An obdurate Moseley take the win

32

Birmingham
Moseley

V

19

Blackheath

Jon Meadows reports

Blackheath kicked off up the slope and were quickly on the scoresheet. A line out on the Moseley ten metre line was thrown to the front and the ball was worked down the blindside. Coming into contact they managed a half break and with some clever interchange passing Jordan Burns finished to give Kyle McGhie an easy kick.

Moseley were quick to respond, a penalty kicked to about six metres set up a catch and drive. With all but three of the backs joining in the outcome was inevitable giving Ben Pogson the score, the conversion going narrowly wide.

Possession ebbed and flowed between the teams but the visitors’ showed signs of what was to come, offloads in the tackle keeping the ball alive and switches in direction were keeping Moseley on their toes but it was the hosts who added to their tally. A poor clearance gave them a line out a couple of metres inside the opposition 22. Ollie Stedman with a great take at the back fed Morgan Dawes who worked round the corner before feeding Tuoyo Egodo for an easy run in, Tighe Maxwell-Whiteley adding the extras.

The hosts were beginning to enjoy the lion’s share of possession and were rewarded with an almost carbon copy of their first try, except that Maxwell-Whiteley was successful from the tee. Moseley continued to press and received a 22 drop out. Running the ball back it was worked out to the left and a break down the line saw Dan Brough score in the corner, the try bonus secured with nine minutes until half time. It was the last real action before the break with a 24 – 7 scoreline.

Moseley started the second period strongly but failed to add to their tally. Instead, with ten second half minutes played the game was to turn. Working the ball of the top of a line out in their own half Blackheath got up to halfway, working the ball to the left and a break down the line. Halted illegally a quick tap and go from the penalty saw them into the home 22. An almost certain try was halted by an illegal knock down from Finn Smith and a resultant yellow card. The penalty giving a 5-metre lineout and catch and drive for William Harding to touch down, McGhie again successful.

Capitalising on their speed of hand and superior numbers Oskar Hirskyj-Douglas narrowed the gap to just five points, touching down under the posts, the conversion somehow unsuccessful.

Still a man down Moseley managed to double that lead, a long kick into space in the visitors 22 was gathered but some strong counter rucking led to a turnover. The ball popped out to Egodo whose wonderful show and go allowed him to stroll in, the kick narrowly missing to the left of the posts.

With 25 minutes left the home side started to come under the cosh. Displaying all the skills that were glimpsed in the first half along with tap and goes from any penalty, Blackheath came wave after wave at their hosts. Visiting scrum half Jordan Burns continued to orchestrate proceedings and call the tunes, but Moseley refused to dance. Blackheath were always just a half break away from a score but to Moseley’s immense credit it never came.

With five minutes remaining they did manage to get the ball over the line but the referee adjudged it to be held up. It was almost their last throw of the dice, with visibly tiring legs and cramp setting in the hosts managed to gain some semblance of control. Awarded a penalty in a central area but some 35 metres out Tommy Taylor stepped up to slap the ball through the middle of the posts for the final whistle and relief and delight in equal measure for the home supporters.

Speaking to Adam Balding, he was understandably proud of the performance. He paid tribute to Blackheath who “threw the kitchen sink at us”. He also paid credit to the coaches and players who have had to make changes to the way we play to suit the players available. “It takes courage” and it certainly paid of today. “I think it sends out a strong message from this group that when we get it right, we can beat anybody.