Moseley 27 Nottingham 36

Dec 17 2007 By Roger Clarke, Birmingham Mail

THE good news was that Moseley scored four tries for a bonus point - the bad news was that a dodgy try and some poor defending meant Nottingham went home from Billesley Common with the win in this National One fixture.

The Red and Blacks pressured from the off and when Nottingham did finally break out in the seventh minute a poor pass was intercepted by wing Dan Norton by his 22 and he was under the posts in a flash, with No.10 Greg MacDonald making it 7-0.

Five minutes later and Nottingham had a generous penalty for crossing, which resulted in winger Andy Savage going over for an unconverted try.

A MacDonald penalty increased the lead but from the restart Moseley fumbled, lost possession and as the midfield was sliced open again Savage was in for his second to make it 10-10.

Nottingham were threatening again in the 27th minute but another loose pass saw centre Jack Adams hoof downfield, win the pick-up and feed Norton for a repeat.

Once again though Moseley invited Nottingham back in and, after being cut open again, centre Tim Molenarr went over in the corner.

Most observers were of the view that Molenarr and the ball touched down separately but referee Roy Maybank's verdict was the only one that mattered.

Full-back Gregory Tonks added insult to injury to make it 17-17 and then in injury time No.10 Ben Thompson went over by the posts for 24-17 at the break.

It got worse immediately when Andy Binns' clearance from the off was charged down and scrum-half Jimmy Ireland was yellow-carded somewhat harshly for a professional foul, supposedly pulling back a Nottingham attacker.

While he was off Thompson added a second try, converted by Tonks, who added an unconverted try of his own.

Notts' skipper flanker Craig Hammond was yellow-carded for killing the ball and it was Moseley's turn to take advantage with five replacements for the catch and drive for the penalty which saw new hooker Ross McMillan driven over with a repeat eight minutes later.

MacDonald missed both kicks but had a chance to grab a second bonus point deep in injury time with a penalty in front of the posts but Mr Maybank had other ideas and, as the kick was lined up, he moved it 20 metres out towards the touchline and the points and the kick vanished wide of the mark.

Coach Ian Smith said: "We got one point but it should have been two if the penalty had not been moved, and maybe more if it had not been for the indecision and a couple of crucial errors.

"I felt when the subs were on it was swaying our way but we do have a little bit of depth to our squad now which bodes well for the rest of the season.

"There were some very soft points scored on their side, we just gifted them the ball when we were not organised, but they are a good side and the boys battled well to establish themselves again in the second half.

"It just wasn't our day - but there is always next week."