May 2012

Scrum Half David Brazier is promoted from our U19 Colts.

This season David captained the Moseley U19s to an impressive win in the North Midlands Colts Cup Final and he also captained the North Midlands U20 team.

During last season David has impressed the Moseley coaches in appearances for the Development XV.

Scrum Half Sam moved to Billesley from Cinderford where he was ever present in their 2010/11 National Division 1 team. Prior to Cinderford Sam made 52 appearances for Birmingham & Solihull Bees, being an integral part of their promotion winning squad.

June 2012

The club is always particularly delighted to sign former Moseley Colts and adds Nigel Burrows to the 1^st XV squad for 2012/13. The 6’2” flanker made 24 appearances for Bromsgrove in National Division 2 North last season, including an impressive try tally of 15.

Joe Heaton's 2010/11 Profile of Antony Carter:

Anthony Carter

Without doubt Anthony Carter is one of the most interesting and experienced newcomers to Moseley. A 29 year old Welshman, who joined us from Doncaster in the close season, is 6ft I inch and 16st 1lb, and can play anywhere in the back three, preferably fullback.

Anthony was born in Bridgend and educated at Bryntirion Comprehensive, except for his final school year, which he spent at Newton College, Canterbury, New Zealand, where he took his ‘A’ levels (yes, ‘A’ levels on the other side of the world!) and played rugby.

On returning to Wales he entered the Cardiff College of Medicine and qualified as a physiotherapist in 2003. Throughout his rugby career he has practiced as a physiotherapist and is now taking a Masters Degree in Sports Physiotherapy at the University of Wales. Anthony met his girlfriend, Helen on their degree course and she has joined him in Birmingham to work as a paediatric physiotherapist at Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

Anthony’s rugby alma mater was his home town club Bridgend, 22miles west of Cardiff, with a population of 60,000 that merged with Pontypridd in 2003 to form Celtic Warriors, with mixed fortunes. He also played for Wales Students 2002-03-04.
In 2004, with the collapse of the Warrior’s region, he made a break with the incestuous world of Welsh rugby to join Rotherham in English National League One but then, after two seasons, moved across South Yorkshire to Doncaster, both clubs well known to Moseley members.

Anthony missed the first two months of last season recovering from a longstanding injury to his neck, which required a difficult operation in the off-season, although returning to make 19 starts for Knights. In the 2008/09 season he scored six tries in twenty five League and Cup matches.

In his early professional years Anthony was guided by Alan Lewis, a well known figure in Moseley’s past. Alan spoke highly of Moseley’s rugby its traditions, coaches and supporters. These memories were reinforced at a meeting with the present coaches which led to him making the decision for him to join Moseley, a decision as straightforward as any he had made during his rugby career.

Anthony said that he admires the commitment of Moseley teams to play rugby and express themselves, an ethos he is looking forward to contributing to.

Anthony is now with us and says that he is settling down well in Birmingham, having already bought a small house locally. He feels his role will be to bring his experience to an exciting group of players and play his part in Moseley reaching their full potential in the fast approaching season. We wish him well!

A former England U21 and Barbarians fly half, Brad has a wide range of experience gained most recently at Bedford and prior to that also at Gloucester. Brad's ability to play centre and his reliable goal kicking provides options for the Moseley back line

Moseley sign Wales prop Ben to bolster pack

20 Dec 2012 08:08

May 2012

Scorer of London Scottish's try of the season 2011/12 Charlie Hayter joins from Worcester Warriors. During his time in the Championship Charlie has scored an impressive 25 tries in 44 starts.

“Moseley appoints a Scotland legend as forwards coach”

Moseley Rugby Club is pleased to announce the appointment of former Scottish International Dave Hilton as forwards coach. He replaces Craig West who has stepped down from direct coaching responsibilities due to other increasing business commitments. Dave joins Moseley from Dings Crusaders where he initially started his coaching career with responsibility for the forwards.  He soon established his credentials and was promoted to Head Coach in 2011. In addition to his coaching duties Dave also managed twenty-one appearances for Dings 1^st XV in the front row - earning himself selection to The Rugby Paper’ s National 2 Dream Team last season in the process.

Brian Dick - Birmingham Mail Report:

Moseley have pulled off a massive coup by signing their former nemesis, England Sevens wing Simon Hunt.

During his time with B&S Hunt, who is also a high quality place-kicker, bagged 103 points in seven matches against Moseley, including two hat-tricks and a dozen tries. Indeed, he was so effective he once openly questioned whether Mose had done their homework on how to stop him.

That problem belongs to the rest of the Championship now and having ended his connection with the Sevens set-up the Bristol-based trainee teacher will pull on the Red and Black from next season, and Maggs could not be more happy. He said: "Simon has been frustrated at the lack of opportunity to show his skills on the Sevens circuit apart from the last event they won and he is looking for a new challenge. He is a very talented player who has caused a lot of Championship teams a lot of heartache with his try-scoring ability and that's what we want him to continue to do. I am confident he has still got enough gas in the tank to make an impact. He's got everything, he is big, he is physical, he has got the right temperament for the game, he is quick and he is very skilful. When we played against him we knew he was their main threat and we looked at that but it was a case of maybe he was too good to stop or maybe we weren't good enough to stop him.

