Match report now on website: Moseley v Aberavon

[Communications Team]

Please note the following arrangements for Saturdays game against Aberavon

Entrance will be £5 for all adults, U16 free (proof of age may be requested)

The club will not be using Swanshurst School for members parking. All spectators will need to park in the main Yardley Wood Road Car Park. (no public parking in the clubhouse car park, disabled badge holders should contact the club prior to the game to obtain a ticket for parking near the clubhouse)

Only the entrance to the ground off Yardley Wood Road will be open on Saturday

[Communications Team]

Pre-Season Friendly: Moseley v Aberavon
Saturday 18th August, 3.00pm KO @ Billesley Common

While the Olympics may have provided some form of sporting relief from the withdrawal symptoms we have all experienced there is no substitute to the real thing. At last we get to see some rugby at Billesley with the 1st XV playing hosts to our visitors from South Wales, Aberavon and for the majority of the Moseley Faithful this game will provide the first opportunity to see Moseley vintage 2012/13 in action. And what an exciting opportunity it should prove to be.

Following Kevin Maggs’ very active summer there will be a number of new Moseley players on show (to help you out with this please go to the players profile page of the 1st XV section of the club website for this seasons new player photographs www.moseleyrugby.co.uk/players_profiles.php?team_id=12 ). With probably the most exciting backline Moseley has had in a number of seasons and a pack being forged by Scottish legend Dave Hilton it promises to be a season very different from the previous one.

Last week Moseley travelled to Bedwas and took many positives from an entertaining game which featured wholesale changes of personnel by both teams throughout. While it would therefore be misleading to draw conclusions from the scoreline itself, to visit Wales and come away with six tries is never something to be underestimated. That all the tries were scored by backs seemed to underline Kevin Maggs’ attacking philosophy.

Pre-season matches provide the ideal opportunity for teams to identify these areas requiring particular attention and work on them prior to the challenges of the league campaign. During the week the players will have been working on line-outs and scrummages and on their defensive lines as new combinations get used to working together.

Saturday brings a welcome return fixture against our friends from Aberavon following our visit last season to the Wizards Talbot Athletic Ground. A club with a great history in Welsh rugby Aberavon has, like Moseley, produced a number of Internationals and British Lions perhaps the best known being the 24 cap Welsh second row Allan Martin. The club has been part of the Premiership league since its inception in 2003 and has continued to be a breeding ground for international players being able to claim recent Welsh internationals such as Ryan Bevington and Justin Tipuric as past Aberavon players.

Last season Aberavon finished third in the Principality Premiership wining an impressive 19 out of 26 games played. Despite this, during the close season, some exciting signings have been made to bolster the squad. Wales 7s player Stefan Andrews, who finished second in the premiership try scoring table, joins from Tonmawr. Former Swansea prop Andrew Clatworthy, a Wales U21 international, and Wales U20 back row Ben Thomas from Bridgend and Ieuan Davies from Cardiff bolster the pack.

Aberavon's first pre-season game last week resulted in a hard fought 19 – 5 win over Division One West Champions Tata Steel.

One thing is for sure, with Moseley’s desire to play attacking rugby and the visit of a team which averaged three tries a game last season we should be in for an exciting spectacle on Saturday.

Entry Prices (Season tickets not valid)
Adult Gate entry (all categories): £5
Under 16s (proof may be required) Free

[kingsheathlad]

Thats without his boots on!

[professor]

Will the Comms Team be releasing a team/squad list for Saturday's game? With so many new faces it may be nice to have a full list if possible?

[Communications Team]

Moseley Team announced for Aberavon game

www.moseleyrugby.co.uk/report_display12.php?menitem=76

[Communications Team]

Aberavon preview from their website

17.08.2012 - Moseley v Aberavon
(by Howard Evans)

Aberavon will visit Moseley on Saturday with a 3.00pm kick-off and will take a stronger squad than the one that defeated Tata Steel by 19-5 last week.

Top scorer Jamie Davies returns from holiday at fly half and new skipper Sam Williams returns from Ospreys duty to play at lock and lead the Wizards for the first time.

Also back from the Ospreys is the powerful Morgan Allen in the back row and former Wales under-20 centre Ben John makes a long-awaited return from injury.

With vice-captain David Pritchard and Dan Davies at scrum half and the former Cardiff and Scarlets player Craig Evans at fly half, the squad looks strong.

[londonexile]

Thanks for the team sheet.

