Frustrating afternoon at the RAG. Tricky throwing into the line out and high balls were a nightmare to judge. First 20 mins Mose didn’t get into Richmond’s half, but slowly gained control. Half time in the lead but I’m 99.9% certain McNulty scored, touch judge apparently didn’t see if, but I did from the 22 on that side !! Second half, disaster when their kick off wasn’t gathered and they scored. Even then Mose scrum was on top and holding onto the ball was the way forward, but errors killed us again. Draw probably fair result but could have been so much better.
Before the game I would have taken a draw but we could and should have won. Wind was always going to be a feature but it was the same for both sides. As mentioned silly mistakes hurt us. Lots of passion and you can’t really fault the commitment. We will need to strengthen in a few positions for next season but I am sure the coaching staff have already worked this one out. We shouldn’t fear either Chinnor or Rams. The away fixture at Chinnor was tight and arguably a draw would have been a fairer result. Rams have come off the boil and losing to Plymouth has practically scuppered their promotion chances. Let’s get a huge crowd for both games.
According to todays Rugby Paper Moseley conceded 6 penalties with the first 10 minutes.
I just cannot understand how and why Moseley simply cannot get out of the habit of conceding penalties. Just think folks if an opposing team had nothing more than a good line defence AND an accurate, 60 yards plus goal kicker they wouldn't even have to enter the Moseley half to win games hand over fist.
And it isn't as if it's unusual, far from it. because Moseley conceded penalties 'per se' game after game and have done all season. I wonder if the problem is more than the sloppy lack of discipline? Might it even be an insuficient knowledge of the basic rules of playing rugby union? Or might it even be a less than subtle attempt to cheat? Whatever it is neither the Moseley coaches and / nor the players themselves appear to have any answers.
Any thoughts folks?
Last Edit: Apr 7, 2024 15:25:39 GMT by dag: spelling and grammar.
I think it’s a bit of an insult to suggest the players don’t know the laws ! These are players, a lot of whom have played a higher level than this. There’s the penalties that you concede when under constant pressure, which are sometimes unavoidable and sometimes necessary ! I do think it’s been a season of understanding the high tackle law, which we’ve fallen foul of more than a few times, which will hopefully be better next season. I’d be interested to know the average pens conceded throughout the season. Whatever that total is, if we cut that by even 10% next season, that could be another win or two. We also go hard at the breakdown and have conceded a few penalties in that area. All things considered, we’re equal 4th, so it’s not a bad season is it ?!
I’ve got to say that the support was phenomenal on the Moseley side.
According to todays Rugby Paper Moseley conceded 6 penalties with the first 10 minutes.
I just cannot understand how and why Moseley simply cannot get out of the habit of conceding penalties. Just think folks if an opposing team had nothing more than a good line defence AND an accurate, 60 yards plus goal kicker they wouldn't even have to enter the Moseley half to win games hand over fist.
And it isn't as if it's unusual, far from it. because Moseley conceded penalties 'per se' game after game and have done all season. I wonder if the problem is more than the sloppy lack of discipline? Might it even be an insuficient knowledge of the basic rules of playing rugby union? Or might it even be a less than subtle attempt to cheat? Whatever it is neither the Moseley coaches and / nor the players themselves appear to have any answers.
Despite the disappointment of two of the results in the last three games, games where Moseley were as near to being nilled as possible, I have a feeling that as with the early season - indeed also a number of times through this season - champagne style rugby will return to the Common for the last two matches against the top two teams in the league.
I feel that Rams - 8 points behind Chinnor - will be worried more than Chinnor if only because they need at least 9 points to overtake Chinnor and finish top and claim the top prize. But that is to assume that Chinnor lose both of their games. Next week Rams play Richmond at Richmond, whilst Chinnor play Moseley here on the Common. If Rams claim 5 points at Richmond and Chinnor lose with no bonus points at Moseley, the race will still be on. However, if and it is a big if for Chinnor, if they manage to secure a try bonus point AND a losing bonus point here at Moseley then Chinnor will finish top of the league and gain promotion.
I wouldn't even consider putting my childhood pocket money - a hard earned threepence - on a 100 to 1 bet that members of the Rams coaching team will not be joining the Moseley faithful supporters here at the common on Saturday, urging Moseley on to a big win.
