Moseley 22 Luctonians 0 - North Midlands Cup
semi-final
Last Sunday the U17
Colts beat Luctonians 22-0 to reach the final of the North Mids Cup on 22nd
April against Dudley Kingswinford or Hereford.
After weathering the expected opening onslaught with some committed
defence, Moseley (somewhat surprisingly considering that conditions were,
once again, “blustery”) went on to dominate the first half of this North
Mids semi final. Playing into a strong wind and against the slope they
reached half time leading by 17 points to nil with tries from Curtis Gilbert
(converted by Alex Warner) and Josh McPherson.
Opportunities for a bigger lead were not taken and left wing Joe Withers was
especially unlucky to scrape the touchline in the act of “scoring” what
would have been a magnificent solo try from half way.
The second half was a slightly different story. Moseley expected to press
home their advantage but faltered slightly with the elements in their favour
and allowed the bigger Luctonians front eight to disrupt play at the
breakdown. As a result, there was only one more score to the home side, when
Calum Sheehan, taking an expert line from full back, scythed through the
visitors’ defence to score a try just left of the posts.
In very difficult kicking conditions, the conversion was not successful but
it left Moseley 22 – 0 in front and there was no real way back for the away
side, despite some brave attempts by their purposeful No.8. Moseley,
therefore, make the final of the N Mids Cup for the second successive year
where they will face either Dudley Kingswinford or Hereford who play 1st
April. The final will again be held at Droitwich, this year on Sunday 22nd
April - Simon Bartlett
Match photos
click here
National Under 17 Competition, Divisional Semi-Final.
Moseley 18 Dudley Kingswinford 6
A real tale of two halves,
this one, as the now famous ‘Billesley Breeze’ played a full part in an
entertaining match.
Dudley won the toss and elected to play the first half with the breeze
behind them – clearly hoping to build a significant lead by half time – and
they came at the home side with determination and purpose. Such was the
pressure on the home defence that Moseley found it very difficult to get out
of their own half. Nonetheless, for all their territory and possession, a
massive defensive effort by the home team restricted the score to 0 – 6 at
half time, with DK only having 2 converted close range penalties to show for
their significant efforts.
The second half was almost a complete reversal with Moseley pegging the
visitors back for long periods. Early in the second period, Moseley reduced
the deficit with a 3 pointer by Alex Warner. Some strong running in the
centres gave occasional respite to the visitors but as the pressure mounted
on them, errors began to creep into their play and Moseley began to get the
upper hand. 2 tries from Curtis Gilbert – one of which was a screamer
straight off the back of a scrum around the 22 metre mark and a further
penalty plus a conversion from Alex, saw Moseley score 18 unanswered points
in the second half and run out winners.
There were no stand out individuals as this was a massive team performance
22 but please spare a thought for Chris and Stuart who we were unable to get
into the squad this week. They took the news like real team men and are just
as happy as the rest of the lads with the victory. Their time will come.
We now face Nottingham (venue TBA) in the Midlands Divisional Final on 25th
March. Before that, it’s the N Mids Cup semi final against Luctonians at
Billesley next Sunday (11am kick off).
Simon Bartlett
National Under 17 Competition, Divisional Quarter Final.
Towcestrians 5 Moseley 12
The pitch did little to help either side – it was a mud patch. Early
pressure from Towcestrians (unbeaten in two years) pegged Moseley back and
successive line-outs close to the visitors’ try line resulted in a catch and
drive score for the home team. The catcher was held in the air long enough
to allow a maul to form around him, which gave no opportunity for Moseley to
organise effectively and defend what is, at best, a dubious tactic. The
referee told our captain that “he had told them about it now” but the score
stood. The try was unconverted.
Moseley were finding it difficult to get any sort of rhythm into their play
until a slight change in emphasis by our forwards and some astute tactical
kicking by Alex Warner meant Towcestrians were finally put under some
pressure in their own 22. From a position just left of their posts, Tows
tried to kick clear following a ruck, only for the kick to be charged down
by Warner. Somewhat luckily the ball rebounded straight into the arms of
Josh McPherson who sprinted over the line and had the good sense to get
under the posts making the conversion a formality. At half time the score
remained 5–7 despite some very heavy pressure on the home team by an
increasingly dominant Moseley effort.
The second half began with Moseley still in the ascendancy but struggling to
convert their pressure into points. Ultimately, though, more pressure on a
defensive kick by Tows saw Moseley running back at them with purpose. In the
best passage of play of a match otherwise fragmented by the atrocious
conditions, Moseley put together a move of great continuity and with some
deft off loads and good decision making they cut through the home defence
for Warner to go over with an unconverted try.