Also, well done Comms Team, I like the new innovation of the player pics in positional order. As always you're one step ahead of the game!

The back line has got some serious pace, it will be interesting to see Billy Robinson at outside centre. I stand to be corrected but I don't think he's started there for us before?

[Communications Team]

Final score Moseley 45 - 21 Aberavon
Tries : Pienaar, Penalty Try, Carter, S Hunt, Robinson, Burrows
Cons : S Hunt 4, Hughes 2
Pen S Hunt

[Gerald the Fish]

Really good game today. Absolutely never in doubt Mose were always in control. We conceded a lot less this week but scored some great tries from all aspects of play. The forwards were strong and had a push over try, as well as a penalty try whilst on the march. This was particularly pleasing as Aberavon "looked" a very heavy forward based team and I thought we may struggle with their weight. The backs played well and we had some well worked moves, and the line out functioned much better this week with the ball going to Addison Lockley who in my opinion had a great game. Overall I am really reassured having seen today's play. With so many new players and some of them very young I was concerned we wouldn't manage Championship physicality. Not so I think we could well have a good season, particularly as the players get to know each other better.......Well done Mose and Kevin Maggs.

[gary]

For those who are interested here is the Aberavon 'perspective'!


MOSELEY 45 - 21 ABERAVON
(by Howard Evans)

Moseley gained revenge for last season's defeat at Aberavon, but the result would have been much closer if not for the most appalling refereeing display ever witnessed by supporters of the Wizards.

Knock-on's, forward passes, crossing and offside were a feature of the home display, but the game will be remembered by the broken ankle sustained by young Aberavon scrum half Dan Davies.

This will mean with only vice-captain David Pritchard on the club's books that the alarm bells are ringing for the club to quickly sign a player and it appears that Liam Davies, who appeared for the club a few seasons ago, has joined Bedwas.

Several players were unable to make the trip but there were tries by wing Jonathan Phillips, centre Ben John and hooker Evan Yardley with individual efforts that saw Jamie Davies (2) and Craig Evans place conversions.

Former Ebbw Vale wing Simon Hunt notched 18 points for Moseley and ex-Neath and Bridgend full back Anthony Carter scored a try.

Next up, will he a home match against Tondu on Saturday with a trip to Baglan on Monday, August 27.

Aberavon Team - Paul Bamsey; Jonathan Phillips, Ben John (Darren Ritchie 63), Richard Thomas, Steve Davies (Craig Evans 63); Craig Evans (Jamie Davies 40), Dan Davies (David Pritchard 28); Chris John (Neil White 40), Gareth Harvey (Ieuan Davies 40, Evan Yardley 67), Andrew Clatworthy (Chris John 65), Rhydian Gierat (Gavin Ronan 40), Sam Williams (capt), Lee Purnell (Morgan Allen 40), Ben Thomas (Lee Purnell 58, Ben Thomas 72), Chris Davies (Calum Evans 72).

Tries: Jonathan Phillips (8), Ben John (49), Evan Yardley (73). Cons: Craig Evans (8), Jamie Davies (49,73).

Yellow Card - Chris Davies (33).

[Rich]

Well if that was "the most appalling refereeing display ever witnessed by supporters of the Wizards" I reckon they must have been blessed with a lot of good referees. One-eyed doesn't even come close!

Thoroughly good game yesterday and for me the stand out players were Lockley and Hunt. I do wonder what the prospects are for Ollie Thomas this year with Hunt and Hughes on the books.

I hope our backs are given as much ball once the season starts but I can't see it being quite so simple. Anyone for Saints?

[andyj]

The Aberavon coaching team were close to me in the stand and quite frankly they moaned at everything and Rich is absolutely right in terms of "One- eyed".
I thought the pack were immense in the first half and agree that Addison Lockley was outstanding. Ben Pienaar also had a great game and he will feature prominately throughout the season.
I think we lost a bit of momentum with the all the subs. The competition for the number 9 shirt looks good but on yesterday's performance Alex Day won it by some distance particularly with his speed of pass.
I think we can look forward to a really good season.

[Richie B]

Much better performance from the first half pack yesterday. Think the starting 8 will be those who take the field against Bedford. Backs far less impressive than against Bedwas though. Horribly scrappy second half from both sides. Second half ko receptions very poor. More positively scrum and maul (1st half), faultless place kicking, decent line out again first half. From what I've seen so far we have a useful first 15 that may surprise a few. However hope we can steer clear of injuries as the depth doesn't seem to be there at the moment.

