Birmingham Moseley Preview

Preview Titans away at Birmingham Moseley

15^thApril

Birmingham Moseley  vs Taunton Titans

Darlington Mowden    vs Esher

22^ndApril

Chinnor                       vs Darlington Mowden Park

Esher                           vs Rams

Sale FC                        vs Birmingham Moseley

Taunton Titans            vs Leeds

29^thApril

Cambridge                  vs Birmingham Moseley

                                               Played             Points

Birmingham Moseley             23                    57

Darlington Mowden Park       24                    56

Esher                                       24                    52

Taunton Titans                        24                    50

It’s coming to the crunch in National League One.

Taunton Titans turned the tables (and history) on previous bogey team, Rosslyn Park, last time out with a resounding 57-26 win in front of rapturous home fans at Veritas Park. Elsewhere, though, nearest rivals Esher also bagged a much-needed win against Bishop’s Stortford to maintain a cushion of 2 points in the table over Taunton who still occupy the third relegation spot. Leeds and Hull are both condemned to the drop to National League 2. The next two weeks should sort out who joins them, although throw into the mix the fact that Titans’ opponents this weekend, Birmingham Moseley have a game in hand and will play their final fixture a week after the other teams conclude their season. Confused? Well, look at it this way. Realistically Titans must target two wins from the remaining two games. A defeat at Moseley and a win for Esher will mean curtains for Taunton – unless they score at least four tries and taking a losing bonus point.

No, there’s nothing for it but for the Somerset side to target two wins. Victory for Titans at Billesley Common will put plenty of pressure on Birmingham Moseley with tough away games at Sale and Cambridge to follow. Esher, meanwhile, face the long journey to Darlington Mowden Park (themselves not yet safe) with the prospect of hosting promotion chasing Rams on the final day. Although the fans will be keeping an eye on the Twitter feed from the North-East (and elsewhere),Tony Yapp and his players can do no more than keep their focus on Saturday’s opponents, Moseley.

The premier club from England’s second city, Moseley was formed in 1873 by cricketers looking for some winter diversion. They traditionally play in red and black and it was they who contested the Olympic Rugby title at the Paris Games in 1900,securing silver on behalf of Great Britain in the competition’s only fixture. When the professional era arrived, Moseley was placed in the top division but were relegated in 1991 and have wandered the National Leagues ever since. Following administration in 1998, they sold off their historic home, The Reddings, and played at several homes before settling at Billesley Common,Yardley Wood Road.

Moseley was relegated to National League One in 2016 and has been known since that time as Birmingham Moseley. They number many internationals amongst their former players including Steve Ojomoh, Les Cusworth, Victor Ubogu, Mike Teague and Simon Hodgkinson. It was a close run thing when the two sides last met at Veritas Park with Titans sneaking a home win by 22-19 despite a second-half comeback from the visitors.

Entrance to Birmingham Moseley’s Billesley Comon ground on Yardley Wood Road is £15.00 per adult for ground entry with £5 extra to sit in the grandstand whilst Under 18s enjoy free entry and over 65s can also get a discount. These prices are valid if booked via the Moseley club website prior to Saturday but rise by a few pounds if bought on the gate. Match-day hospitality is available before the game (and must be pre-booked also via the Moseley club website). https://moseleyrugby.co.uk/hospitality. Kick-off is at 3.00pm.

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