Late double from Smith & Painter secures full points

35

Birmingham
Moseley

V

13

Blackheath

Blackheath started proceedings and soon drew a penalty on the home twenty-two, Tom Ffitch taking an easy 3 points.

Moseley would enjoy the majority of territory and possession for the next quarter with several close-range set pieces but being unable to break through an obdurate defence, it was to be the visitors who would add to their score. From a scrum inside their own half the ball was worked to the left finding a hole in the line an inevitable overlap allowed Paul Schroter to finish with Ffitch again successful.

The home team would soon be back to the visitor’s line, a penalty kicked to touch on about seven metres, the lineout was safely gathered. The initial drive was resisted before David Langley burrowed through from short-range giving Jack Jolly a shot at goal. Looking to be going to the right of the posts a wicked curl at the end saw the ball sail through the middle.

Blackheath overthrew a line out halfway inside the Moseley half. The ball was gathered and kicked to halfway, bouncing kindly from the outstretched arms towards their own goal line Morgan Adderley Jones was on hand to gather and run in unopposed. Jolly added the extras in a less dramatic style.

From the restart it was the visitors turn to enjoy some possession and territory, gaining a penalty just outside the home twenty-two. Ffitch calmly stepped up to complete the first half scoring, the whistle blowing five minutes later for the halftime score line 14 – 13

The second half was more or less one way traffic played almost exclusively in Blackheath territory. Moseley had a scrum from five metres which would be reset half a dozen times, mostly due to the visiting packs indiscretions. It was during this period that David Langley would receive an injury requiring extended treatment. Thankfully, although looking a little dazed he was able to leave the field unaided.

Scrummaging resumed, Ollie Steadman broke of the back but once again the defence was strong and the ball lost forward, Moseley penalised for not rolling away. Blackheath kicked to touch but overthrew the lineout. They scrambled to retain possession and pass the ball out wide but sloppy handling let the ball bounce free. Moseley pounced, Adderley Jones running in for his second, Jolly securing his hat trick for the second week running.

It had been a hard fought physical encounter and Moseley seemed to tire, Blackheath taking advantage with a line break. Jolly tracking back made perhaps a try saving tackle but in doing so drew the referees ire who showed him to the stands. A fairly easy three points were turned in favour of a five-metre attacking lineout which Moseley disrupted and the ball cleared up field.

The game was becoming more open, Blackheath throwing the ball around but making mistakes as they went. One such occasion gave Moseley a scum just inside the visitor’s half. Drawing another penalty the referee obviously losing patience with a yellow card to Archie Holland.

Moseley would once more camp on their visitors’ line without success. A kick to halfway was gathered and worked to the right wing, Freddie Painter scorching down the line before passing to Aquile Smith for the score, Thomas Taylor with the conversion.

Painter would have a score of his own with an intercepted pass. Showing the defence a clean pair of heals he ran down the right hand side before curving infield to touch down under the post giving Taylor the easiest of conversions.

There was just time for the restart before the ball was kicked to touch for the final whistle.

DOR Adam Balding was pleased with a complete performance and was quick to mention the coaches once again, with the work shown on the pitch reflecting what goes on off it. Looking forward to the trip to Plymouth next week he said “they don’t get any easier, do they”

Jon Meadows