Match report 7/10/23

Life in National 1 continues to be a challenge for the Lions who put in another decent performance but again came up just short against an experienced National 1 side.

The Lions failed to field the kick off and handed an early opportunity to Moseley, . When a penalty was conceded the home side decided to kick to the corner. Although the initial drive was defended well by the Lions pack, Moseley scored through centre Elliot Creed once they shifted the ball wide. The conversion was missed (5-0).

As they have done in previous weeks, the Lions responded well though and, playing with the wind and down the slope, dominated most of the first half territory. The Lions had a series of lineout and scrum opportunities in the Moseley 22 but were unable to convert. Dan Lewis did kick a penalty though to reduce the deficit (5-3).

The Lions continued to apply pressure following a series of penalties and opted for the corner. The driving maul was held up just short but the ball was shifted back to the blindside where Joe Brock, on his first start of the season, crashed over from close range. Lewis converted for a 5-10 lead.

Moseley hit back after a period of pressure through winger Sam Pointon who rounded the defence to dot down under the posts. This time the score was converted and the home side regained the lead (12-10).

Following a missed touch from Moseley, Toby Cousins kicked from his own 22m line and the ball finally came to a stand still in the home sides' goal area. Chasing his own kick Cousins was narrowly beaten to the ball by a covering defender. The Lions received the goalline drop out though and proceeded to set up camp in the Moseley 22. They had three 5m lineouts and a 5m scrum but were unable to convert any of the chances and the home side managed to get in at half time with a slender lead.

The second half started the way the first half had ended, with the Lions pressing the Moseley line following an early penalty that was kicked in to the home sides' 22. The first drive was halted illegally and former Lion, Sam McNulty, was shown a yellow card. The Lions went to the corner again but the home side escaped following a Lions knock on.

A Moseley penalty was cancelled out by Lewis as both sides looked to take control of the close contest (15-13). It was the home side who made the breakthrough though as Pat Zindi went over having picked up from close range. The conversion was kicked for a 9 point lead This lead was then extended when another penalty was slotted by the home side (25-13).

As they have done in recent weeks, the Lions finished strongly and began moving the ball wide. This play stretched the Moseley defence and eventually an overlap was created and Toby Cousins sprinted in from distance to secure the losing bonus point for the Lions. Another case of what could have been' for the Lions but a lot of spirit showed to stay in the contest and come away with a point.

Head coach Gareth Collins commented: ''Moseley are a very experienced National 1 side, stacked with players who have Premiership and Championship experience. We matched them in all areas and the game could easily have gone either way. It's frustrating for us to come close again and not win but we're learning valuable lessons and improving all the time.''