[studleyken]

Going to Notts but what I say is roll on Bedford. It's a scary prospect as it might all fall apart, the tantalising taste of possible success that this team has given us in, remember, only 2 games. But!!! I can only be optimistic and positive. This is going to be a good season.

[studleyken]

Forgot, "Come on you Mooooose".

[coverdale]

Hey Ken just to remind you....its Northampton we`re going to!.. i thought id let you know as im coming in the car with you!
On a serious note....great game yesterday and i think all the comments sum it up perfectly and basically i think we have a hell of a lot to look forward to this season.
As for the Aberavon point of view.....its always the same when you beat a welsh side so its only to be expected!
Come on moooooooooose

[moseleywedge]

Simon Hunt scores his 1st half try

[studleyken]

Hi coverdale. I've got directions sorted. They both have the same start letter N so your lucky I got that close.
Hope your taking note on the comments regarding the P.A system. Very instructive and constructive. Great 1st attempt I thought though.
Another good day with Mose. Lets hope all the rest are the same.

[kingsheathlad]

I think the Aberavon report was done by one of their supporters in front of the clubhouse who moaned at every decision the ref gave against them. it says the squad was not strong but the earlier preview from their club suggested it was stronger squad than the week before. having watched the first two friendliest I still think we are not functioning in the line out but the scrum and backs fine. second half got scrappy again but that happens with all squad getting game time. hope their scrum half's broken ankle is not career threatening.

[coverdale]

Ye all the comments about the PA have and will be noted. Its great that 99 percent of it is positive. However, i think its important to understand that its NOT a night club or a disco! We are only trying to create a good atmosphere and lets be honest, we all have different musical tastes. Having said that, just about everyone who spoke to me afterwards really enjoyed the music especially the Aberavon fans who were dancing and singing as they came into the ground. When was the last time you saw that? They left comments to the bar staff that they really enjoyed the day (if not the result)! Also some of the players have tweeted etc that the atmosphere was so much better because of the music. I personally think that it has been a huge success that will only get better especially when Lee gets back from holiday.
People came up afterwards to say that in the stand the music was too loud. I hope in future someone will just come over to let us know at the time rather than wait till the end. I say again all we are doing is trying to make everybody`s day at the rugger more enjoyable and as the "stud" says....i think it was an admiral first attempt.

[coverdale]

or even admirable

[Oddsox]

I was very encouraged by Saturdays performance. I went along thinking Moseley would probably get turned over - after last year result &pre notice that Abervon had a strong side out.

Worthy of note- Carter at the back absolutely solid as a rock. Great try from a brilliant off load by Hayter who is a big quick unit. Simon Hunt finished well & took all kicks in first half.
I thought Ben Pons was man of the first half hour before Abervon injury break. His yellow helmet seemed involved in everything. Great to have him back & fit for the season. No 8 Pienaar dropped a simple kick off & was then outstanding- I can't remember us controlling the ball at back of scrum so well. Penalities abound.
No 9 Alex Day was quick & strong hopefully we have him for the season.
Someone else commented that the lineout wasn't working - but after first overthrow - I thought it was ok- Lockley was commanding at front,we even took a few off the top later on.

Second half was a bit messy with all the substitutes & half players not having numbers on(lee would have loved it on PA).But basically I've come away far too optimistic - solid pack that can provide the ball & backs with pace & planned moves that were enjoyable to watch & haven't mentioned front row or waggy.

Caveat - if Abervon are rubbish-ignore above, if not - exciting season promises. But, could do with Greg King fit - not sure Billy Robinson is a 13 - but scored good breakaway try from wing.

[fred123]

I too watched the game and thought the team showed improvement from the bedwas game from what i have seen and read. The team i would like to see against saints is:

Waller
Caves/Wilkes
Voisey
Lockely
Powell
Mason
Pons
Piennar
Brown
Hughes
Robinson/Morganson
Hayter
Carter
Hunt
Thomas

King would of been my choice in the centers however, i understand he is injured at the moment. At 9 we seem to have an abundance of riches, but based on big game performances and the physical requirements of the championship, i have gone for brown to start.

The revival Continues!!!

[Communications Team]

Match report and some excellent photographs from Harish Chavda are now available on the club website. (Clock on the relevant icon on the left of the fixture to access).

www.moseleyrugby.co.uk/allfixtures12.php?season=t&team_group_id=1