Moseley 5 Albion 50

With the supporter's coach just over half full, although many made the trip independently the match was well supported.  Those that were not able to attend missed what was probably the best second half performance for Albion this season.

Going in to the change around Albion were 10 points to nil up but still had two players in the bin. Albion used this to their advantage and came out running and scoring a converted try before they were up to full strength.

The weather forecast for the day had been for overcast and strong winds but a perfectly blue cloudless sky was in attendance with a light wind. The game was played on a flat well kept pitch that any National League One or even Premiership club would be proud of.

The first 20 minutes saw the play mainly between the two 22 metre lines  and we had to wait until 22 minutes for Nic Sestaret to score after Regardt van Eyk broke through the Moseley defence. The extras were added by full back Wihan Neethling along with a penalty it brought the score to 0-10.

On 30 minutes Moseley decided to take advantage of Albion being penalised for going over the top virtually on the half way line by kicking for goal, unfortunately for them the ball fell short and was cleared from the Albion line by Ed Barnes.

With 33 minutes gone it looked as though the game was going to settle down to a slow game with Albion on top but it was not to be. Ben Gulliver was yellow carded for dangerous play at the line out and 4 minutes later Ed Barnes was harshly binned for coming in at the side as a maul was forming.

No changes were made to the Albion team at half time but coming onto the pitch with only 13 men they came on at pace and took the ball to the hosts. When Ben Gulliver was allowed back on the pitch he joined the 5 metre scrum just to the left of the posts and Tom Hayes returned to his number 8 role picked the ball up and went over under the posts to restart the scoring. With the extras from Wihan the score was 0-17.

Just as Ben coming on had given that bit extra to the team to give them the score when Ed Barnes came on he too gave that bit extra and within a minute of returning he produced a 20 plus metre pass out to Federico Genoud who was hanging on the right wing. With little cover he was able to force his way over in the corner for 5 points. Kicking from the right touchline Wihan showed his good form and slotted the extras.

With Albion on the attack on the half way line a loose pass was intercepted by Moseley and Daren O'Leary then ran the 50 metres to score in the right corner but the try was left unconverted.

Albion did not leave it too long before getting the bonus point try and it came from a catch and drive move on the left hand side and whilst Keni Fisilau got up with the ball to run back from the pack the try was awarded to Nic Sestaret, his 2nd for the day and 9th for the season.  Wihan added the extras bringing the score to 5-32.

In the 25th minute of the second half Tom Hayes almost made it across the line for his second but was held short but on the next attempt Richard Oxley was at the bottom of the pack. This time Wihan was put off by the charging Moseley players and the ball did not go between the uprights.

On the 30 minutes Ed Lewsey took advantage of a very sloppy back pass from the scrum picking the ball up and making 40 metres before the breakdown but the ball was quickly recycled for Tom Arscott to go over the line by the right of the posts for a diving jubilant try. With no mistakes this time Wihan brought the score to 5-43.

With just 6 minutes left on the clock the mass substitutions started for Albion that also saw Tom Hayes step up to the captains role as Danny Thomas was substituted. Before Wihan could be replaced he scored a try himself after Ben Gulliver had broken through the defensive line then passing to Wihan who ran around to put the ball down behind the posts. The successful conversion kick was the last time Wihan touched the ball as he was replaced by Nat Saumi.

The final substitution saw Matt Newman come on the pitch with seconds to play and he didn't even touch the ball!  

Albion return with their best result of the season and the all important 5 points. They move to the top of the table until Leeds and Pirates play their matches on Sunday and return to their positions.

Despite sitting in third place due to the lack of bonus points Albion have the best defensive record in the league only conceding 162 points in12 matches.

Team: Wihan Neethling, Tom Arscott, Regardt Van Eyk, Keni Fisilau, Nic Sestaret, Ed Barnes, Ed Lewsey, Martin Rice, Richard Oxley, Scott Zimmerman, Colin Stewart, Ben Gulliver, Federico Genoud, Danny Thomas, Tom Hayes Replacements: Matt Newman(used), Nat Saumi(used), Arran Cruickshanks(used), Tim Mathias(used), James Owen(used), Brett Stroud(used), Chris Lowrie(used)

Scorers :- Tries Federico Genoud, 2x Nic Sestaret, Richard Oxley, Tom Arscott, Tom Hayes, Wihan Neethling Sin Bin Ben Gulliver, Ed Barnes Penalties Wihan Neethling Conversions 6x Wihan Neethling

Current Table after all weekend matches

Top Point Scorer

Top Try Scorers

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