Post by Communications Team on Feb 22, 2012 5:16:39 GMT
Shrewsbury 21-28 Moseley Oak - 18/2/12
Moseley Oak Dig For Victory
Moseley Oak never fired but still managed to win away to bottom club Shrewsbury 28-22.
That jumped them a position in Midlands West North Two to fourth, one point off third.
And with five home games and just two away to follow the club is looking to produce a finish of note.
However it was a struggle at Shrewsbury, one of those teams who within the last five years had a strong side, still have a fantastic clubhouse and ground, but, for whatever reason, have slipped back.
Moseley Oak appeared to think it was going to be easy, after three weeks out following hard frosts the side was rusty, it was also missing its best back row forwards, but there was still no excuse for the sloppy display.
There was no focus and a clear lack of fitness on the back of too many absentees from training.
But they say a good side digs out victory however poor the performance … and so it was with Moseley Oak.
Looking lackadaisical from the kick-off, and playing for the most part as individuals, Moseley Oak nevertheless managed to go 20-0 up at the 35 minute mark.
First, second row Duncan White, probably man of the match, stood off a breakdown in the Shrewsbury 22, took a pass off the fly half, smashed between two defenders, offloaded, and centre Matt Durber walked in.
Dan Pons converted for 7-0.
Two Pons penalties took it to 13-0 before a mazy run from winger Antonio Soloman bamboozled the Shrewsbury defence for a wander under the posts.
Pons conversion made it 20-0.
It appeared a stroll in the park despite lazy Moseley Oak play and a host of knock-ons and turnovers.
The prospect was 50-0 and five points in the bag.
Think again.
First, really poor Moseley Oak defence allowed No. 8 James Plant in, with Matt Morris adding the extras.
Right before half-time, not good.
A failure to commit enough players to the rucks, plus Shrewsbury’s ability to pick-pocket Moseley Oak driving mauls, coupled with some dismal tackling, allowed the home team further into it at the start of the second period.
First centre Monty Maule tickled his way through then Simon Evitts put the Shrews 3-2 ahead on try count and just one point adrift.
Once Moseley Oak would have wilted, but these days are made of sterner stuff.
They played most of the remaining 20 minutes in the Shrewsbury half, with Pons notching another penalty and then White bulldozing over for a much-needed score.
With seven minutes left Moseley had the opportunity to push on, get one more try and secure a bonus point.
It wasn’t to be.
Instead a gutsy, hard-working and proud Shrewsbury had the last laugh, managing a penalty and their own bonus point ahead of the final whistle blowing.
It was probably deserved.
Overall, the upside was excellent wing forward play by Luke Hickey, determined thrusts by centre Durber, and 45 minutes injury free after a year and a half out from French No.10 Pierre Meunier.
Moseley Oak know they need to do better.
Moseley Oak Dig For Victory
Moseley Oak never fired but still managed to win away to bottom club Shrewsbury 28-22.
That jumped them a position in Midlands West North Two to fourth, one point off third.
And with five home games and just two away to follow the club is looking to produce a finish of note.
However it was a struggle at Shrewsbury, one of those teams who within the last five years had a strong side, still have a fantastic clubhouse and ground, but, for whatever reason, have slipped back.
Moseley Oak appeared to think it was going to be easy, after three weeks out following hard frosts the side was rusty, it was also missing its best back row forwards, but there was still no excuse for the sloppy display.
There was no focus and a clear lack of fitness on the back of too many absentees from training.
But they say a good side digs out victory however poor the performance … and so it was with Moseley Oak.
Looking lackadaisical from the kick-off, and playing for the most part as individuals, Moseley Oak nevertheless managed to go 20-0 up at the 35 minute mark.
First, second row Duncan White, probably man of the match, stood off a breakdown in the Shrewsbury 22, took a pass off the fly half, smashed between two defenders, offloaded, and centre Matt Durber walked in.
Dan Pons converted for 7-0.
Two Pons penalties took it to 13-0 before a mazy run from winger Antonio Soloman bamboozled the Shrewsbury defence for a wander under the posts.
Pons conversion made it 20-0.
It appeared a stroll in the park despite lazy Moseley Oak play and a host of knock-ons and turnovers.
The prospect was 50-0 and five points in the bag.
Think again.
First, really poor Moseley Oak defence allowed No. 8 James Plant in, with Matt Morris adding the extras.
Right before half-time, not good.
A failure to commit enough players to the rucks, plus Shrewsbury’s ability to pick-pocket Moseley Oak driving mauls, coupled with some dismal tackling, allowed the home team further into it at the start of the second period.
First centre Monty Maule tickled his way through then Simon Evitts put the Shrews 3-2 ahead on try count and just one point adrift.
Once Moseley Oak would have wilted, but these days are made of sterner stuff.
They played most of the remaining 20 minutes in the Shrewsbury half, with Pons notching another penalty and then White bulldozing over for a much-needed score.
With seven minutes left Moseley had the opportunity to push on, get one more try and secure a bonus point.
It wasn’t to be.
Instead a gutsy, hard-working and proud Shrewsbury had the last laugh, managing a penalty and their own bonus point ahead of the final whistle blowing.
It was probably deserved.
Overall, the upside was excellent wing forward play by Luke Hickey, determined thrusts by centre Durber, and 45 minutes injury free after a year and a half out from French No.10 Pierre Meunier.
Moseley Oak know they need to do better.