Birmingham Moseley edged out Dings Crusaders 35-31 in a hard-fought contest, with a late try from Thomas Knight and a last gasp push from the visitors not enough to complete a comeback and snatch victory
Dings struck first following some good build up play, the ball eventually coming to Harry Rowson on the left wing who had space to run into the corner, a difficult conversion falling short in the breeze
Moseley started to have the better of possession and territory but without adding to their score. Indeed it was the visitors who came closest with just their second meaningful incursion into home territory, however the home defence remained strong and cleared from the back of a scrum.
Continuing to take the game to their visitors the home team were once again in the ascendancy, but it would take a while for another meaningful opportunity. Gathering a kick inside their own 10 metres the ball was worked through several phases before Noah Cowan broke up field. Morgan Dawes was tracking and received the ball, skipped through a tackle to touch down giving Read a simple opportunity.
Moseley continued to have the upper hand, aided by some strong scrummaging. However more close range opportunities passed them by. From another 5 metre line out the ball was spun into the centre, Elliot Creed with enough momentum to carry him under the posts. Read’s formality drew the half time whistle for a 21-5 lead which seemed scant reward for the positivity of the home team’s display.
And so it came back to bite. Dings restart for the second half went almost straight down the middle. Taken by surprise no Moseley player was able to get to the ball before it bounced. Gathered by Dings a sustained period of pressure ensued, Samuel Scott eventually crossing in the left corner, Sam Berry adding the extras.
Matthew Bowler soon finished another fine move from the visitors to cut the deficit further, Berry’s kick rebounding off the left upright which would prove costly
The remaining 30 minutes became a shootout. With both teams committing to a running game it was Read who turned a half break into a score which he converted. Back came Dings, Thompson burrowing through from short range, Berry this time using the posts to his advantage
And so the see saw continued. It was Dings turn to have the upper hand in possession, only for a loose kick to come to Jack Condliffe on his own 10 metres. With space Infront he burst down the right wing before feeding Cowan to run in for his second, Read again from the tee.
Moseley had the opportunity to put the game to bed, but a simple fumble from a pass allowed Dings to hack forward, Thomas Knight gathering to run in, Berry with the extras
Dings finished much the stronger and with time running out they were camped in the home 5 metre line. Fortunately for the home team they lost the ball forward. With the referee indicating there was less than a minute remaining Moseley looked after the ball before clearing to touch for the final whistle.
Birmingham Moseley: Condliffe, Clarke, Nevitt, Creed, Armstrong, Read(H), Cowan; Priest, Pogson, Wright, Allen, Butler, Masters-Safe, Dawes, Yallop
Replacements: Read(O), Barwood, Smith, Wrottesley, Glackin
Dings Crusaders: O’Grady, Rowson, Hendy, Boulton, Taufa, Sinclair, Jones; Stanley, Cantwell, Andrews, Thompson, Bilton, Bowler, Jenkins, Holcombe
Replacements: Cartwright, Scott, Papp, Knight, Berry
Referee: Owen Taylor
Scoreline: 35-31 (HT: 21-5)
Moseley
Tries: Cowan(6, 70), Dawes(25 ), Creed(39), Read(61)
Conversions: Read(7, 26, 40, 62,71)
Dings Crusaders
Tries: Rowson(3), Scott(42), Bowler(48), Thompson(64), Knight(76)
Conversions: Berry(43, 49, 77)
