This was a much improved Park performance against a side who were playing at Championship level last season. They started well with fly half Harry Leonard slotting over an early penalty for 3-0. That lead extended to 10-0 after only 13 minutes when hooker Charlie Piper was driven over and Leonard converted.

Both sides played excellent rugby, but second-placed Moseley began to shade the exchanges and pulled back a score when fly half James Williams conjured a try, converting his own effort. Two minutes later on 33 minutes he equalised the scores with a well-struck penalty.

Just as it looked as if the sides would go in level, winger Drew Cheshire galloped in for Moseley, Williams converting to make it 10-17 at half-time.

Moseley started the second half the brighter, and number 8 Chris Brightwell finished off a good drive, Williams again converting for 10-24.

However, Park came roaring back and took the game to the visitors. After a scrum Dave Vincent made a piercing run through the visitors’ defence to score a try, converted by Leonard for 17-24.

Park will have been disappointed when Moseley were awarded a penalty try, converted by Williams, after George Oram was stopped close to the line. They must then have felt positively aggrieved when, what looked a perfectly valid try by scum half Rory Brand, was ruled out shortly afterwards.

The scrum half would not be denied and found his way through the defence on 72 minutes, Leonard converting for 24-31. Park threw in everything to try to rescue the match but were met with some superb defending and Moseley were mightily relieved to hoof the ball into touch to bring an end to proceedings.

Park Forwards Coach, Kieran Power, said, “We believed we had the ability to beat Moseley, and our initial intent showed that, but our ill-discipline let us down and allowed Moseley back into the game.

“We showed some great attacking intent and put a lot of pressure on Moseley at times but ultimately our execution and discipline was the difference”.

He added, “On a more positive note, we have made another step forward and in the last three games we have seen a lot more positivity in attack by the players who are getting to grips with our new pattern”.

Next Saturday Park travel to Cheshire to play Macclesfield, who are level on points with them in the League.

Power said, “This week looking at Macclesfield though we need to focus on being clinical with our execution of certain plays around the pitch. But it has to be a ‘must win’ mentality for us to start climbing the league”.

Park: Robinson; Aspland-Robinson, Henderson, Howley-Berridge, Vincent; Leonard; Brand; Wade, Piper, Maguire; Inglis, Spivey; Frampton, Broadbent, Milne
Bench: Bellamy, Farrell, Reay, Crow, Sneddon.

Charlie Addiman

October 18, 2016