Post by Communications Team on Apr 7, 2013 5:19:21 GMT
Moseley Oak disappoint
Moseley Oak suffered a setback to their promotion hopes after going down 32-14 away to Leek.
There were good things – the tight scrum was solid, the line-out went well, the backs looked sharp and there was no lack of effort.
But key players under-performed, opportunities went begging and discipline became ragged.
In the end there was no denying that Leek deserved their victory.
It all began so brightly in ideal conditions for running rugby – a flat and firm pitch, not a breath of wind and pleasant spring sunshine.
For twenty minutes Moseley Oak dominated, scoring two terrific tries through Charles Meddick and Antonio Solomon – both converted by Dan Pons – on each occasion stretching Leek across the park and back again.
There were then big chances to score more, with Moseley Oak attackers twice just kept out at the corner when more determination might have got them over the line.
And that proved crucial because a third strike might just have knocked the stuffing out of a stunned home team.
Instead, Leek, always difficult to beat and very together as a squad, clawed their way back.
A Jake Green penalty got them on the board and then Luke Harden was manoeuvred over in a rolling maul.
Leek then scored an excellent try by Sakonaia Narawa as Moseley Oak were turned outside then in. A Green penalty made it 18-14 at half time and all to play for.
But then a disastrous defensive mix-up at the start of the second period gifted Leek seven points as George Hunt took advantage – what proved a body blow.
Moseley kept carving out openings but either couldn’t take them or picked wrong options.
Instead Leek got a fourth try and the bonus point through Luke Staton.
Now chasing the game and forced to risk running from deep in defence as the clock ticked down, Moseley Oak’s error count rose, putting paid to any hope of a recovery. Leek easily saw out the final quarter and were perhaps unlucky not to extend their lead.
It leaves Moseley Oak with a battle on their hands to win their final three games against Aston Old Edwardians at Billesley Common, Bridgnorth away and then leaders Silhillians at home. A play-off place is looking like the best that can be achieved.
Time for the team to get the reverse out of their system, re-commit to each other, and put everything they have into the run-in
Moseley Oak suffered a setback to their promotion hopes after going down 32-14 away to Leek.
There were good things – the tight scrum was solid, the line-out went well, the backs looked sharp and there was no lack of effort.
But key players under-performed, opportunities went begging and discipline became ragged.
In the end there was no denying that Leek deserved their victory.
It all began so brightly in ideal conditions for running rugby – a flat and firm pitch, not a breath of wind and pleasant spring sunshine.
For twenty minutes Moseley Oak dominated, scoring two terrific tries through Charles Meddick and Antonio Solomon – both converted by Dan Pons – on each occasion stretching Leek across the park and back again.
There were then big chances to score more, with Moseley Oak attackers twice just kept out at the corner when more determination might have got them over the line.
And that proved crucial because a third strike might just have knocked the stuffing out of a stunned home team.
Instead, Leek, always difficult to beat and very together as a squad, clawed their way back.
A Jake Green penalty got them on the board and then Luke Harden was manoeuvred over in a rolling maul.
Leek then scored an excellent try by Sakonaia Narawa as Moseley Oak were turned outside then in. A Green penalty made it 18-14 at half time and all to play for.
But then a disastrous defensive mix-up at the start of the second period gifted Leek seven points as George Hunt took advantage – what proved a body blow.
Moseley kept carving out openings but either couldn’t take them or picked wrong options.
Instead Leek got a fourth try and the bonus point through Luke Staton.
Now chasing the game and forced to risk running from deep in defence as the clock ticked down, Moseley Oak’s error count rose, putting paid to any hope of a recovery. Leek easily saw out the final quarter and were perhaps unlucky not to extend their lead.
It leaves Moseley Oak with a battle on their hands to win their final three games against Aston Old Edwardians at Billesley Common, Bridgnorth away and then leaders Silhillians at home. A play-off place is looking like the best that can be achieved.
Time for the team to get the reverse out of their system, re-commit to each other, and put everything they have into the run-in
