Aberavon 40 - Moseley 26

[cardiffmose]

In places I thought the team looked very good today. We had a good first half and went in at half time the better side and in the lead. As is the nature of games such as this the team in the second half was very different and we let in slip. Aberavon looked very strong and fit and scored several tries very quickly, that pretty much put the game beyond us. I would have liked to see us run the ball back a little more and the lineout looked very shaky for most of the game. Scrum looked strong and it was heartening to see the pack driving through the Aberavon forwards. What lost us the game was a series of mistakes: handling errors mainly, missed passes and an inability to hold onto the ball from the set piece; particularly the line out. Aberavon seemed powerful and brought on some slick backs in the second half. A good game of rugby all in all and very entertaining, plenty of points scored. The score doesn't really tell the whole story.

[lboromose]

Thank you Cardiffmose it is good to get your report. Is it possible to list the team? Were there any players used that are not listed in the current squad?

[Communications Team]

Posted on behalf of Phil Hall:

Aberavon v Moseley
20th August 2011

Has anyone notice that the Sunday Mercury today Brian Dick did not have a single word to say about Moseley?

Most certainly there was a large centre spread about Birmingham Solihull - goodness gracious me, how could there not be - with lesser coverage of both Coventry and Stourbridge, but not even a passing comment about Moseley. So, in the absence of an unbiased, even handed media report here are my reflections on the Aberavon v Moseley friendly yesterday.

Pam and I went to the Aberavon game yesterday full of expectation of a NEW MOSELEY and a NEW BEGINNING under our new coaches Maggsy and Westy. To some extent both were true. However, to some extent the old was also present. Let me start with the positives.

I had been informed that the players were in the best physical shape – particularly for the start of a season – and, with the odd exception, that appeared to be so. However, as the game progressed I rather suspect there were one or two here and there who were puffing and blowing – but it was the first truly “competitive game” of the season, albeit a friendly against a good welsh team. Indeed, a game against any Welsh team is never other than competitive – especially when an English team is the opposition.

Moseley opened in confident mood and there was a free flowing style not seen since my days playing for the Vandals when I left many a fat, lumbering, lardy prop clutching fresh air.

The lads ran with purpose, they supported well and they created many opportunities.

There were chip through a plenty, cross kicks too keep wingers more than happy, and the odd grubber kick, much more than I have seen for many, many a seasons, - Oh! Such joy, memories of Neil Fox of Wakefield trinity yore spring to mind. The rucking was most effective and the driving mauls were impressive.

The Wizards – Aberavon – were a little more composed in the scrum where our tight head had some problems, although that improved as the game progressed - particularly in the second half, more about that later.

In my view our entire back row played extremely well constantly hitting rucks with great effect and securing good ball in the process. I also recall us winning a good portion of turn-over ball. Their combined effectiveness was duly rewarded with a well worked try from a driving maul after 20 minutes or so.

On this example – against a decent first half opposition – more about the second half later - the Moseley driving maul looked to be a potent attacking weapon.

I thought he line out performed reasonably well – it seemed much simpler than of old – and secured some good ball including some opposition ball which bodes well.

However, our new hooker, a big lad, - sorry don’t know who you were – miscued a couple of times which lost the advantage at important times. Perhaps it was the pressure to perform but it is early days.

The backs played their part and the combination of Rea and Adams, particularly, along with the left wing – I’m sorry I don’t know who it was but he persisted for a good try in the first half - formed an exciting proposition for the coming season. Jack was at his old best.

A lovely break and a flip out to left winger – who also did his bit - produced a lovely try. Another bit of Adams guile produced another try when he chipped through and collected over the line. Rea was an inspiration in defence and clattered the midfield regularly with crushing, effective and disruptive tackles.

He had the confident to leave his line of defence, take out his intended target and still return to his defensive position. Well done lad.

I feel overall the refereeing was ok although he made a couple of poor decisions. One, when Moseley had the initial advantage. The ball was whipped down the backs, our right winger was clear but the referee blew up because of a Welsh high tackle - in midfield - against a Moseley player.

What happened to the advantage rule? That was 7 certain points lost. Correct me if I am not mistaken, but is there not a rule that the referee could have played the penalty after the try was claimed?

Moseley looked comfortable. They were not dominant but I thought they were in control. In the main the individual tackling was good – except when our full back cocked up a two on one and let the Welsh right winger step inside him. Running outside the full back is one thing but to step inside was a little naive. That was 7 soft points given away.

There were many impressive forward drives and they linked well with the backs to good effect. Thommo had a good game at 10 combining line kicking and ball distribution well. If only you would seek to put another 10 yards on your line kicks Thommo - and you CAN do it, without the shadow of the doubt – then you would be an even better player.

Moseley finished up at half time leading 14 – 19 and looking confident and assured. They were more than a little unlucky to be only 5 points to the good and I sensed that the game plan, overall, was going well.

Aberavon, by contrast, seemed rather anxious and - even during the game - frequently looked skyward for direction and instructions from their coaching team - who seemed to be perched with a clear overall panoramic advantage on the stand rooftop vantage point. They were clearly rattled and one suspected there would be a few choice words of advice given over half time

Moseley, as expected, made a number of changes at half time, as did Aberavon. Adams stayed on - I think he played the whole game – but Rea stood down, at least for some of the half. Adam Caves came on as did Carter at full back and one or two others whom I did not recognise.

The changes to both sides were apparent and immediate. Aberavon came out all cylinders firing. The thrust of their changes seemed to have been up front and midfield and the tempo of their game increased considerably.

