A disappointing day at the office

15

Birmingham
Moseley

V

33

Rotherham

Jon Meadows reports

It was a perfect afternoon with conditions set fair for an entertaining and free flowing game of rugby. Unfortunately neither team seemed to want to oblige

The first quarter was devoid of anything noteworthy, although Moseley did have an early chance. A kick forward to the visitors 22 bounced kindly into the arms of Perry Humphreys. Breaking for the line, he was not quick enough to evade the covering tackle and an off load came to nothing.

Rotherham would have a similar chance ten minutes later, Jackson Barling collecting the bouncing ball in the Moseley 22, but was stopped just short. The visitors retained possession but their time in the 5 metre channel came to an end when a pass out wide was adjudged forward.

The penalty count against Moseley was beginning to mount and finally proved their undoing, Richard Hayes given a fairly simple chance to open the scoring from inside the home 22. He would increase his tally a few minutes later, with Rotherham on the offensive he received the ball and a dummy pass saw him clear to the line to touch down and give himself a simple conversion.

A period of broken play followed, but with Moseley continuing to ire the referee, Will Safe was given a ten minute rest period, Hayes accepting another three easy points.

This seemed to stir something in the Mosley ranks and with ten minutes left to the half time whistle they were the better side, despite being a man down. Their efforts were finally rewarded when Sam Clarke found some space on the right wing to score in the corner. Tighe Maxwell-Whiteley narrowly missed a difficult kick and the referee blew for half time.

The hosts started the second half brightly and were quickly on the scoreboard, Maxwell-Whiteley with a penalty from in front.

Rotherham were beginning to enjoy sustained period of possession but were unable to make any progress through an impressive defensive line, until an incomplete tackle allowed the visitors through, Luckas Sableman-Blue on hand to receive the ball and touch down, Hayes again with the kick.

Moseley fought back, and found themselves with a lineout some twenty five metres out. Successfully gathered, Morgan Dawes took the ball round the back and got deep into the 22 and quick ball saw Moseley up to the line. After several iterations Fin Smith found a way through under the posts to give Tommy Taylor a simple opportunity to bring the scores within five.

Any thoughts of an upset were scuppered as Moseley continued to annoy the referee at the breakdown. Two further penalties from Hayes and a late try from Ellis Thomas with Hayes again successful completed the scoring.

Perhaps credit should be given to Mosley for being the first side this season to prevent Rotherham scoring a try bonus point. Your correspondent does not think this will be high in the mind of the coaches and players.