MOSELEY OAK WIN CLOSE ENCOUTER AT SILHILLIANS                                     


Moseley Oak won their second game in succession away at the excellent Silhillians facility in Solihull.


On a first class playing surface Moseley Oak performed well in the first 10 minutes and after a heel against the head, Dan Lavander’s drive came close to scoring as he was tackled into touch.


Silhillians began to get in to the game and a high ball saw their No.10 win possession and breakaway towards the Moseley line.  He was chased down by Moseley Centre, Jack Richards, about 15 metres from the Moseley line and following this excellent Moseley defence saw them survive.


After 14 minutes of the first half, Silhillians mounted their own pressure based on an ever improving scrum and after a series of pick drives they scored to the right of the posts through Jack Podolski.  The try was not converted.


Despite being under pressure in the scrummage, Moseley Oak began to launch some drives and after a strong forward effort headed by Duncan White, Silhillians were penalised for slowing the ball and Dan Pons converted the penalty.  Two minutes later a similar effort from Ed Gardner resulted in Silhillians again being penalised for not rolling away from the ruck with Dan Pons once again being successful with the boot.


One minute later a midfield drive from Jack Richards followed up by Dan Lavander, saw Jon Perks confuse the outside defence before putting Antonio Soloman into the left hand corner.  The try was converted and Moseley led 13 – 5 at half time.

The second half began with Silhillians once again dominating the scrummage and following a heel against the head, 10 metres out from the Moseley Oak line, Silhillians scored to the left of the post which converted.

 

Eight minutes later, Silhillians were awarded a penalty and elected to kick to touch.  The resulting lineout and rolling ball saw another Silhillians try.


Eleven minutes later, the dominant Silhillians scrummage saw Moseley Oak penalised with the award of a penalty try putting Silhillians into the lead 24 – 13.


At this stage the game looked all over for Moseley Oak with only 9 minutes left, however, the team rallied well and after a series of penalties and excellent Moseley forward pressure, a gap appeared at the ruck which was gratefully taken by Dan Pons who scored under the posts and converted his own try.

On 80 minutes Moseley Oak was still attacking with vigour with the forwards exerting real pressure.  As the final whistle was about to be blown, Duncan White powered over with Dan Pons converting, giving Moseley a hard fought win by 27 – 24.


Still some match fitness and set piece issues for Moseley Oak, however, a wonderful defensive effort was underpinned by players who simply refused to give in when all looked lost.  Much more to come.

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