Redingensians Colts V Moseley NCC Semi-Final
Colts (U19) - Results & Reports
Redingensians 28 - 14 Moseley RFC
Fixture: National Cup
Date: Sunday 17th April 2011 KO: 14:00
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Match Report
By Nigel Sutcliffe | Sunday 17th April 2011
Colts gallop into National final
Coach Jason McMahon hailed this National semi-final victory as his proudest moment in 33 years at the club.
McMahon, a former Gensians first fifteen captain and a life member, said: "The boys have won 17 games out of 17, the OBB league for the first time and reached a national final. That is their legacy to the club."
They now face Bedford, 34-12 winners over Newbury, in the final at Franklins Gardens, Northampton on Monday May 2.
McMahon's lads raced to a 28-7 interval lead but had to defend stoutly in the second half.
He said: "I've immense praise for our defence. They forced Moseley into errors in the second half after we had hit them with 22 points in the opening quarter."
"Mike Davies did a great job for us with his kicking. But then it was just a regular day at the office for him."
Scrum-half Davies was on target from all angles for a 13-point tally to add to Gensians' three tries.
A searing break from Dom Gosling set up the first touchdown after five minutes. Moseley were penalised and from the ensuing lineout, Connor Stapley forced his way over.
After nine minutes it was 14-0 as hooker Phil Dunster raced over from another lineout and Davies landed his second conversion from wide out.
On the quarter hour rampant Gensians increased their lead with lively back-row Rob Jones crossing before a Davies kick extended the advantage to 22-0.
Moseley rallied with a Caolan Ryan try, at first ruled out by the referee then allowed on the advice of the touch judge.
Ryan added the extras but Davies landed two far from easy penalties to put Gensians well in control at the break.
Soon after the restart, the Birmingham side reduced the arrears with Jack Woodcock finishing off a forward drive - Ryan converting.
The second half became a scrappy affair as both sides realised what was at stake and Moseley had two scores ruled out for crossing and a forward pass.
Then Gensians surprisingly declined a kickable penalty which would have put them three scores ahead.
Poor Moseley handling plus some tigerish defence and a little good fortune prevented any further scores.
Team: Reynolds; Lacy-Smith, Stapleton, Gosling, McDermottroe; Ephraim, Davies; Crame, Dunster, Bell, Downes, Cover, Piller, Jones, Stapley. Reps: Shepherd, Clarke, Clare, Millard, Memmott, Brouwer, Davidson.