Just like the recent Lions test matches penalties, some of them silly, repeat penalties, were the Moseley downfall today. And any team conceding penalties against a well drilled, pack of forwards, such as Cinderford will be forever trying to catch up lost ground.
Ok, Cinderford can claim the bragging rights over Moseley again - and they will - but Moseley do have the nucleus of a good side and when they get fitter, particularly up front - and they will - and get their line-out catch and drive working - and they will - and they gel together as a team - and they will - they will be a force to contend with.
Come on Mooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooose
Earlier comments mention fitness level status. Having read about other Nat 1 teams having more pre season friendly games could it be considered that lack of full-on games has had an effect on reaching fuller fitness or should the Coaches be pleased with progress of the 30 or so players in the 2 Cinders' games with now a full 14 days fitness, stamina and tactical preparation ahead before the big kick-off? (I recognise that the game v Cov was called off).
We need to be ready, really ready for these 2 upcoming home games as after all we have 2 less games over the season with OE gone
I'll give us 5 points over the 2 games - Mowlem, Club.
I know that Moseley have not got a good record against both Darlington and Blackheath - or any promoted side to National 1 of late - and whilst 5 points would be better than none grooveavenue, I feel the lads should set their sights just a little higher than 5 and aim for 8 points, preferably with no losing bonus points for the opposition.
Can it be done? Yes, I feel it can be done grooveavenue, after all they gave a half decent account of themselves in both Cinderford 'practice' games in terms of both attack and certainly defence. And yesterday at least 4 penalties - 2 for rolling forwards when grounded, at least another 2 for not releasing in the tackle, plus one more where a knock-on was changed to a penalty - all inside the Cinderford 25 yard area - cost them dearly.
Playing contested rugby is always the best form of achieving match fitness, that is without question, no matter how many hours of gym and road work the players put in. If my information is correct Cinderford have an established, well knitted squad - with lots of nous, particularly up front - brought up from National 2 and that is a very distinct advantage for any team.
Our Moseley squad, by contrast, is new and still getting to know each other - but it will happen, I feel sure. Trust in them and support them as they gel together into a formidable force to be reckoned with - Captain Mannering, Dads Army.
I noticed yesterday from high in the Cinderford stand that Cinderford played very flat, bordering on off-side at the kick off but particularly so at the line-out. I also felt that some of their line-out catch and drive formation bordered on blocking, just like the South African team. Subtle but effective and often out of sight of the referee. But, as mentioned earlier, that is nous and nous is learned through experience and plenty of game time.
With the full support of the loyal Moseley supporters, the mission the squad are soon to embark on will unquestionably be difficult but through continued perseverance and determination it WILL become mission accomplished.
So, will YOU be there to support me all the way with,
Come on Moooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooose
My pristine season ticket card awaits collection pre Mowlem, our forwards await with detail of their job to be pristinely completed, our backs will will have practised to prestine preciseness the road to the line,..get my drift?!
Yes, rather like predecessors, Adam et al are having to start anew with an unfamiliar squad as 19-20 so theres going to have to be a learning curve but that doesnt change the need for max. performance 4/11.9!
Mowlem of course is my "favourite"builder now owned by Carillion...who may not be any bodies fave. Mowden rhyming with cow....just shows I'd have thought it rhymed with toe...thats NE England for you - I always get it wrong!
We'll not be getting anything wrong on 4.9, that's all I know!!
Couldn’t make the match yesterday - were there as many trialists as there seemed to be at our previous match against Cinderford? Do we anticipate more signings to be announced before September 4th?
