Moseley Mission Successfully Completed
By Almostatyke
October 27 2013
Moseley’s Billington Common ground is the polar opposite of Doncaster in that it is a ground that we have never lost on. If we are going to move on from our successful start to the season and cement our place in the play-off zone of the Championship, then four or five points at perennial relegation –strugglers Moseley is a mandatory requirement.
On the fun bus heading south down the M1, the twelve disciples (because that is all that took up the coach offer) were in confident mood. The selected team had more or less kept us all happy - great to see the key players fit - and only minor gripes over whether Lozzer or Hughes should start and whether Hughes kicking would falter in a close match. I was entirely happy with J-Lo’s selected team and pleased to observe that he was getting used to travelling up and down the M1 instead of across the country on the M62.
The matrix signs on the M1 were warning us to expect windy weather on Sunday night and on arrival at the ground it was clear that already a strong breeze was blowing down the slope and that this was going to influence the pattern of the match. I have no idea who won the toss but Leeds starting playing uphill and against the wind.
We started by trying to run the ball from our 22 metre line but, sure enough, having made about 10 metres we made a mistake, punished by a penalty which Moseley’s dead-eye dick full back sent through our posts. So after 3 minutes Moseley had only touched the ball twice; the kick-off and the penalty kick, but we were 3 – 0 down. We re-grouped and a penalty was slotted over by Hughes against the wind. It was clear at this stage that both the hopeful expectations of open flowing rugby was not going to happen – a combination of the weather conditions and Moseley’s ability to tackle at Championship level (unlike Gala). But the team continued to play like it was a sunny afternoon in York: result, a 50 metre penalty slotted over by Moseley and we were 6 – 3 down.
Sense now seemed to kick in with some pragmatic play and our forwards were really getting into gear, and the Moseley pack was pushed back until eventually a rolling maul resulted in a try, credited to Phil Nilsen. Unfortunately the kick-off was mis-managed and Moseley scored a try; although not having an overlap our flappy tackles were brushed aside. The conversion was missed but we were 10 – 11 down.
We continued to take the game to Moseley and the pressure resulted in their Hooker being sin-binned. Then following a line-out and concerted forward pressure Hughes got over the line on the right to score against his old club. Although unable to convert (a tricky kick against the wind) we went into half-time 15 -11 in front. Reflecting at half time - not a fluent performance so far, but we were playing up hill and against a strong wind. Our pack was superior in the scrums and the line-outs were 100 % successful. With the wind and slope in our favour in the second half things were going to get better for sure?
The second half started in a disappointing fashion with mistakes from both teams. Unfortunately for Moseley their full-back goal kicker had to leave the field injured and shortly after Carnegie pressure resulted in a brilliant break by Hampo who off-loaded to Doc to score try number three. Hughes converted making the score 22 – 11. We were now half way into the second half, time for substitutions, and I am sure that Phil Daly’s report will say who went off and on, but I will only report that Graham came on for Plug and the line-out throws became a bit of a problem, although Graham’s tackling was excellent.
With about 12 minutes to go Fred/Eric Burdon made a really good break, putting in a grubber kick that sat up perfectly for Jonan Holmes to score on the right. This came as a really quality bolt from the blue , making it 27 -11 as the conversion was missed. We now had a try bonus point and were starting to look comfortable. Then Kirsty , who otherwise had a pretty forgettable match, put in an audacious wind-assisted drop goal attempt from about 50 metres which sailed narrowly past the left hand post. But Moseley refused to give up and as a result of their pressure Buzz was yellow carded with about 8 minutes to go. Surely we couldn’t snatch defeat from the jaws of victory? Moses’ inevitable try came with about 5 minutes to go but our 14 man defence held firm to the finish. Final score 27 – 18 and 5 points.
Two other things stick in my memory: one Damien Tussac the only player to shake us by the hand after the match “ je parle enough English…” and sadly the Moseley assistant coach verbally abusing the female touch judge, Claire Daniels, who had correctly called a Moseley kick as directly into touch.
So mission accomplished and objectives all realised. Not a fluent, sparking performance by any means but we were playing away against a gritty Moseley side and the weather did not suit our default playing style. We will need to be more flexible and may need to be more pragmatic when playing play-off contenders (starting next week). Hughes, albeit playing on a ground he knows well, played well and kicked well from the tee. It is the sign of a good team when you win when not playing well and that is what we did today. The forwards set up the victory so my bottle of virtual champagne for man of the match has to go to a forward. Tricky to single anyone out for fear of insulting the others but I will give the award to Phil Nilsen for an excellent performance, a try and successful line-out throws in a very difficult wind.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:10:31:07:42:30 by Gelbel.
