Ian Smith believes Moseley’s first-half performance cost them deserved victory

Dec 7 2009 by Brian Dick, Birmingham Mail

IAN Smith believes it was his team’s first-half performance – and not their second – that cost them a deserved victory.

The Red and Blacks used helpful conditions to build up a 19-point half-time lead after a try by Chevvy Pennycook and five successful kicks from Tristan Roberts.

And then they sat back and allowed Pirates to seize the initiative and turn in a second-period effort that produced two converted tries, two penalties and four vital Championship points.

However, Smith was more concerned about the fact his side did not build a sufficiently large lead.

“Nineteen points were not enough in those conditions,” the head coach said. “It was a shame we had Callum’s try chalked off because that would have been important in a game that was always going to be nip and tuck. Tactically we took a few wrong options that enabled them to stay in it.

“Things like not kicking to the right places, not being too quick to move the ball out of a dominant scrum – little things that help you get a grip.”

One note of concern for Smith was the thigh injury picked up by skipper Neil Mason.