Whitchurch 24 vs Moseley Oak 32

This was always going to be a tough game against second placed Birmingham side Moseley oak in the league. It was however the home side that took the lead with a try from centre Henry Hockenhull in the first minute of play. The conversion was missed. Moseley replied almost immediately with the home team being caught offside and the Moseley fly half kicked to get 3 points and keep them in the game. In the 10th. minute it was the home side to score the next try with Ian Gillespie making a 25 yard run down the touchline before passing inside to full back Jake Dodwell to cross the touchline to score the 2nd try. Again the conversion was missed which proved to be costly at the end of the game.

Moseley Oak then showed why they are riding high in the league when they took a quick penalty tap to score in the corner which was also converted to put the scores at 10 each. Whitchurch then got a yellow card for a high tackle and the away forwards showed their domination with a drive over try the line following a lineout. They took advantage of the extra man and with some good passing in their backs ran from their own half to score under the posts to give them a 14 point lead. Whitchurch showed their determination and after being in the opposition half man of the match Jake Dodwell broke through again to score by the posts which he converted himself for the team to go in 7 points behind at half time.

Moseley started the better of the 2 sides and straight after the break scored their 4th. try of the game. Whitchurch then kept battling and this time it was Moseley that saw yellow after repeated penalties and young Max Clarke made a run for the corner but was taken out illegally and the referee gave a penalty try. This meant that Whitchurch were in for 2 bonus losing points if they could hang on but with just a couple of minutes to go Moseley kicked a penalty to give the a win of 24:32

Coach Andy Powell said that it was one of the best performances he has seen lately from the home side despite losing against a very well organised and strong side who will probably get promoted.

The next 2 weeks Whitchurch are on the road away at Cheltenham next week and Ledbury the week after.