first team squad during the season 2022-23 season, having come through the Coventry college rugby academy which is run by head coach Peter Glackin.
Freddie is another player to have transitioned into national league rugby. Having started the season playing for Moseley Oak under the guidance of Head Coach Dan Lavander it was not long before Freddie made the step up to national league one through being a consistent stand out performer for Moseley oak which highlights that clear playing pathway for young players within the club.
Freddie certainly showcased his speed of pass and electric pace with ball in hand not to mention his work rate and physical nature in defence, as a young man he has an exciting future ahead of him and we look forward to seeing him develop this coming season as a Birmingham Moseley first team player.”
A new signing for the current season, but not a new face to Birmingham Moseley followers, is scrum half Jack Jolly who has previously made sixteen appearances for the club. Jack signed for Birmingham Moseley originally for the 2019/20 season following the demise of his previous club Birmingham Solihull’s 1st XV team. Following his time at Billesley Common Jack moved to Broadstreet. He will bring a balance of experience to the number nine shirt to complement Freddie Painter’s youthful enthusiasm.
Adam Balding commented:
“Jack returns to us having previously stepped away due to personal circumstance, having been a consistent performer in a Birmingham Moseley shirt notably Caldy away where we won 24 – 0 (2021-22). Jack brings a wealth of experience and strong leadership qualities which will only benefit the squad and those younger players within the group, tactically smart and a fierce competitor this will naturally drive that competitive edge we are looking for.”
The fourth signing confirmed is the return for a third season of Andy Bulumakau, a player equally adept on the wing or in the centre. Fijian born Andy made twelve appearances last season, to add to the thirteen in 2021/22 when he signed from Coventry. Andy would have made many more appearances had injury not punctuated his season. He will be keen to bring his robust running game, and the experience of over 100 games at Championship level, to a more sustained sequence of appearances in 2023/24.
Adam Balding commented:
“Andy now enters his 3rd season with Birmingham Moseley, as one of the most gifted players with ball in hand and his ability to always beat the first defender is outstanding.
Retaining a player of Andy’s quality certainly offers something different as he is equally comfortable on the wing or at centre making him extremely versatile. He is an absolute pleasure to work with and like all involved with Birmingham Moseley having a fully fit Andy Bulumakau is very exciting for the season ahead.”
