Chris Bertram hopes for three on the bounce
We score six tries, we win. That’s how it’s worked out so far this season for Birmingham Moseley, with each of our victories, home and away, featuring a round half-dozen five pointers, the scorers coming from across the team. That the latest victory was a follow-up to one on the road made it all the more satisfying, as it demonstrated that that win was not a fluke, nor simply a result of coming up against a team clearly not in the best of shape.
Clifton were, from the start, a better organised team than Leeds, and proved more difficult to break down, but by the end of the match they were in some disarray, and struggling to cope with the enterprising moves that Moseley were coming up with. From the viewpoint of a supporter in the stand, it is looking like the squad is beginning to believe in itself; if this belief can be sustained, then the prospects for the rest of the season will start to look ever brighter.
The gap in the league table between Moseley and Clifton was too large to bridge in one go, so Moseley remain eleventh, but now only four points adrift of tenth place. With a few favourable outcomes, however, that could happen soon. Moseley are, of course not in control of the destiny of other clubs’ fixtures, but can work to ensure the best result for themselves. And what would be better than a third win in a row and to approach Christmas in the highest position we have reached in many weeks?
Our opponents this weekend would seem to be the ideal side for this to happen. Leicester Lions are bottom of the league table with just two wins and sixteen points to their name. It’s not that they can’t score tries – they actually have more try bonus points than Moseley – it’s that their defence is the poorest in the league. So far they have conceded 512 points and gained only one losing bonus point from their eleven defeats. They could not manage a win until the latter half of October, when they defeated Sale FC and followed that up by beating Leeds, but they were winless in November, and went down 41-24 at Dings Crusaders last time out.
On their visit to Billesley in September, Lions were the first team to receive the six-try treatment, going down 49-21, despite holding a half-time lead. Moseley have in fact won all five previous encounters between the sides, not always quite as convincingly, however. The last match at Westleigh Park, in September 2024, was a somewhat dour affair, with a scoreless second half as Moseley won 7-21. Given the recent weather, the pitch in Blaby is likely to be quite heavy, and this may affect the style of play, with the red-and-blacks finding it a challenge to cross six times once more.
Like Moseley, Lions have a number of players sharing the scoring. With six tries is Bronson Mellowes, a young back row forward in his first season with the club. Hooker Ben Park, also in his first term at Westleigh Park, has five, then there are a number of players with four and three tries. Fly-half Luke Bouchier has handled most of the goalkicking and has 82 points, this including two tries.
Moseley’ clutch of scores included braces for hooker Ben Pogson and winger Sam Clarke, plus singles from Tuoyo Egodo and Ethan Priest, who showed a great turn of pace for a prop on the wing! Ben has now caught up with skipper Ollie Stedman on six tries, while Sam, Ethan and Tuoyo now have four each. Jack Jolly and Tighe Maxwell-Whiteley landed two conversions apiece; Tighe is now second-top scorer behind Tommy Taylor with 32 points vs 46, and Jack has 20 points.
The team will travel in optimistic mood, and a supporters’ coach will follow them in similar spirit. The Moseley fans are bound to be in good voice, and the Lions’ den will resound to the passionate cry:
“Come on Moseley”