They were more direct. They were recycling the ball quicker, they created space, they ran some excellent lines bringing their full back into the game. I suspect there first half team was primarily a second string whist the second half team was their first choice team – and the difference showed.

None-the-less, Moseley had been showing more than their normal share of enterprise during the first half and I expected them to whether the storm - as it were – and continue to prove the point. Alas it was not to be and that was when the OLD MOSELEY – being pulled out of shape - began to re-appear.

For most of the second half Moseley were under pressure, in the tight, in the loose and out wide – particularly down the left wing. They were not in control. Aberavon were and they were calling the tune. Moseley were having to play a defensive game and as a result frequently lost shape. This left acres of space out wide which Aberavon took advantage of scoring 4 impressive tries without return.

With 15 minutes or so to go Aberavon were running riot and Moseley were in deep trouble.

And then, surprisingly, the Moseley scrum began to dominate in the tight. Cracks appeared in the Aberavon scrum as it was wheeled and driven back almost at will.

Their front row began to stand up under pressure and I felt that a penalty try was on the cards. An even more impressive sustained period of pick and drive by the Moseley forwards forced Aberavon to panic and draw in their defence and Moseley strolled over with an easy score under the post. But it was too late. Aberavon won the second half 26 - 7 and the match 40 – 26.

Overall, there were more positives in the game than there were negatives and although Moseley lost by 6 tries to 4 (that would have been a try bonus in a league game) they can take much encouragement from the fact that they gave a good side a very stern testing. Come on Mooooooooooooooooooo

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooose.

[Communications Team]

Phil - hope the above appears as you would wish?

Just to let you know that BD (Post & Mercury) is on hols at present and those articles will have been filed before he left. Moseley had the full treatment the previous week and BD has confirmed he will be at our Media Afternoon/Evening a week on Tuesday - so imagine that will produce some further copy.

[welshexile1963]

Excellent report Phil and agree there were more positives than negatives and it was a good hard game to get them ready for the season, come on Mose!!!!

[newby]

Hi there, from the report it sounds like there was definitely some positives to take from the game. Would it be possible for the coaches to say who scored the tries so we know who to look out for this season?

[philhall]

Thank you comms team. Where there is a will there will always be a way. It will encourage me to write more reports. Perhaps I should take notes rather than rely upon memory. come on Mooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooose.

[Steve@Mose]

The Aberavon match report.

[welshexile1963]

Aug 22, 2011 11:48:51 GMT philhall said:

Thank you comms team. Where there is a will there will always be a way. It will encourage me to write more reports. Perhaps I should take notes rather than rely upon memory. come on Mooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooose.

LEY!!!

[MCGB]

Can anyone give us the names of the Moseley team that played on Sat?
All I have worked out so far is that Ollie and Jack Adams played, but that still leaves a minimum of 13 others to find.

[gary]

Many thanks Phil - wonderful report.

Always interesting to get the supporters view on games.

I never saw Phil play but clearly from his own description of his prowess he fell just short of international recognition!

Clearly no-one knew the exact makeup of last weeks team(s). This was hardly fair on those who made the long trip to support the team and I hope that what I hope was an oversight can be rectified by management for the rest of the season.

[Communications Team]

Starting team against Aberavon was –
(Edited to add the scorers)

1.       Craig Voisey
2.       Greg Sammons ...............1 x Try
3.       Colin Quigley
4.       Mathew Dew
5.       Dan Sanderson
6.       Mike Maltman
7.       Mathew Lowcock
8.       Mike Ellery
9.       Gareth Taylor
10.   Olly Thomas ....................3 x Conversions
11.   Jamie Hearn ...................2 x Tries
12.   Andy Reay
13.   Jack Adams .....................1 x Try
14.   Mike Gillick
15.   Brad Hunt

Replacements were
16.   Anthony O’Donnell
17.   Adam Caves
18.   Marshall Gadd
19.   Paul Spivey
20.   Ben Pons
21.   Sam Brown
22.   Billy Robinson
23.   Anthony Carter
24.   Steve Smith
25.   Richard Protherough
26.   Charley Thomas
27.   Brad Davies

A number of trialists were included - hence some names not featured in the confirmed squad to date.

[michaeljacks231]

Does anyone know when the offical Moseley Rugby website is going to be updated. It's hard to keep up with the changes as everything seems to be last season still.

Also, could we get a list of the players who played in the Aberavon match. (As mentioned above would be nice to put names to faces!)

[michaeljacks231]

Thanks Communication Team!

[kingsheathlad]

I have not heard of Matthew Dew at no.5. Is he a trialist at the moment.

[shaky]

Must be this lad,I suspect - (see para 3)
www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Hall-Old-Reds/story-11245982-detail/story.html

[martingreaves]

If you have signed Matt Dew, it's one hell of a coo, how he has slipped under the radar of prem clubs I don't know. Hard as nails and a work rate that is outstanding, straight out of the Richard Stott mould, when he was a youngster down here at Gloucester.

[kingsheathlad]

Cheers Shaky and Martin Greaves for update on this player. Sounds a good prospect. Fingers crossed we can sign him.

[johnnie1958]

did i read some where that the welsh rfu try and not let league games clash with welsh internalalions if so it might be a good idea if moseley could have their home games when england are playing at a differant time either before or after and we might get bigger gates its just an idea for the 6 nations

[James Hopkins]

would have been a good idea for tmw let alone the 6 nations