Lions show their teeth but get a mauling

49

Birmingham
Moseley

V

21

Leicester
Lions

Jon Meadows reports

Lions started proceedings kicking down the slope and were quickly on the scoresheet, Theodore Mannion running a great line from deep giving Luke Bouchier an easy kick.

Following the restart both teams traded possession and territory, Bouchier having two opportunities with penalties from just inside home territory, both missed to the left. Moseley began to stir with both forwards and backs taking the game to the opposition and were rewarded with a fairly simple penalty for Tommy Taylor to open his account on 15 minutes. He would have another opportunity 10 minutes later following another spell of Moseley pressure bringing the game to within a point.

Somewhat against the run of play Lions found themselves in Moseley’s 22 and were awarded a couple of penalties to touch. The second of these gave a 5 metre lineout which was safely gathered, Ben Park finishing the drive, Bouchier successfully adding the extras.

With half time fast approaching Moseley continued to press with Taylor given another easy three points. There was just time for the restart which saw once again Moseley desire to attack. Passing the ball across their back line Lions winger James Subbs intercepted and ran in from Moseley’s 10 metre line, Bouchier bring the half time whistle with a simple kick and a 9-21 scoreline.

Roared on by a vocal home crowd the hosts started the second period on the front foot. Given a penalty on the visitors 5 metres Moseley opted for the scrum. Will Safe finished a dominant forwards move for Taylor to add to his tally.

It was as if someone had flicked a switch. Following the restart Moseley had a lineout on their 10 metres. Successfully gathered there was a bit of a drive before Dan Brough broke down the blindside. Running down the left wing he got to within 5 metres. The ball was quickly recycled and worked to the right hand side, Tuoyo Egodo finishing a two on one overlap in the corner, Taylor narrowly missing a difficult kick.

Pressurised by their opponents any Lions possession became laboured. Moseley hunting in packs showed no mercy and were quickly upon any loose ball.

Ethan Priest finished a slow drive from about 8 metres. He added a second 10 minutes later finishing a sustained period in the 5 metre channel, Taylor making light work both times. As if he didn’t have enough to do with his kicking duties he found himself hacking through a loose ball off a defensive scum. Winning the foot race he touched down and duly converted his own try.

Moseley continued to dominate, Morgan Dawes finishing another catch and drive, Taylor putting the ball through the posts. Not for the want of trying it was the last score of the afternoon. Adam Balding was obviously pleased. He thought the first half was a bit lethargic, they gathered at half time and had a couple of honest words and thought the boys came out superbly in the second half showing high levels of energy and physicality.