Post by Communications Team on Oct 26, 2021 14:20:34 GMT
by Glyn Barlow
This weekend Birmingham Moseley make a trip down the M5 to take on new opponents Taunton Titans.
Taunton rugby club can trace its history back almost as far as Moseley being founded in 1875. Since the turn of the Millennium Taunton have made steady progress from (level 7) Western Counties league, entering the National Leagues in 2009. At the first time of asking the team took the top spot in National 3 South West, spring boarding them into National 2 South.
Promotion to National One came in 2020. At the point where the season was stopped Taunton topped the league having won 20 of their 25 games, picking up an impressive seventeen try bonus points along the way, indicating a team with an attacking mind-set.
This season long term coach Tony Yapp has set his store in many of the team that landed promotion and has been able to supplement the squad with a dual registration agreement with Bristol Bear for Ireland U20 full back Chay Mullins and second row Charlie Rice along with loan players scrum half Sam Maunder and fly half Jack Walsh form Exeter.
Promotion to National One certainly hasn’t left the team overawed as they currently sit just four places behind Birmingham Moseley in ninth place. Their season could not have got off to a better start when they travelled to last week’s opponents Leeds Tykes and secured a comprehensive 29-41 victory. To prove this was no fluke they again travelled away the next weekend on a long haul up to Darlington Mowden Park where they won 32-38. Two away wins and nine tries, this National One league isn’t too challenging. Unfortunately the bubble was burst the following weekend when Rosslyn Park visited Veritas Park and beat the West Country team 14-40.
Taunton then ran Bishop’s Stortford very close 26-22, before a significant 18-17 home win over second placed Rams. Sale FC away reminded the Titans how unforgiving the league can be with a 53-28 score line, although they did still manage a bonus point for scoring four tries, a trait they seem to have bought with them from National Two days. An enforced break occurred due to the absence of Old Elthamians before they took on league leaders Cinderford in the Forest of Dean, almost achieving a real upset before going down 26-21.
While Taunton were giving the Foresters a fright Birmingham Moseley were returning to winning ways with a 33-32 victory over Leeds Tykes. Clearly wanting to keep home supporters on the edge of their seats the team waited until the 78th minute before scoring the deciding try, a fantastic move from their own half saw Aquile Smith leave defenders floundering in his wake.
Aquile’s try capped some impressive attacking rugby that saw fellow wings Mason Tonks and Sam Pointon also securing five pointers along with Jack Combes claiming a real scrum half sniping score from the base of a ruck.
While credit should be given to Leeds commitment and endeavour the team will recognise there are areas to improve this week in terms of defensive organisation and tactical kicking. The team is still relatively new, and a work in progress, but the signs are there that they are moving forward. Let’s hope Saturday sees the next step.
This weekend Birmingham Moseley make a trip down the M5 to take on new opponents Taunton Titans.
Taunton rugby club can trace its history back almost as far as Moseley being founded in 1875. Since the turn of the Millennium Taunton have made steady progress from (level 7) Western Counties league, entering the National Leagues in 2009. At the first time of asking the team took the top spot in National 3 South West, spring boarding them into National 2 South.
Promotion to National One came in 2020. At the point where the season was stopped Taunton topped the league having won 20 of their 25 games, picking up an impressive seventeen try bonus points along the way, indicating a team with an attacking mind-set.
This season long term coach Tony Yapp has set his store in many of the team that landed promotion and has been able to supplement the squad with a dual registration agreement with Bristol Bear for Ireland U20 full back Chay Mullins and second row Charlie Rice along with loan players scrum half Sam Maunder and fly half Jack Walsh form Exeter.
Promotion to National One certainly hasn’t left the team overawed as they currently sit just four places behind Birmingham Moseley in ninth place. Their season could not have got off to a better start when they travelled to last week’s opponents Leeds Tykes and secured a comprehensive 29-41 victory. To prove this was no fluke they again travelled away the next weekend on a long haul up to Darlington Mowden Park where they won 32-38. Two away wins and nine tries, this National One league isn’t too challenging. Unfortunately the bubble was burst the following weekend when Rosslyn Park visited Veritas Park and beat the West Country team 14-40.
Taunton then ran Bishop’s Stortford very close 26-22, before a significant 18-17 home win over second placed Rams. Sale FC away reminded the Titans how unforgiving the league can be with a 53-28 score line, although they did still manage a bonus point for scoring four tries, a trait they seem to have bought with them from National Two days. An enforced break occurred due to the absence of Old Elthamians before they took on league leaders Cinderford in the Forest of Dean, almost achieving a real upset before going down 26-21.
While Taunton were giving the Foresters a fright Birmingham Moseley were returning to winning ways with a 33-32 victory over Leeds Tykes. Clearly wanting to keep home supporters on the edge of their seats the team waited until the 78th minute before scoring the deciding try, a fantastic move from their own half saw Aquile Smith leave defenders floundering in his wake.
Aquile’s try capped some impressive attacking rugby that saw fellow wings Mason Tonks and Sam Pointon also securing five pointers along with Jack Combes claiming a real scrum half sniping score from the base of a ruck.
While credit should be given to Leeds commitment and endeavour the team will recognise there are areas to improve this week in terms of defensive organisation and tactical kicking. The team is still relatively new, and a work in progress, but the signs are there that they are moving forward. Let’s hope Saturday sees the next step.
