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The
Lions’ faithful left Moseley scratching their heads (as well as other
parts of their anatomy, but that’s another story) wondering how their team
had dominated this game for such long periods, but were unable to convert
pressure into points. The forwards crossed the Moseley line no less than
four times from driving mauls, but each time the defence managed to
prevent the ball from being grounded. Most frustrating of all, on loan
centre Tim O’Shea crossed the line but was deemed not to have grounded the
ball properly without a soul being anywhere near. “Frustrated” comes
nowhere near to describing the feelings of the Few.
On
loan from Coventry Tim Stannard was away on business and was replaced at
lock by on loan from Coventry Dave Campton, who was partnered in the
second row by Steve Smith, who was returning from holiday (not in
Coventry, and not on loan). In the backs, on loan from Coventry Tim
O’Shea took the place of the unlucky Sam Stoop who was relegated to the
bench.
Playing into a stiff breeze, Moseley looked dangerous from the off with a
series of high speed raids that made the Lions’ tackling look paper thin.
Only desperate defence and a series of Moseley handling errors prevented a
score. The defence finally cracked as it was caught offside, and fly half
Ollie Thomas easily converted from in front of the posts. ( 3 – 0 )
Lions were soon on level terms when it was Moseley’s turn to stray offside
following a good Lions’ drive. Jon Boden made no mistake with the kick
from 30 metres. ( 3 – 3 )
Dave Campton was soon in the thick of things, first with an important
cover tackle to thwart yet another dangerous Moseley attack, and then with
a fine catch at the lineout. The Lions’ forwards were looking menacing
and took play fully 20 metres before releasing the backs. Gareth Collins
looked to be heading for a score, but he was just held short and was
penalised for not releasing the ball and Moseley were able to clear.
Another good steal at a Moseley lineout saw Lions driving in again, and
when Ben Buxton was yellow carded for illegal use of the boot, Jon Boden
again stroked over his kick to put Lions in front. ( 3 – 6 )
Jon
Boden was keeping Moseley pegged in their own half with some good line
kicking, but they kept coming back, aided and abetted by some poor Lions’
tackling. It was therefore ironic when Lions were penalised for not
rolling away having made a tackle, and Olly Thomas brought the scores
level. ( 6 – 6 )
That’s the way the score stayed until half time, but both sides should
have had more points on the board. First a lightening break by Dan South
should have seen him under the posts, but having created the opening with
a lovely dummy, he chose to give the ball to the supporting Jon Boden who
was swallowed up by the cover. Then an excellent forward drive took play
over the Moseley line, but a knock on was given as Lions tried to ground
the ball.
At
the other end, only superb defending by Lions and a brilliant tackle by
Dave Campton prevented a couple of Moseley scores. However, the home side
did not help themselves when a 3 man overlap was scorned in favour of an
inside pass that did not go to hand.
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Then came the miss of the match. Strong Lions’ pressure eventually
created the gap, which centre Tim O’Shea gratefully went through.
However, the cheers of the Lions’ faithful quickly turned to groans of
disbelief as, with no-one near him, the centre was deemed not to have
grounded the ball properly. It looked perfectly good to the Lions’
faithful.
Then with the last kick of the half, Jon Boden had the chance to restore
Lions’ lead with a 40 metres penalty, but the ball swung agonisingly wide
of the post.
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What no try -
see the video as well |
Half time
Moseley 6 Lions 6
Playing into the breeze, Lions were soon in trouble on their own line when
untidy ball from a scrum that was going backwards saw Jon Boden’s
clearance fail to make touch. Moseley fullback Stephen Nutt made ground
before a beautifully judged kick to the corner seemed to bamboozle the
whole of the Lions’ defence, and wing James Aston was on the ball in a
flash for a simple try. Ollie Thomas’s conversion attempt from wide out
was wide. ( 11 – 6 )
Lions were moving the ball wide at every opportunity, and Spencer Brown
was soon in full flow, outpacing the cover, but falling to the last line
of defence with a try beckoning. Moseley soon took play back into the
Lions’ half, and when the Lions’ defence was again caught offside, Ollie
Thomas converted to stretch the Moseley lead. ( 14 – 6 )
Tim
O’Shea, who did not really look fit from the start, was replaced by Sam
Stoop who moved to fullback with Lloyd Warner moving to centre, where he
made an immediate impression. Taking the short ball at pace as Lions
again moved the ball wide, he carved through the Moseley defence before
releasing Spencer Brown. Again the wing was hauled down agonisingly
short.
Lions were now camped in the Moseley half, and an excellent forward drive
took Dave Campton over the line, but again the ball could not be
grounded. When Moseley were penalised at the scrum, a Lions’ tap to the
corner should have yielded points, but the lineout was lost, and so
another chance went begging.
With Matt Davies on for Pig Brittin, Lions backs again showed what they
could do, creating the space for Gareth Collins to streak away. The young
wing was held just short, but managed to stay on his feet as the pack
arrived to drive him over. Yes, you guessed it, he could not ground the
ball.
It
was all Lions now, and Moseley just couldn’t get out of their half.
However, nothing was going right for Lions as they strove for the all
important score. At last Moseley managed to break away into unchartered
territory in the Lions’ half, and now it was Lions turn to defend grimly.
A penalty to Moseley should have given them the breathing space they
needed, but the kick was taken to the corner, and solid Lions defending
repulsed a couple of strong Moseley drives to the line.
Again Lions released Gareth Collins, and again he was hauled down
agonisingly short. Lions at last got points on the board with an
excellent strike from 35 metres by Jon Boden when Moseley were penalised.
( 14 – 9 )
Lions camped on the Moseley line for the remaining 5 minutes, but just
could not find a way through for the score that would have at least given
them a share of the spoils that they deserved.
Final result:
Moseley 14 Lions 9
Don's musings
A
frustrating afternoon for everyone at the club. It was just one of those
days when nothing went right, although it should be said that Moseley also
missed a hatful of chances so could have won by a much more convincing
margin. Lions will have to tighten their defence for the visit of
Wharfedale next week. First time big hits must be the order of the day,
not the soft attempts that were in evidence this afternoon. Although
having said that, at other times the defence was superb in keeping Moseley
at bay. Again the Lions attack looked good, creating space for the wings,
but the chances just couldn’t be finished.
Let’s hope that the Lions can get off to a winning start against
Wharfedale for the new Directors, and let’s hope that they are at Webb
Ellis Road to witness it. |
