A Bad Day at the Office

24

Rams

V

7

Birmingham
Moseley

Jon Meadows reports

Moseley kicked off proceedings and had a bright opening which came to an abrupt end when home centre Rowan Grundy grabbed an interception on his own 22. Running down the left hand side he fed Tomek Pozniak who ran in unhindered to score under the posts for an easy conversion for Fraser Honey on 9 minutes.

The visitors would spend much of the next period of time in their own half, with the officials not very pleased by their scrummaging technique. It was from such an offence that gave rise to a 5 metre catch and drive. Despite Moseley’s best efforts the home team scored their second, Ryan Lomas touching down, Honey missing a difficult kick.

The second quarter saw two evenly matched teams unable to make any meaningful impression upon their opponents, the half time whistle blew with the score line at 12 -0

A misfiring line out and continuing scrummaging woes were allowing the home team to apply pressure. Sam Pointon trying to intercept a long pass was given a yellow card for a deliberate knock on. Things were to get worse for the visitors soon afterwards, Tighe Maxwell-Whiteley red carded for a dangerous tackle.

As would be expected with a two man advantage Rams took the game to their visitors but were unable to break through a resolute defence. The hosts were down to 14, Morgan Macrae carded, but continued to apply pressure. Numerical advantage finally counting, Zachary Clow finished a fine move, Honey adding the extras.

Moseley responded from the restart, Rams conceding several penalties. A catch and drive from distance by the visitors was brought down illegally, the referee awarding a penalty try and ordering Max Hayman to the stands.

The hosts continued to press for the bonus point score and were given a helping hand when the referee completed his version of a five card trick, Will Safe adjudged to bring down a maul unlawfully. Robie Stapley would peel of the back of a close range scrum down the blindside to complete the scoring.

In what had become a testy affair there was just time for a tackle so late on Ollie Stedman that had the referee seen it he would surely have gone bust.

DOR Adam Balding simply commented that Rams are top of the table for a reason. “We’ve come here, it’s a tough place to go, we knew it was going to be a tough day at the office.” He was proud of the resolve the lads showed when down to 13 and is looking forward to the return fixture.