Fast start does the trick Plymouth grab the spoils
IN a classical game of two halves, Plymouth Albion recorded a three try to one victory over old rivals Birmingham Moseley in difficult conditions at Brickfields.
Plymouth played very well in the first half, dominating the game both in terms of territory and possession.
At half time it seemed to be just a matter of how many Plymouth were going to win by but it was a different story in the second 40.
Moseley came out a different side after the interval and started to take the game to Plymouth, forcing them onto the back foot.
Moseley did eventually break the Plymouth defence but the score came too late to really threaten the result.
Plymouth Head coach Ben Gulliver said, “I thought the first half was the best 40 minutes of rugby we had played this season.
“In the second half credit must go Moseley for getting back into the game but although pleased with the win, I’m disappointed we didn’t get the bonus point.”
Gulliver added: “As a side we have been far too inconsistent this season but today we looked much more collective.
“Our half backs controlled the game in the first half but the second half was much more stop start.”
On a heavy pitch, Plymouth made the brighter start and forced Moseley into conceding early scrum penalties.
The opening score came when Plymouth lock John Kelly charged down a kick from Moseley skipper Jonny Arr.
Plymouth recycled the ball and young fly-half Sam Morley went through a large gap to score the opening try which fly-half Connor Eastgate converted.
Before the game restarted, Moseley went down to 14 when, on the intervention of the assistant referee, lock Dan Wright was yellow carded.
Plymouth added a second try when a powerful drive in midfield created the space for Eastgate to score in the corner.
Eastgate added the conversion with a fine kick from the touchline.
With the last play of the first half Plymouth added a third try when right wing Dean Squire scored wide out after Moseley wing Aquile Smith failed to deal with a kick through.
Moseley made changes at