As was to be expected, this was a much tougher run-out than last week. The relayed pitch looks pretty good.
Mose played up the hill into the wind in the first half. Lots of good handling and some decent line breaks, although one knock-on cost a converted try. The line out was a shocker all half - 25% success rate would be generous. At the turnaround (2 × 40 minute halves), Mose were 7-12 behind.
Mose came out of the blocks quickly in tye second half with 3 quite quick converted tries. For the rest of the game, there were plenty of turnovers for both teams and the high tackle penalty count for both sides increased as the players tired. At least the Mose line out functioned much better in the second period. Mose finished with 14 players after receiving a yellow card. I didn't see what happened but it seems a penalty was awarded to Mose and then reversed.
DMP scored two unconverted tries to complete the scoring.
It's too early to draw conclusions, but there were encouraging signs both in attack and defence. That said, we were more or less on a par with DMP in the league last season, so a 4 point margin of victory doesn't point to progress in leaps and bounds. Early days though.
Sounds a hell of a lot more encouraging than England’s performance yesterday! Greatly looking forward to a positive season building on last year’s successes. The match against Coventry will be a great test - let’s hope we can address the issues identified yesterday. Come on Mose!!
Ryan and Akron Rayworth-Brooks. When I spoke to him last week, Sam was expecting to be fit for Cov, as was Isaac.
No 20, Tadgh Murtagh has looked good at Scrum Half in both pre-season friendlies when he has come on, would be pleased if we get him to sign up. Ex-UCD, he now works in Birmingham and would be a good get, although I appreciate there are other areas which might be better to strenghten.
