Sat 18th (Team News added) - Moseley v Bedford

[Communications Team]

Moseley aims to even the score in entertaining fashion
For immediate release Wednesday 15th February 2012
Issued on behalf of Moseley Rugby
RFU Championship

Moseley v Bedford Blues
Saturday 18th February, 3.00pm kick off at Billesley Common B13


Moseley welcomes Bedford Blues to Billesley Common this Saturday for what will be the last home game of the regular Championship season. Moseley’s last game will be away at Cornish Pirates on 25th February.

Moseley has had the unenviable task of taking on the top three teams in the league in consecutive matches to complete the ‘regular’ season but Maggsy’s team will want to finish at home with a win against the Blues as the play offs are destined to be a close affair and points carried forward will have a significant effect on relegation.

In the reciprocal fixture at Goldington Rd in the autumn, Bedford came away with the spoils in a match that was closer than the score line suggested. Two bonus points was only a try away.

The Bedford game will give the opportunity for the home supporters to have a first sight of Maggsy’s signings to bolster the team for the play offs. Anders Mogenson a pacey winger dual registered with Northampton Saints and James Tyas a back rower on loan from Bath both had game time down in Bristol and will be in contention to make their debut at Billesley Common.

This fixture always produces a feast of running rugby and with an improvement in the weather it promises to be an open and thrilling game.

****ENDS****

[studleyken]

It looks like it could be a thrilling game if the team fights like it has been of late and they can get the line out sorted. Lets get right behind them and make ourselves heard.
Come on you Moooose.

[welshexile1963]

I am praying for a win!!

[Westcountry Mose]

I'm coming up from deepest Devon to cheer on the lads. Send me back happy again please!

On the 'local' news front, one of the Albion players (centre) has been given an 18 week ban for a dangerous tackle against L Scottish. Keep it within legal limits on Saturday please, we need all 15 (22) to get a result.

[kingsheathlad]

Looking forward to the Bedford game, they are one of the more attractive running sides in this league, and the weather looks as though it will be ok , at least not freezing.
It will good to see the new signings/ loanees Saturday.Lets have a feast of rugby and a Mose win.

[Communications Team]

Big match Preview now available on the club website


www.moseleyrugby.co.uk/report_display12.php?repfixid=914

[observer]

Illness will result in changes for Bedford

BEDFORD Blues director of rugby Mike Rayer is looking to ring the changes for this week’s trip to Moseley in the penultimate Championship game of the regular season, writes James Heneghan.

An outbreak of illness within the squad along with the fight for places as the play-offs approach will give other players a chance to show what they can do.

full article at www.bedfordtoday.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/illness_will_result_in_changes_for_bedford_1_3522605

[observer]

Moseley Rugby flanker Ben Pons keen to make up for lost time

MANY a true word said in jest, and all that, but Ben Pons could be forgiven for not wholly enjoying Moseley boss Kevin Maggs’ description of him as ‘my most expensive player’.

There were smiles all round, some more forced than others, but given the fact the 23-year-old has managed less than four hours rugby this season, the quip was purposefully barbed.


Read More www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/birmingham-rfc-rugby/2012/02/16/moseley-rugby-flanker-ben-pons-keen-to-make-up-for-lost-time-97319-30341189/#ixzz1mc5mHDkq

[Communications Team]

Moseley's pack reshuffled

For immediate release Friday 17th February 2012
Issued on behalf of Moseley Rugby

RFU Championship: Moseley v Bedford Blues
Saturday 18th February, 3.00pm kick off at Billesley Common, Birmingham

Moseley take on Midlands rivals Bedford this week-end in the second of three very difficult matches to end their “regular” season. In the corresponding match at Goldington Road in the autumn Bedford were comfortable winners, and Moseley will be seeking to make it a tougher contest this time on their own territory.

Whilst Moseley’s backs are little changed from those which took the field against Bristol last week, the forwards have been shuffled, with changes in all three rows of the scrum, most significant of which is the change in the second row where Richard Stott starts the match which takes him above Andy Binns’ record number in the professional era.

Starting 15: 01. Marshall GADD; 02.Adam CAVES; 03. Craig VOISEY; 04.Richard STOTT; 05.Paul SPIVEY; 06.Neil MASON; 07.Ben PONS; 08. Michael ELLERY; 09. Ryan de la HARPE; 10. Glynn HUGHES; 11. William ROBINSON; 12.Andy REAY; 13. Brad HUNT; 14. Anthony CARTER; 15. Ollie THOMAS

Replacements: 16. Anthony O’DONNELL;17. Colin QUIGLEY; 18. Dan SANDERSON; 19. Michael MALTMAN; 20. David LYONS; 21.Greg KING; 22 Sam BROWN.

[shaky]

Congratulations Stotty, and hoping there's a good few still to come!