New Moseley signing Greg King looks forward to working with Kevin Maggs

Jun 26 2011 by Brian Dick, Sunday Mercury :

New Moseley signing Greg King has revealed he was attracted to Billesley Common by the prospect of playing under Kevin Maggs. The 23-year-old agreed a one-year contract last week after spending most of his formative years at Worcester Warriors. But even though he had a year left on his contract at Sixways the Chipping Norton-based centre asked to be released so that he could see more first-team action. King made 18 appearances spread across three seasons with Warriors but found it difficult to force his way into a midfield that included internationals Sam Tuitupou, Dale Rasmussen and Alex Grove. "I needed to take a step sideways to start going forward again," King said. "I still have ambitions to be a full-time rugby player so I really wanted to play more. I needed to get a lot more game-time because that's when you get better. I had a really fun time at Worcester it just ended on a frustrating note. All year I was going in and asking to get some game time but the boys got on a bit of a run then Grovesy, who is a class player, came back in and I was getting frustrated so the best thing to happen was to move clubs. At Mose King will link up with Maggs who enjoyed a dazzling playing career with Bath and Bristol and won 70 caps for Ireland. Indeed the new Moseley head coach, who was appointed successor to Ian Smith at the end of last season, was half of a brilliant Irish centre pairing that also included Brian O'Driscoll. And King recognises such experience can only benefit his game. "I had a really good meeting with Kevin who was obviously a pretty good centre in his own right. I was delighted to hear about his plans to play very open attacking rugby. One of his first questions to me was "Could I play outside centre?" I told him I could, I played England age group rugby at 13, it's basically the same position. That would bring King into the side alongside Andy Reay and see him fill the berth vacated by Bevon Armitage's move to Plymouth.

June 2012

Buster made 26 appearances for Dings in National 2 South during 2011/12 including 25 starts having also appeared for Moseley Development in the match against Coventry last season. Lawrence is a highly promising Number 8 who can also play Flanker & Lock. Also a Cricketer – Son of Syd Lawrence (Gloucester & England).

May 2012

A former Captain of Ivybridge College Addison is a very promising young second row who, while on dual registration from Exeter, made 17 appearances for Plymouth last season including 2 against Moseley. In 2009 he played for the Regional Academies XV which beat Australia Schools 36-10. Further representative success came as a key member of the England U20 team that secured a Grand Slam in 2011

Kevin Maggs promoted to head coach at Moseley RFC

By Brian Dick, Birmingham Post, 19th May 2011

Moseley has announced the promotion of assistant Kevin Maggs to the role of head coach. The 36-year-old replaces Ian Smith, who asked for his contract not to be renewed at the end of last season, in what will be his first job in charge of a Championship outfit.

The former Ireland centre has agreed a one-year contract having made a good impression in his role as Smith's backs coach last season.

Maggs beat off more than 40 other applicants and impressed the powers at Billesley Common with his contacts, commitment and positivity.

And although last term was effectively Maggs's first full season as a coach, he brings with him the benefit of 70 international caps, a stellar playing career and success in his first two sideline roles at Rotherham and Mose.

While Maggs admits he is taken aback at the speed of his elevation, he is determined to prove himself. "I have always been ambitious throughout my career and it's no different in coaching", he said. "I have been doing it on and off - because of my personal situation - for the last two-and-a-half years and it's come a little bit earlier than I expected. But it's a challenge I am really looking forward to. I have got a good support network both within the club and outside it and I can't wait to get started".

"I enjoyed working with Ian and expected to be doing the same this year but, it's a great opportunity being head coach at a club like Moseley with all its fantastic history".

Neil Mason signs two-year deal

May 2012

by Brian Dick, Birmingham Mail

Moseley have secured talismanic flanker Neil Mason on a two-year deal that will also see the experienced blindside help out with coaching. The situation has become particularly acute in the back row where Chevvy Pennycook has gone to the Exiles while Michael Maltman and Michael Ellery have moved on to play Sevens with Scotland and England respectively. That fact, combined with Mason's outstanding form this season, made the 29-year-old' retention such an important one for Maggs, who is facing something of a summer rebuild. And for Mason the chance to start thinking about the next stage of his career was also a big factor. "It's a forwards-assistant role and since I am looking to do my Level Three this year it works out well", he said. "It's a lot easier to do a little bit of coaching while I am still playing. I am looking forward to working with Maggsy and Craig West or whoever comes in. "After a difficult year last year this season has been very positive for me. It convinced me I can still compete and do what I do at Championship level for at least another couple of years. At the end of this contract I'll have been at Moseley for nine years, I' like to do at least ten and then we will see what happens as regards injuries and what my body is telling me.

