Moseley 15-24 Bedford

[observer]

Moseley (3) 15 – 24 (12) Bedford

Moseley (3) 15
Tries: Caves, Ellery
Con: Hughes
Pen: Hughes

Bedford (12) 24
Tries: Baldwin 2, Fisher, Fox
Con: Lennard 2

Attend: 879

All the stats: www.rugbyroundup.com/league.php?league_id=2&mode=stats&game_id=22633

[observer]

Bedford Website match Report (can’t do a ‘linky’ to it – so here’s the whole thing!

www.bedfordrugby.co.uk/

Bedford boss Mike Rayer had extra reason to fear travel sickness on the road to Moseley but after watching his side chalk up a first away win since November, he believes the Blues are well and truly cured.

The Blues’ form on the road has been torrid of late and after a sickness bug swept through his squad he was deprived of captain James Pritchard while Mark Kohler, Sacha Harding and Handre Schmidt remain on the sidelines.

But against the Birmingham side, Bedford sprang into life from the off – Luke Baldwin running in two tries, the first of which will linger long in the memory, while Gregor Gillanders and Darren Fox also crossed to seal the bonus point.

Moseley battled manfully to the end and did reduce the arrears to nine but couldn’t get to within a score, ensuring the Blues move into second ahead of today’s clash between Cornish Pirates and Bristol – much to the delight of Rayer.

“Has it been that long since our last away win?” said Rayer. “I’m really pleased, particularly this time of the year, it gives us a bit of confidence moving forward, it’s great to get on the road and get the win.

“I’m really pleased to get five points at Moseley on a tough day with tough conditions; I’m pleased that we did a professional job for 80 per cent of the game.

“I’m delighted with the way the lads who stepped in for absentees performed.
It enabled James Pritchard to have a week off, we got through without him so that was pleasing but it’s given them the chance to put their hand up moving forward into the play-offs and overall it was a really pleasing performance.”

Bedford flew out of the blocks and Fox raced over for his first try for Blues soon after the interval on 13 minutes following good work from Ollie Dodge and Fisher, only for Jamie Lennard to miss the conversion.

The hosts hit back and found themselves camped on the Blues’ try-line midway through the first half but Brendan Burke denied Glyn Hughes with a last-ditch tackle.

Moseley did soon get on the scoresheet with a Hughes penalty but Bedford stretched their lead on 29 minutes – Baldwin beating the hosts’ defence with an outrageous dummy before streaking clear.

Lennard this time converted. After the break the Blues continued to dominate with the elusive Dodge a constant handful and Moseley buckled after just seven second-half minutes.
Baldwin forced his way over for number two with Lennard converting to make it 19-3.

Moseley instantly replied with Michael Ellery going over after some fine wing play but after Hughes missed the conversion, the Blues stepped on the gas and Gillanders touched down after a powerful Bedford scrum.

Again Lennard was wayward with the conversion and another instant reply from Moseley saw hooker Adam Caves go over with a similar try to that of Fisher. There was hope when Hughes added the extras, but the Blues stood firm and will now look to sign off the regular season against Nottingham next week.

Rayer added: “We’ve still got a job to do next week at home in front of our own fans and our home form is going to be important again come the play-offs so we need to make sure we are winning those three games.

“Nottingham will provide a stern test, they are on a good run of form at the minute, they’ve got a really good squad and we are aware of what will be in store.
“But we want to finish the regular season off in the right way with a win.”

[observer]

Bedford Today Report:
www.bedfordtoday.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/dogged_blues_dig_in_to_beat_moseley_on_horrid_day_1_3538364

[gary]

I know we lost but in football parlance there were lots of positives to take from the game.

Clearly Kevin is still trying various combinations and it looks like he has a few more options than we might have thought a month or two ago. Our front row is not nearly as weak as it seemed earlier in the season and there were signs yesterday that we may have sorted some of our earlier problems.

You could argue that we were playing at least 3 of yesterdays threequarter lineup out of their best positions - Carter, Hunt and Thomas but I didn't think that any of them acquitted themselves badly. I like the look of Hughes and think he should start the playoffs at 10 for us but I think he may be better on the harder grounds. I don't think he is suited to boggy pitches.

We still need to find ways to release Robinson. Jack Adams looked hungry when he came on and I am confident that a combination of him, Andy and Greg in the centre with Hunt on the other wing will always score tries for us. By the way did you notice the Jack actually passed the ball for Ellery's try! He has come back a changed man!

Loads of options up front with Ben Pon's return as well which brings a new dimension to the back row.

Whilst still wary on the basis that anything can happy in the playoffs I'm feeling a little more confident after yesterday.

Full marks to Bedford. Even with a depleted side they deserved to win and (as they did when I went down to watch the reverse fixture) they look like a very good professional outfit. Yesterdays result was no disgrace for us.

[andyj]

After 5 minutes I thought we would be in for a torrid afternoon but our defence was awesome against a much bigger side. The scrum held firm and there were large patches of both halves where we were the better side. Two sloppy tries from a very good number 9 basically was the diffrence between the two sides.
I noticed neither of our new loan signings featured. Is there any intention to add to these guys?
Atendance at 879 was a joke - I reckon it was at least 1100.

[kingsheathlad]

London Scottish lost but got a losing bonus point while Esher had a last gasp win at Leeds and picked up 4 points. Makes the play offs even more interesting|||

[Westcountry Mose]

I can't help thinking that if we had put Ollie at 10 and Carter at 15 we may have got closer and possibly even another W.

[Steve@Mose]

Moseley 15 Bedford 24: Brian Dick's big match rugby verdict

[willbassett]

Summed up well as "frustrating". For large periods we were the better side only to suffer from a lack of composure in the "red zone". Too often in the first half we kicked ball away when we had control of the ball and should have gone through more phases.
Plenty of positives mind but I'm still baffled by the persistent selection of Hunt in the centre and Carter on the wing.

[Oddsox]

I was a little disappointed overall. However, lots of new combinations, some a little odd. there was passages of laboured looking play in first half, interspaced with superb breaks & off loads where we nearly scored on 3 ocassions.

I am glad there are confident fans on here - coz previous years I knew we were better than Cov & Bees then last year Esher & Bees..... this year, not so confident yet, worried about other teams recruits.

Glyn Hughes looked great a 10 against Plymouth & controlled the game with boot when we were ahead. Wasn't so sure about some of his kicking on saturday when were were behind.

But a bench of say Stott, Maltman, Spivey, Pons, Adams, De La harpe, Brad Davies, Quigley (don't know about 2 new recruits) sounds good enough to keep us up - doesn't it?

[Westcountry Mose]

Didn't any of the papers mention Stotty's achievement in breaking the club's appearance record? It must be about time he was given a testimonial.

[willbassett]

WCM - very good point. Fantastic achievement by Stotty. Many thanks to him for all he has done for the club.