Post by Communications Team on Apr 2, 2012 9:03:25 GMT
Moseley Oak Leek The Points
Moseley Oak were beaten 19-13 by Leek at Billesley Common, slumping from third to sixth in Midlands Two West North.
Not a good day at the office.
The line-out was poor – too few players at training meant the lifting didn’t work properly and consequently coordination wasn’t there.
It improved in the second half with a back to basics approach of hitting Clark Hands at the front.
Dan Pons had been down with the flu all week, missed several first half penalties and struggled with some of his line kicks.
And, against committed opponents, the support play wasn’t good enough.
Hands played well, Duncan White battled hard, full back Jonathan Perks was his normal reliable self, David Thompson had a decent game and captain Jack Richards put in plenty of defensive work.
Substitute Gareth Davies, out injured for most of the season, got an encouraging 40 minutes.
But overall it was a stuttering display.
Every time Moseley Oak looked as if they were building something they knocked on, gave away a silly penalty or took the wrong option.
With two games to go they are staggering towards the line, looking a tired team – two draws and a loss in the last three matches says it all.
There was plenty of effort in the first half but much of the play was sloppy.
Leek turned round 11-0 up with a pushover try from captain Jason Milner and two penalties from Jake Green.
Moseley Oak got a deserved talking to from coach John White at half time and things improved a bit.
Penalty exchanges brought the score to 6-14 before some rare concerted pressure from Moseley Oak got Dan Lavender in after good work by Antonio Solomon.
Pons’ conversion meant there was just a point in it.
Could Moseley Oak pinch it?
The answer was no when Lucas Buxton sneaked down the blindside for an easy 35 yard stroll to the line.
The conversion failed which at least left Moseley Oak with a losing bonus point.
But in truth they didn’t deserve the victory and Leek did.
Let’s hope the Easter break can revive mind and body.
Moseley Oak were beaten 19-13 by Leek at Billesley Common, slumping from third to sixth in Midlands Two West North.
Not a good day at the office.
The line-out was poor – too few players at training meant the lifting didn’t work properly and consequently coordination wasn’t there.
It improved in the second half with a back to basics approach of hitting Clark Hands at the front.
Dan Pons had been down with the flu all week, missed several first half penalties and struggled with some of his line kicks.
And, against committed opponents, the support play wasn’t good enough.
Hands played well, Duncan White battled hard, full back Jonathan Perks was his normal reliable self, David Thompson had a decent game and captain Jack Richards put in plenty of defensive work.
Substitute Gareth Davies, out injured for most of the season, got an encouraging 40 minutes.
But overall it was a stuttering display.
Every time Moseley Oak looked as if they were building something they knocked on, gave away a silly penalty or took the wrong option.
With two games to go they are staggering towards the line, looking a tired team – two draws and a loss in the last three matches says it all.
There was plenty of effort in the first half but much of the play was sloppy.
Leek turned round 11-0 up with a pushover try from captain Jason Milner and two penalties from Jake Green.
Moseley Oak got a deserved talking to from coach John White at half time and things improved a bit.
Penalty exchanges brought the score to 6-14 before some rare concerted pressure from Moseley Oak got Dan Lavender in after good work by Antonio Solomon.
Pons’ conversion meant there was just a point in it.
Could Moseley Oak pinch it?
The answer was no when Lucas Buxton sneaked down the blindside for an easy 35 yard stroll to the line.
The conversion failed which at least left Moseley Oak with a losing bonus point.
But in truth they didn’t deserve the victory and Leek did.
Let’s hope the Easter break can revive mind and body.
