MOSELEY OAK 1st XV vs STAFFORD 1st XV. 9th JANUARY 2016.

Moseley Oak 54 – 7 Stafford

Stafford travelled to Moseley Oak for the first league game of 2016 for what was always going to be a tough afternoon of rugby against a Moseley side unbeaten in the league this season. All of the pitches were showing the worst effects of the weather but after agreeing the best of what was available, the game commenced on a surface which at least had visible patches of grass and leant towards an occasional flat area without noticeable divots.

The heavy well drilled Moseley pack demonstrated why the Birmingham side were topping the table with four clinical tries in the first quarter which secured the bonus point and effectively took away any chance of victory from the visitors. Stafford were finding life difficult against a strong home side performance but the playing conditions also sapped the life out of any momentum which the visitors tried to build. A period of tenacious play saw Stafford claw their way into a period of consistency and the Moseley defence had to work hard to smother the probing attacks. A superb break by Rich Martin eventually ripped open the home side releasing a flying Dave Wareham to get within touching distance of the line for the best opportunity of the half. Stafford continued their good period of pressure but the home side pounced on a loose ball their solid pack, marching down the pitch and eventually being awarded a penalty try. An injury to Matt Walklate caused a hasty reshuffle of the Stafford XV and a yellow card temporarily reduced the visitors to fourteen players, closing down what had been a long half of rugby. Stafford went into half time trailing by 33 – 0 and struggling to contain a solid performance from the league leaders.

With the half time team talk ringing in their ears, Stafford came roaring into the second half. Moseley were rolled back deep into their own half and the Stafford onslaught saw the home side defending on their own line. With the bit between their teeth the visitors weren’t to be denied, using all of their experience and guile to get the ball over the line, Rich Martin scoring the try and subsequent conversion. Moseley responded with two tries against the valiant Stafford squad. Injuries started to mount for the visitors and with only fourteen intact players on the pitch, the substitutes bench was empty. A hasty conference saw a limping Dave Wareham bravely returning to the wing, unable to run but still able to offer a fearsome defence. Moseley only managed a single further try prior to the referees whistle signalling the end to what had been a spirited performance from a plucky Stafford side.