In many ways it sounds like this was the perfect result for us building towards the showdown with Oxford Welsh.
If we had gone there and hammered them there may have been a chance of complacency creeping in after the recent big wins against Gala and Ealing.
But, as it is, we took the 5 points and got a reminder of what you need to do to win a match at championship level.
All good at the moment.
My person of the match has to go to the lady sat at the entrance to the stand who forced Andy Robinson and entourage to pay for their seats in the stand. Well done that lady!
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No doubt Andy R had come to Moseley to get some tips on how rugby should be played. A relatively poor performance by the Leeds team, (still resulting in a 5 point win), and no doubt he walked away from the match confident that the "big" club will put our "young pretenders" to the sword at our next meetings.
I doubt that the performance yesterday by our lads will be repeated again this season. We have a young side that is still learning. And they will have learned a lesson yesterday. Things will improve. It was a difficult day, particularly having had two "easy" matches preceding this one and perhaps over confidence played a part in our game plan.
And now for an opportunity to test our metal against the Exiles and Titans. Can't wait!
Well done guys!
5 points away will suffice.
Loved the thumbs up behind his back from Tussac just before kick-off.
The Moseley chap still had his teddy out the cot in their post match huddle.
Like I was there!
Zandra YaPoI
YaPoI - Yorkshire and Proud of It
'proficiscor in una'
[moseleysupporters.proboards.com]
Generally positive with one noticeable exception!
COME ON LEEDS.
We've been through it all together.
In tight matches and IF we make the play offs we will certainly need more consistency...
especially if Lozo succumbs to injury.
And now the REAL rugby begins!!I think the next 5 games may well define our season...a confident run with real Premiership aspiration...like the end of last season...is what we are all hoping for ...and next week we will certainly need a solid and mature performance against Welsh given their convincing victory over Pirates this wekend?
Steady nerves will be needed!!!!!!We now have the ability in spades...and many options...front and back...so lets hope we all turn up!...and the team too!
Quote:Selby Kev
Good yarn Almo...excellent breakdown. I hope you were more reassured by Hughes after the frustrations of Gala at York and our deliberations?.
Steady nerves will be needed!!!!!!We now have the ability in spades...and many options...front and back...so lets hope we all turn up!...and the team too!
Kev,
I think Hughes is a capable kicker and any underperformance has been a confidence/teething trouble issue. His kicking from hand and general play has been a step-up from what we have been used to.
J-Lo seems to be the sort of leader that inspires confidence and determination in players. As you said we have the ability, and if we can keep "turning up" or even winning when things aren't quite right, then the future is so bright we will all need sunglasses.
I wasn't born in Yorkshire but I got here as soon as I could
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:10:27:19:16:36 by almostatyke.
Somewhere under the pile of bodies is Nilsen dotting down for our first try:
Doc flying over for his try.
Matt Smith airborne to take another line out
Here is the Moseley attack shrugging of some weak tackles.
Hampo on the attack from another strong scrum
Hampo trying to exploit the short side
and failing
Glyn Hughes lining up a kick against his former team:
Moseley's 6 avoiding the action
Ben Harris stopping Scud before he gets going
Leeds defence pressing near the Moseley line
On the positive side the tackling (save for the first Mose try) was really solid and there doesn't appear to be a "weak" defender on the pitch. The lads appear to be really together as a unit and the communication is really evident. The backs look very sharp when they get the opportunities especially on the wings. Hampo is on fire at the moment and with every game Hughes is looking more and more the signing we had been hoping for. Main positive though is a bonus point win away from home even when at half bore.
Full credit to Mose for the way they kept it in hand second half and I wish them well for the rest of the season (apart from when they visit Headingley!).
It was refreshing to see a solid scrum. It has been awhile since I last observed that.
I got a good view of Holmes try and Fred Burns swerve and kick was was a cracker.
Plaudits to Moseley for good tackling, a decent pint of IPA and, most of all, free mini mars bars dispensed by the ladies on the ticket booth.
I arrived early and they weren't dishing out out Mars Bars then.......just a nice smile and thanks for the money!
No justice!
Up the Carnegie TYKES!