[Richie B]

Was expecting to seeg Mogenson and Tyas again this week but perhaps not then!

Having seen the Bedford side I would expect us to target their midfield defence as it appears to have been a problem for them in recent weeks. Feeling very positive about the game tomorrow especially if we can get parity up front to feed the backs who were impressive last week.

[Reddings]

Found this on Youtube...

[Communications Team]

Seven changes as the Blues head to Moseley

For immediate release Friday 17th February 2012
Issued on behalf of Bedford Blues

With just two games to go before the Championship play-offs begin, Bedford head off to Moseley this weekend looking to get their first win away from home since November.

Billesley Common is never an easy place to visit as Bristol, Doncaster, Plymouth and Esher have already learnt this season as did Cornish Pirates who drew 27 all with Moseley on the opening weekend of the Championship.

A sickness bug has swept through Goldington Road this week meaning that captain James Pritchard is ruled out of action whilst Mark Kohler is suffering from a knee injury. Sacha Harding and Handre Schmidt also remain on the injury list but aren’t too far away from a return.

Looking ahead to the game against Moseley, Blues Forwards Coach Martin Hynes said: “With only a couple of games before the play-offs, this is another opportunity for some guys to stick their hand up and show everyone what they can do. There’s been a bit of sickness around the club this week which has ruled a couple of people out of action but it’s a good chance to try some new combinations.

“Moseley is always a tough place to visit but we are hoping to build on our victory last weekend and try and get back to winning ways on the road once again.”

The Blues make seven changes to the team which defeated Plymouth last weekend with Dave Vincent, Henry Staff, Luke Baldwin, Chris Locke, Alex Rae and Jonathon Fisher all starting in place of Mark Kohler, Darryl Veenendaal, Neil Cochrane, Sean Tomes and Don Barrell while Brendan Burke moves to full back in place of James Pritchard.

Starting line-up:

15. Brendan Burke
14. Dave Vincent
13. Henry Staff
12. Ian Vass
11. Ollie Dodge
10. Jamie Lennard
9. Luke Baldwin

1. Sam Walsh
2. Chris Locke
3. Ben Cooper
4. Mike Howard
5. Alex Rae (c)
6. Gregor Gillanders
7. Darren Fox
8. Jonathon Fisher

Replacements: 16. Neil Cochrane, 17. Nico Steenkamp, 18. Phil Boulton, 19. Paul Tupai, 20. Billy Johnson, 21. Stefan Liebenberg, 22.

[shaky]

www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/birmingham-rfc-rugby/2012/02/17/moseley-rugby-stalwart-richard-stott-stands-on-the-brink-of-modern-day-appearance-record-97319-30346895/

[studleyken]

Looks like Maggsy has picked a strong squad. He's targeted this one as a possible win I think. The lads are bound to put up a good fight if only to help Stotty celebrate. What an asset to the club he has been over the years. Lets give him a warm welcome when he comes out.
Good find on youtube moselass. Lets hope he can score as many tries tomorrow, or should I say later on.
Come on you Mooooose.

[kingsheathlad]

A bit disappointing . Bedford were the better side. When we got into their 22, on the few occasions we did, we spurned any momemntum with knock ons. When they got into our half our tackling let us down and two of their tries resulted from that.
Pity about the missed penalty at the end, to not gett a losing bonus point , but their kicker had a shocker with some of his kicks, so we really should not have been in contention.
Hopefully no injuries picked up today so we can move into play offs with a full strenght squad

[Shy Spa]

Bedford were the better side, but I felt we competed well with a team which sat third in the table. A losing bonus point would have been justified.

Best wishes to the unfortunate Assistant Referee. He ran the line against Bristol if I remember correctly, enjoying a bit of banter with a lippy Bris fan. Shame that the other officials missed the stamp on Mason, who Blues seemed intent on winding up, together with some other offences. Which reminds me, could the Comms Team also announce the match officials when the team is posted here?

[lboromose]

Bedford deserved their win but I thought Mose played well on the whole and should be fine if they play to that standard in the play-offs. Certainly improved on the first half of season form.

I agree with Shy Spa about the officials missing the stamp on Mason and thought Bedford dished out cheep shots all through the game.

Many players played well today but I thought Adam Caves was outstanding – back to the sort of form he showed at Twickers.

[studleyken]

Another spirited performance without a result. Lots missed by the ref. but we have been saying that all season. I thought Waggy was very restrained, it might have been a different matter earlier in the season. Everyone battled today and you cannot ask for more. Bedford were the better side but we should look forward to the play-offs because I think Esher, LS & Albion will fear us more than we fear them the way we have been playing of late. I was dissopointed at some of the substitutes & positional changes towards the end of the game. I could not see how they would or did help. Anyway, maybe we can do something at Pirates next week. There is still an important point to fight for and then lets get right behind the team during the play-offs.
Come on you Mooooose.