From this winning position Moseley contrived to make things difficult for
themselves and the previous good discipline and decision making gave way to
some blind panic as the opposition came back strongly. With Moseley penned
back in their 22, some heroic defence, at more (now fully legal) catch and
drive line outs kept Tows at bay and forced them into errors. From one such
incident, a huge fly hack and chase by replacement winger Scott Boulton took
Moseley well up the field and the game finished with Moseley back in the
Tows 22 and threatening their line. Moseley Colts now progress to the
divisional semi final, opponents to be notified. - Simon Bartlett
p.s. The North Midlands Cup Semi Final
match against Luctonians has been moved to Sunday March 18th
Moseley 22 Woodrush 5
In a closely fought match Moseley took the lead with an individual try from
Lee Nixon converted by Alex Warner. Moseley went further ahead with a try by
Joe Withers just before Half Time. At the break it was 12-0. Woodrush
fought back with an unconverted try following poor defence by our lads.
Then we spent the remainder of the match in the Woodrush half due a
sterling performance by the Moseley Pack and some excellent running from
the Moseley backs. Alex Warner kicked a penalty before completing the
scoring himself with an excellent individual try which he duly converted.
This was a good performance by the under 17s following on from their poor
performance in the previous match against Bromsgrove.
U17s North Midlands Cup – Quarter Final results
Birmingham Solihull 12 Luctonians 31
Bromsgrove 13 Hereford 15
Moseley 22 Woodrush 5
Dudley Kingswinford 48 Camp Hill 7
Moseley play Luctonians in the Semi Finals
Shrewsbury 5 Moseley 31 - N Mids
Premier League
Moseley U17s re-started their season, after the
Christmas holiday with a generally scrappy performance, in heavy conditions.
Moseley dominated possession and the score should have been very much more,
with at least 4 try scoring opportunities wasted.
However, wrong options were taken at critical
times and the score remained close at 10 – 5 until the last 15 minutes. As
it was, tries from Nixon, Withers, Warner, Peach and Nelson (+3 conversions
from Warner) were enough to give Moseley a comfortable winning margin.
There will need to be a much more accurate and
controlled performance next week against Bromsgrove who gave us a very
tough game last time around.
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Moseley 20
Bredon 5
A well
contested game in atrocious conditions at Billesley saw Moseley take an early
lead through a try by Joe Withers after some excellent quick passing. Bredon
soon equalised after Moseley were caught offside. Moseley again gained the
upper hand following a well taken try Josh Macpherson Ellis, Alex Warner
converted to make it 12-5 at the interval.
Good defence from Moseley kept a Bredon early onslaught out before Joe
Withers neatly finished off a good move by the Moseley backs to take the game
to 17-5.
There was a long delay following a serious leg injury to one of the Bredon
front row before Alex Warner put a penalty over in difficult kicking
conditions to emphasise Moseley’s deserved but hard fought win.
Moseley U17s head the North Midlands Premier League table (played 3 won 3) on
points difference from Dudley Kingswinford (P3 W3). The two sides meet this
coming Sunday at Heathbrook.
Bromsgrove
9 Moseley 15
Moseley U17 faced their toughest match of the season against a spirited
Bromsgrove team in their 2nd game in the North Mids Premier League.
The game played away from home at Bromsgrove was one of 2 halves with the
opposition putting Moseley under pressure via an aerial bombardment of high
kicks in their own 22.
2 penalties by Bromsgrove gave them a 6-0 lead at half-time, in fact the
score could have been more but for good defence from the red and blacks.
An improved second half performance by our Under 17s put Bromsgrove under a
lot of pressure and with 20 minutes still to play Moseley finally took the
lead with our U16 prop Ritchie Nelson scoring close to the posts. Alex Warner
converted.
Moseley went further head from a Josh Macpherson-Ellis try before Bromsgrove
closed the score to 12-9 with another penalty.
More patience in attack would have given Moseley more tries but the game was
finally clinched with Alex Walker putting over a penalty on the final whistle
to make the final score 15 - 9 to Moseley.
Moseley have played two won two in the North Midlands Premier league so far.
They have a training day this Sunday before their next League Match at home
to Bredon on Sunday December 10th.
Dave Ireland
Tries:Richie Nelson; Josh McPherson
Con: Alex Warner
Pen: Alex Warner
Moseley 50 Camp Hill 0
Congratulations
to the Under 17 Colts who have won the Eastern league with a 100% record and
now progress to the North Midlands Premier League. They won 50-0 in their
final Eastern Division league match against Camp Hill scoring 8 tries (and
five conversions) before time was called early by the referee in line with
the competition rules.
Participation in the premier league ensures progress to the regional stages
where their finishing position in the North Mids Premier League will
determine whether they progress to the Cup, Plate, Shield or Bowl. The shield
and bowl remain regional whilst the Cup and Plate progress through to
National finals
The next game is on 12th Nov. when they play Shrewsbury at home in the N Mids
Cup then once again (at home again) in the North Midlands Premier League on
19th November.
