MATCH TO REMEMBER AS CRUCIAL LATE PENALTY SEALS A PULSATING MATCH
On a beautiful, sunny day the travelling Moseley faithful were treated to a ding dong of a match as Moseley secured their first ever win - and a bonus try win at that – against a very good Rams side. Moseley started the game with rarely seen determination and passion and even though they lost hooker Sam McNulty to an ankle injury after 2 minutes replacement Ashley Johnson stepped up to the Mark and completed an equally rare line-out catch and drive, unconverted try within 5 minutes. 0 - 5 to Moseley. Rams responded with equal determination and following a period of mid-field cut and thrust from both sides the Rams number 5 Connor Stapely made a clean break from the half way line. Good cover defence by Moseley pulled him down with just feet to go but hooker Max Hayman was on hand to keep the momentum and score a converted try in the corner. 7 - 5 to Rams. Game on. Both teams were playing some super rugby with some strong raids particularly by the Rams inside centre Connor Hayhow. A Moseley penalty for holding on gifted Rams a kick for the corner but Moseley held them out. Unfortunately Ollie Allsop conceded a deliberate knock-on penalty and a yellow card. A man down and under great pressure yet another Moseley penalty on 23 minutes gifted Rams a quick tap and go and a converted try by number 7 Tom Vooght in the opposite corner. That put the Ram’s 14 - 5 in front. It was the only score Moseley conceded whilst a man down. There was no let-up as Moseley, back up to strength took the game to Rams. Here, Greg Fisilau, playing at number seven often mesmerised the opposition with his deceptively balanced, slippery style and delicate off-loads and just before half time he broke clear to put Dan Lewis clear for an unconverted try. With the score 14-10 at half time it had been a thoroughly entertaining first half. Moseley had most certainly turned up to play and not to lie down. The Moseley line-out, confident and assured as the game progressed was an absolute revelation. Within 6 minutes of the second half Mason Tonks was on hand to finish a sweeping three quarters move and scored. Dan Lewis did the honour of adding the two points to put Moseley 14-17 in front. Moseley had the bit between their teeth now and although Rams were marginally better in the tight the Moseley back row, with a rampant Jacques Le Roux swatting his way forwards almost at will, were winning plenty of turnover ball in the loose. However, five minutes later a superb strong running line by the Rams centre Connor Hayhow sliced clean through the Moseley defence to score a converted try near the post making the score 21-17 to rams. Moseley fought back and after more strong raids by both sides Mason Tonks pounced yet again and with 12 minutes remaining intercepted a pass on the Moseley 5 yards line, left the defence in his wake and scored the bonus try under the posts. Dan Lewis converted it to put Moseley 21-24 in front. What excitement, what utter unexpected excitement. There was even a long Moooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooose…ley from somewhere in the centre of the Rams splendid new stand. Two minutes later Rams number 8 Robbie Stapley secured a penalty line-out catch and drive converted bonus try to put Rams 26-24 ahead. It was ding, dong stuff this was as Moseley forced a penalty at the breakdown and Dan Lewis struck a superb penalty from just inside the Rams half and in line with the post to put Moseley back into a 26-27 lead. For 7 long, tense minutes Moseley managed the game well protecting their slender lead until a free kick and the final whistle ended a thoroughly entertaining and evenly contested game. What a thrilling game it was for the deliriously happy Moseley faithful to take home.
