The Big Match Preview – Birmingham Moseley v Rams
Chris Bertram
After a feisty encounter with Dings Crusaders where poor discipline was arguably Birmingham Moseley’s undoing, a much more composed performance saw the boys in red and black match Tonbridge Juddians score for score, with each team taking three points from the match. Draws are not a common occurrence on the rugby field, but it was hard to disagree that this was a fair result, with both teams giving their all. Only a number of injuries will give Moseley’s coaches some cause for concern, and it is to be hoped that they are not serious.
That three points brings Moseley level once again with Dings and Clifton on 34 points, with Sedgley Park on 35 and Bishop’s Stortford on 38. It’s tight in this area of the league table, and the game in hand that Moseley currently have on Dings and Stortford could prove useful, if it can be won, of course! Stortford, in particular, have suffered a recent dip in form and have lost their last four matches, while Clifton have only one win in their last five. Moseley’s recently improved form may have come at a very opportune time.
The aforementioned game in hand is that against Rosslyn Park, postponed from early January to February 7th. But first we have the challenge of the visit of Rams, against whom a narrow 31-28 loss was sustained back in October at Old Bath Road. Rams are sitting sixth in the table, just ahead of Tonbridge, with ten wins from seventeen matches, but have had an inconsistent season, their longest winning streak being four matches in September and October. Since then they haven’t won more than two in a row and have lost to Dings Crusaders and Bishop’s Stortford as well as higher-placed teams.
So, are they there for the taking? Perhaps, but it would be foolish to assume so. For a start, their head-to-head record against Moseley is very strong, with eight wins to three, and the league position and points gap between the sides is significant. But Moseley actually have a slightly better playing record in their last five games, and in the last two matches at Billesley, Moseley have come out on top, including a 19-0 victory last season. Home advantage could be a very important factor this time around.
There are some familiar names among Rams’ top try scorers. Hooker Max Hayman, at Rams since 2021, has twelve, centre Morgan MacRae, a recruit from Henley in 2024, has ten, fullback Zach Clow and wing Axel Kalling-Smith have eight each and centre Oli Roads has seven. Top scorer is fly-half Mike Cooke, new to the club this season, who has 85 points from 41 conversions and a penalty. It certainly helps when the rest of your team are scoring lots of tries for you to convert!
Last Saturday saw Moseley’s outside backs dominate the scoring for a change, with fullback Freddie Painter bagging a brace, and wings Aquile Smith and Sam Clarke one each. Those were Freddie’s first two of the season, while Aquile has five and Sam has six. But Morgan Dawes and Ollie Stedman still lead the standings with eight tries each. Tommy Taylor added a conversion and a penalty to his tally and now has 51 points,
This is now a resilient Moseley side that won’t give up even when the opposition appear dominant. Recent results have show the potential that exists to break down defences and capitalise on errors (though discipline must still be maintained at all times). Billlesley will be waiting for the Rams and their supporters, with a team ready for the challenge and a loud home support ready to issue the passionate cry:
“Come on Moseley”