We will bring you news on the fixtures for the next stage as soon as we
receive them.
Old Salts
0 Moseley 31 - October 8th 2006
In a much improved performance all around, Moseley Under 17 Colts continued
their league season with a hard fought victory at Watton Lane.
Old Salts had beaten Camp Hill last week and so had high hopes. As expected
they were physical, put up stern resistance, and were difficult to break
down.
Eventually, Moseley’s better basic disciplines and spatial awareness told to
good effect, as Salts were “nilled” by us for the second time this season.
Three tries were scored in the first half (2 beauties from Josh and a
screamer from Joe) and two in the second (a lovely solo jinking run by Zack
and a close range surge from Tom B). 3 of which were converted.
A special mention for Curtis and Leighton from the U16s who helped us out
this week. Neither were out of place and seemed to enjoy themselves.
For his tireless work both in the tight and around the park, man of the match
this week was awarded to No8/ lock Danny McCue.
After the game the Moseley team was praised by the referee for the way that
personal disciplines were maintained when, towards the end, the game became a
bit fractious. It’s not often that a referee will say something like that and
it is worthy of note, so well done lads and let’s make sure we don’t fall
from that standard in our upcoming games.
Scorers:
Tries: Josh McPherson (2), Joe Withers, Zack McParland, Tom Bartlett.
Conversions: Alex Warner (2), Tom Bartlett
Camp Hill
Under17 -17 Moseley Under17 - 26 - September 24th 2006
Moseley U17
clinched victory in a hard fought match away to Camphill.
Moseley took the lead after about 10
minutes only to be pegged back by Camphill a few minutes later, Scrum Half
David Barton scored a good individual try under the posts before a defensive
mistake let Camphill in again to equalise 14-14 at Half Time.
Both Moseley first half tries were converted by Tom Bartlett.
Moseley took control of the game in the
2nd half and were rarely out of the Camphill half, but it was not until 15
minutes from the end that Moseley took the lead with a try from left wing Joe
Taylor. This was followed by a good try from right wing Lee Nixon converted
by Alex Warner.
Camphill came back with a late penalty Final score 26-17 to Moseley.
A disappointing performance by our under 17s and will need to improve on
discipline if they are to achieve their full potential.
Dave Ireland
Moseley 22
Birmingham Lions 3
Moseley Under 17s continued their league season with a hard fought 22 – 3
victory against a very spirited, and much - changed Birmingham Lions, at
Billesley last Sunday but continue to misfire.
Our current inability to field the same team 2 weeks running because of
injuries and unavailability, was further hindered by the withdrawal (during
the warm up) of our Captain and inside centre, Jon Betty, which massively
altered the balance of a team already showing 5 changes from the previous
match.
4 tries (one converted) were scored including a rather harshly awarded
penalty try for ‘persistent offending’ when Lions were leading 3 – nil, after
a very strong start by them.
It is to its credit that the Moseley team stuck to the task in hand and
competed well but there is much to work on, especially in terms of ball
preservation and presentation in the contact areas. All available players to
attend training this week please!
On the plus side we welcomed back from long term injury, Kesser Sadiq and
Aaron Jones, into the front row, for their first games of the season and we
finally won a line – out!
Walsall 0
Moseley 34
Scorers:
Tries: Josh Macpherson (2) Joe Taylor (2) Dave Barton Ritchie Nelson
Conversions: Alex Warner (2)
We’re always interested in match reports if any parents (or players) fancy
giving it a go? - Send your report to info@moseleyrugby.co.uk
Moseley
U17 -66 Old Saltleians U17 - 0
After a very slow start (it was 0-0 after15 minutes) Moseley soon gained the
ascendancy following a good individual 40 metre try by scrum-half David
Barton.
Half-time score 26 -0.
In the 2nd Half Moseley ran riot - the pace of our three-quarters being too
much for a plucky Old Salts outfit. Overall it was a good team performance
but there is still plenty to work on - especially the line out.
Thanks go to the 3 U16s who played - all of them had great games – Dan and
Leighton, who both scored tries, and Lawrie Keys, whose steal at the line-out
in our own 22 led to a multi-phase, stunning, try of the match.
Tries: Josh Mcpherson 3; Joe Withers; Dan Mickelwright; Leighton Peach; James
Weaver; David Barton; Callum Sheehan & John Betty
Conversions: Alex Warner 8
Under 17s training has started and will continue every Sunday until our first
match on 3rd September. These sessions are in addition to the Tuesday and
Thursday sessions run by senior colts coaches.
All players old and new are welcome to attend at 10.00am for a 10.30am start,
at Billesley Common. Meet initially, by the clubhouse.
We would especially like to see anyone returning to rugby this season after
time off while studying for GCSE exams and/ or anyone looking for a fresh
rugby challenge.
Please feel free to drop me a line for any additional information you may
want.
Simon Bartlett
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