Excited, certainly. Apprenhensive certainly not. So come on Moseley, play some of your champagne rugby - we loyal, Moseley faithful know you can - and show Chinnor and the watch Rams coaching team, just what you can do on your day and finish the season in a blaze of glory.
Come on Moooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooose
Last Edit: Apr 7, 2024 18:08:40 GMT by dag: spelling and grammar.
Any ideas on where we need to strengthen the squad next season ? I'm thinking we need more strength in depth in certain areas ie 678 and maybe second row
Despite the disappointment of two of the results in the last three games, games where Moseley were as near to being nilled as possible, I have a feeling that as with the early season - indeed also a number of times through this season - champagne style rugby will return to the Common for the last two matches against the top two teams in the league.
I feel that Rams - 8 points behind Chinnor - will be worried more than Chinnor if only because they need at least 9 points to overtake Chinnor and finish top and claim the top prize. But that is to assume that Chinnor lose both of their games. Next week Rams play Richmond at Richmond, whilst Chinnor play Moseley here on the Common. If Rams claim 5 points at Richmond and Chinnor lose with no bonus points at Moseley, the race will still be on. However, if and it is a big if for Chinnor, if they manage to secure a try bonus point AND a losing bonus point here at Moseley then Chinnor will finish top of the league and gain promotion.
I wouldn't even consider putting my childhood pocket money - a hard earned threepence - on a 100 to 1 bet that members of the Rams coaching team will not be joining the Moseley faithful supporters here at the common on Saturday, urging Moseley on to a big win.
Excited, certainly. Apprenhensive certainly not. So come on Moseley, play some of your champagne rugby - we loyal, Moseley faithful know you can - and show Chinnor and the watch Rams coaching team, just what you can do on your day and finish the season in a blaze of glory.
Come on Moooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooose
Phil, Rams play Richmond at home and it is highly unlikely that anyone from that club will be at The Common on Saturday.
What are the expectations of the club, in terms of the future ? Are they looking to get promoted and into the Championship - I doubt it as there are a few full-time clubs in there that we couldn't possibly compete with. Does the club get any financial reward for where they finish ? Again, I doubt it. So, whilst pride in club and team mates, from a performance perspective - you'd want to give the best account of yourself every week - does it matter if we're 3rd, 4th or 8th for example ? Aside from being more attractive to players if we're winning more than we're losing, is league position a factor ? Maybe some of this was mentioned at the Q&A........
Two interesting points for debate from bogs and banjo. Regarding bogs queerie re strengthening the squad next season ie 6, 7, 8. I would love to see Ollie Steadman stay for at the very least another season. He has really steered the ship well this season - even though he can be a tempetuous liability.
Overall I feel we have excellent cover all across the front row. I also feel that Moseley are reasonably well covered in the back row - even more so when Morgan Dawes is fully fit yet. Again although the 'second row' seems unusually vulnerable to injury could perhaps do with some additional weight and height. And at number 9 we have two excellent scrum halfs' - one a goal kicker so there is not a problem there - unless Feddie Painter wants more playing time with another club.
In feel the centre are well covered and with both Sam Pointon and Dan Brough able to cover full back, that is a bonus. However, I feel another line- breaker, someone like Barry Corliss of yore would not go amiss. I know we have Ollie Allsopp 'The Glue' who holds the three-quarters together, as one coach recently told me and can play at number 10, but he could be a vulnerable target for a big spending club. My own selfish view is that I hope he will not be tempted to move.
Out wide on the wings, with Aquille Smith the resident ace fighter pilot we have a number of excellent support options so I do not feel too concerned there.
Without doubt I feel that we do need a good, defending yet also creative number 10 - someone like Mike Perry of yore would be ideal and preferably someone with a reliable boot like Sam Doble, or Andy Binns, even Martin Cooper of yore who could regularly line kick from one 5 yard line to the opposite 5 yard line. I know Ollie Allsopp can play at 10 and is an excellent line-kicker, but he is primarily a centre.
Other than that if all else fails I could rescue my old boots from my loft.
Come on Moooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooose
