Sheldon hat-trick fires in-form Mose

MOSELEY produced a try-fest for the second home game in a row to see off a battling Old Albanian outfit who still managed a bonus point thanks to an inspired second-half recovery.

Two weeks after running in 11 tries against Cambridge, the Birmingham side were at it again as they ran in eight more with hat-trick hero Ed Sheldon leading the way.

And it looked like being more than that after a scintillating first-half display that saw them open up a 42-7 lead.

Full-back Mike Penn claimed the opener after just four minutes with further scores from centre Alex Grove and hooker Jake Farnworth following soon after – all of converted by James Williams.

A converted effort from Craig Dowsett gave the visitors hope but this was soon cancelled out by Grove, who was sent off late on, as he wrapped up the bonus point with just over 20 minutes gone.

Tim Molenaar and Sheldon added their names to the scoresheet before the break only for Old Albanian to hit back in the second half with Matt Miles and Ross Hamilton dotting down.

But Mose held their nerve with Sheldon crossing twice more to wrap up the win even though the visitors finished stronger with George Elliott and Nick Foster crossing late.

TEAMS

BIRMINGHAM MOSELEY: Penn, Cheshire, Grove, Molenaar, Sheldon, Williams, Brazier, Fidler, Farnworth, Stuart, Charlton, Orm, Hone, Preece, Le Roux

Replacements: Elliott, Crane, Collingham, Bale, Harrison,

OLD ALBANIAN: Palmer, Speirs, Dowsett, Lombaard, Foster, Shanahan, Gliksten, Garside, Miles, Doman-Cann, Johnson, Hamilton, Tuilagi, Stevens, Nay

Replacements: Taylor, Reed, Elliott, Burgess REFEREE: Neil Chivers ATTENDANCE: 864 Star man Jack Preece - Moseley