Mason' form was good through the 2011-12 campaign but peaked in the relegation play-offs with a string of abrasive and dynamic displays that set the tone for the Moseley pack. Indeed, the 28 appearances he made last term made it his most active season for three years and took his club total to 184 with 30 tries. As a result he will once again be a keystone around which Maggs builds his forwards, something Mason has tipped the coach to do well. "We have lost a few players but if there is a person up for a challenge it is Maggsy,"he said. " I have been on the phone to him quite a bit in the last couple of weeks and he has lots of ideas and irons in the fire. Te one thing about Maggsy is he never gives up. Nothing ever fazes him and he has the attitude that there is always an answer out there, it just has to be found. With his contacts and work ethic he will source new players and Moseley will be in a stable position.

May 2012

In the first move to strengthen the pack for 2012/13 Moseley today signed Liam Mather from Coventry. Liam, a hard working lock who is equally at home securing line out ball as making yards with it in hand will be looking to develop his skills within the engine room of the Moseley pack. Liam made his Championship debut at the age of 19 for Nottingham and has since gone on to be a key part of the Coventry team last season.

Moseley adds a Tiger to the back row

21st June 2012

Moseley has pleasure in confirming the signing of No 8 Ben Pienaar for the 2012-13 campaign.

The 26 year old former judo national champion brings a combination of power and experience to Moseley’s back row.

He made his Premiership debut for Leicester Tigers against Worcester in 2007/08 and was never on the losing side in each of his five starts the following year, including the Heineken Cup quarter-final against Bath.

Ben captained Leicester’s ‘A’ team when that side won its league in 2009/10, but an Achilles injury ended his 2010/11 campaign after just four senior appearances. He made a total of 29 appearances for Tigers including five outings last season and has gained experience of The Championship whilst playing as a dual registered player for both Nottingham and Bedford in recent years.

Ben joined Moseley when he was 8 and came all the way through our Mini and Junior Section playing two full seasons in the senior Colts and for the development side. He represented North Midlands, Midlands and the combined North & Midlands team, culminating in being selected for the 2012 England Counties Tour of Africa.

May 2012

Mike brings a wealth of experience to the Moseley second row having played Heineken Cup and Mangers League rugby before moving to London Welsh where he immediately took the role of 1st XV Captain. A highlight of Mike's career to date will have been being part of the Ospreys team that defeated Australia 23 - 16. During the second half of last season Mike played for London Wasps on a loan arrangement, showing an impressive turn of pace scoring a spectacular solo try from deep inside Wasps own half against Exeter.

Billy joined Moseley from Cambridge where, during 2010/11, he led their try scoring with 18 tries. A feat which saw him 7th in the National Division 1 try scoring table. A versatile player, Billy can play Wing, Full Back and Centre.

June 2012

Olly Robinson joins from Loughborough Students having made 26 Appearances in National Division 2 North last season whilst previously having played for England at Under 18s and represented Gloucester in the JP Morgan 7s series.  The highly regarded open-side flanker will undoubtedly have good technique with the benefit of specialised coaching from a young age by his father Andy – the current Scotland Head Coach and former England International.

May 2012

Fly half/full back Caolan Ryan (former Moseley M&J and Colt) is welcomed back from Bromsgrove. Last season for Bromsgrove Caolan made eighteen 1st team appearances scoring four tries having moved there from Moseley Colts.

Ollie rose rapidly from the Mini and Junior teams, before leaving to go full time with Pirates for 2007/08, he returned in October 2008. After scoring a vital drop goal in the EDF Trophy win at Twickenham he moved on again to Chalon in France for 2009/10, returning again for 2010/11. He was Under 21 player of the season in 2003, and Supporters Player of the Season in 2005. He toured Argentina with England Counties XV in summer 2005 and France in 2006.

Ollie is the son of former Moseley flying wing, Alan Thomas, and was educated at King Edward's, Five Ways. He has played cricket to Warwickshire Under-19s level, and, as a batsman and leg-spinner, for the Moseley Ashfield club. A prolific place kicker Ollie broke a number of the club's all time scoring records and passed the 1000 points mark in just four seasons - an exceptional record, especially when considering that in his first year he was not the main kicker.

Despite Moseley finishing fourteenth in National One in 2006-07, Ollie still ended up third in the league's top points scoring list. In total he notched up an impressive 287 points, including a club record 28 points for Moseley in a 38-32 win against Nottingham. Ollie also kicked a crucial drop goal in the Twickenham National Trophy final win over Leeds.

He then opted for a move to France where he spent another excellent campaign with Racing Club Chalonnais under the guidance of new Worcester supremo Richard Hill, back in his old position at No.10 he went on to lead the club to within a couple of games of promotion. Ollie told the Sunday Mercury - "I played nearly all of the season at No. 10 in France and that went really well, I really enjoyed getting my hands on the ball more. But I also played a few minutes at outside centre so I still think of myself as able to play in most positions. I think I am a better player than when I was last at Moseley. You are meant to improve year on year, there's something wrong if you don't. And i've benefited from a year in a full time set up, playing virtually every game, losing only one and working with a great coach." Hopefully I'll bring all that back with me.