Moseley rue the penalty count in a see-saw encounter

32

Birmingham
Moseley

V

33

Plymouth
Albion

Jon Meadows reports

Moseley started proceedings by kicking up the slope and were soon on the board. Ollie Allsopp kicked a delightful 50-22 to within six metres to set up a line out, catch and drive. Ben Pogson touched down for Jack Jolly to land a difficult conversion.

Plymouth soon hit back with two quick penalties to Thomas Putt before Harry Wilkinson profited from another Mosely infringement, crashing through following a five metre tap and go.

Back came Moseley with a sustained phase of pressure, Morgan Adderly-Jones finishing in the corner from Allsopp’s line break.

The see-saw tipped back again, Wilkinson finishing a fine move in the right corner for the visitors, Putt with the extras. Back and forth they went before Angus Hodges extended the visitors lead with a line break for their third try, a tricky conversion missed. Jolly would reduce the lead by three points with a late penalty to finish the first half scoring.

Plymouth were quickly off the mark in the second period, Jack Oulton finishing from a close quarter scrum, Putt with the extras.

Back it came in Moseley’s favour, Morgan Dawes finishing another catch and drive from five metres, Jolly again successful. He would add another three points 4 minutes later with a close-range penalty.

With the score standing at 25-30 the hosts continued to press and Plymouths defence had to be at their best. It would be a full seven minutes before the scoreboard was troubled again, unfortunately another indiscretion from the home team gave substitute kicker Connor Eastgate the chance to slot what would become a vital score.

Moseley refused to lie down, Tommy Taylor finishing a sustained onslaught from short range with Jolly bringing the scoreline to a single point.

With just ten minutes to play a tense finish was on the cards. It was Plymouths turn to apply pressure of their own with several short-range line outs. Moseley however were in a disruptive move and were stealing most of the throws and the game continued to ebb and flow.

With four minutes left Plymouth had another lineout, halfway inside the home 22. Successfully gathered to set up a slow drive Moseley were penalised once more. Opting to take the scrum the visitors drew another penalty, a scenario that would repeat itself several times. Finally, with 60 seconds remaining they opted to go for the posts, Eastgate taking his time before pulling the ball wide of the upright for the final whistle.

Plymouth Head Coach Ryan Lamb paid compliment to the home team and commented about what a difficult place it is to come, so to get 5 points on the road is fantastic and keeps their momentum going.

For his part Moseley DOR Adam Balding said he thought it was a good game of rugby. “Plymouth played well, but so did we.” He said that the first half penalty count had cost them dearly and was obviously disappointed with the loss.