Round 20: Birmingham Moseley v Albion

It's Round 20 and the end of the season starts to loom. Albion make the visit to Billesley Common to take on Birmingham Moseley with a later than usual 16:30 kick off.

Mose, currently in 10th had a poor start to their season winning only 2 games from the first 11 fixtures and looking like likely candidates for the drop. However, their fortunes have changed, and have secured 4 wins and a draw from the latest 8 matches. Whilst not safe yet, they are in a much better position, but still a little close to the bottom for comfort. Last time out they lost heavily to Blackheath.

Albion have won the last 6 fixtures against Mose, with the last being the 36-21 defeat at Brickfields earlier this season.

Mose have a disproportionately strong and mobile pack, scoring 38 of their 36 tries. The pack has also been effective defensively, however Mose's weakness clearly lies in the backs who have allowed their opposite numbers to score 51 tries out of a total 71.

Generally try scoring by Mose has been fairly consistent throughout games, however, whilst they are very tight with defending the first quarter, from the second quarter onwards they allow greater opportunities to the opposition.

Albion will want to play an open game to allow the backs plenty of opportunity to find the weaknesses in Mose's back line. Mose, meanwhile, will want to keep the ball amongst the forwards, and work from rucks and mauls. On their day Mose can cause an upset having claimed the scalps of Blackheath and Rams.

The referee for the day will be Owen Taylor. This will be his second game this season at NL1 level, having previously been the man in the middle for 6 matches in NL2N. In NL1 he refereed for last weeks match at Rotherham v Dings, given a card to each side. He will no doubt be aware that of the 9 cards received by Albion, 4 have gone to Jack Oulton. Mose have collected 15 cards one of which was straight red issued to Sam McNulty at the start of the season.

Player to watch: Any one of the back row of the pack, but in particular Morgan Stedan at 8 and the openside flanker, Morgan Dawes. Both have 8 tries this season, sharing the top spot.

Weather: A spell of light rain should clear by kick-off, but it will remain overcast. A moderate to strong South-westerly breeze will blow along the length of the pitch from the exposed end. Despite the late kick-off, the late afternoon temperatures should hold at 9° throughout the game.

Prediction: Win for Albion.

Other games of note:

Leicester Lions (14th) v Leeds Tykes (11th} - Leeds will be looking to leapfrog Mose and clamber out of the relegation play-off spot. If a miracle is going to save the Lions, it really need to start now.
Tonbridge Juddians v (7th) Rotherham Titans (1st} - Albion's rivals for the title could have a tough job on their hands.
Blackheath (3rd) v Rams (6th} - In the 2nd promotion play-off spot Blackheath should extend their unbeaten home wins to 8, but Rams will want to reduce the 11 point gap.
Rosslyn Park v (5th) v Sale FC (4th} - Sale are 7 points clear of Park and 4 behind Blackheath. All will be eyeing up the 2nd playoff place.