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Match Reports:

Saturday 6th March 2010 - Handsworth 19 - v - Moseley Oak 15 

Having beaten Handsworth at home earlier in the Season this match was one where Moseley knew they had to win set piece ball.  The fact is that you can't win games if you can't win your ball in the scrummage and Moseley Oak were unable to do so.  The Handsworth front row gave their Moseley opponents a torrid time in the scrummage and as well as losing most of their own put-ins Moseley had to make do with untidy ball when they did occasionally win it.
 
The line-out was a little better and Handsworth dominance of this area of play was less marked.
 
Moseley played up the hill in the first half and despite the pre-match focus on not giving away foolish penalties two were conceded to Handsworth, one after a Moseley player had kicked the ball away right under the nose of the Referee and another for side entry at the break down.  Paul Rogers converted both penalties.  Moseley defended valiantly and despite a series of charged down kicks stayed in touch.  Eventually Handsworth managed a score through full back John Macey who made a clever run to touch down under the posts without a hand laid on him.  The try was converted. 
 
The bright areas of the first half were Moseley's defence, and a fine run by number 8, Dan Lavander, who scored uphill having broken through a number of tackles.  He later tore a hamstring and as Moseley's most dynamic forward was sorely missed.
 
In the second half Moseley really should have done enough to win.  The game plan was to kick long into the downhill corners pinning Handsworth in their own half.  The three things that prevented this strategy working were poor kicking, the lack of ball with which to kick and the fact that Handsworth know their own pitch and have a strategy for playing uphill. 
 
Moseley came close at the start of the second half when centre, Jack Richards, received the ball on the left, side stepped outside and after a 30 metre run was hauled into touch close to the Handsworth line.  Minutes later Moseley scored a second try when winger, Jaymes Walsh, had a run on the right and for once,  fast ball was recycled, moved across the pitch and Jack Richards outpaced the defence to score in the left hand corner.  Following further Moseley attacks, a Matt Whitehead penalty put them in front at 15 - 13 with 10 minutes remaining.  Moseley really had to hang on to the ball and kick it into the Handsworth 22, however, it ended up with Handsworth on the offensive and Moseley once again giving away a penalty.
 
Despite the pace of their backs Moseley's inability to win and retain the ball and their dreadful afternoon in the scrummage keeps them deep in the relegation zone.  They need to somehow beat Telford at home, however, without a scrummage and without the ball it is going to be a tough ask.