Chris Bertram on a challenging away trip

Round 1, and Cambridge were the visitors as the new National League 1 campaign got under way under bright sunshine with only the gentlest of breezes.  There must have been some first night nerves in the squad, particularly among the debutants, but these were soon settled as Birmingham Moseley established a clear lead by half time and defended that lead to win 38-33.  While the visitors’ two early tries might have seemed ominous, the team showed its resilience to overturn the lead, never to lose it again.  A five-pointer to start the season will have  been just what the team, coaches and supporters were hoping for; some doomsayers from elsewhere have had to eat their words.  Home wins add up quickly, and making Billesley Common a fortress will be a key part of a successful season.

Particularly encouraging was the fluency of much of the play, with the backs running good lines of support and passing to men in space.  The forwards often made ground in the tackle, and provided a solid platform for attack, and the defence was generally well-organised.  Some excellent place-kicking by Harry Read kept the scoreboard moving too.  All these aspects of the game added up to a fine performance. 

But there can be little time to dwell on last Saturday, as Round 2 comes up, and with it the first away trip of the season.  Heywood Road will be the venue, and old friends Sale FC the hosts.  Sale began their campaign with an eight try, 50-22 win away at Rams, a team normally secure at home.  They clearly mean business and while the welcome off the field will no doubt be warm, on the pitch it will be a different matter.

Last season’s top scorers for Sale were scrum-half Joseph Green with 150 points, while full back Mark Dixon and hooker Nathan Langdon bagged ten tries each.  Green and Dixon were both on the scoresheet at Rams, with Green registering a hat-trick.  Fly-half James Mitchell landed five conversions.  Keeping Green quiet in particular would seem to be a key aim, but their scoring threat comes from all areas of the park, and Moseley’s defence will have to be on top alert.

Early scoring exploits for Moseley came last week in the form of tries for centres Elliot Creed and Austin Nevitt, and full back Jack Condliffe on his league debut for the club.  The forwards missed out this time but will consider themselves to have earned the penalty try awarded for a collapsed maul.  Harry Read showed great composure in converting two tries and making four penalties count.  Others will doubtless add themselves to this list over the coming weeks and months.

A satisfying start, then, and the team will travel up the M6 with confidence, knowing that the moves that they have been working on in training can be effective once the whistle has gone.  They will be accompanied by a supporters’ coach and a number of independent travellers, all encouraged by last week’s win, and prepared to cheer the boys in red and black on with the passionate cry:

“Come on Moseley”