Williams leads Moseley runaway train to victory

LED by 18 points from the boot of James Williams, Birmingham Moseley claimed a 38-19 bonus point win over Hull Ionians.

But despite moving back into second place behind runaway National One leaders Hartpury, the hosts finished slightly disappointed after ‘losing’ the final half-hour 0-12.

“It was a good first hitout after the Christmas break, and we played some good rugby times,” said forwards coach Louis Deacon.

“But we are a bit disappointed with the second half, as to be 38-7 up then let them in for two soft tries suggests we came off the gas a little bit.”

Ionians claimed first blood through an early John Allott try, converted by fly-half Lee Millar. The centre hacked a loose ball through from 20 metres and dotted down in the corner after Moseley failed to deal with a kick ahead.

The hosts soon got on the board, thanks to Williams’ point-blank penalty, then took the lead for the first time when Drew Cheshire sent the excellent Tim Molenaar to the posts. Williams converted, and the fly-half soon added another three points from 20 metres when Ionians infringed on the ground.

Full-back Mike Penn then cut inside to grab the hosts’ second try, before Ionians handed a straightforward third penalty to Williams when they were caught offside.

When visiting flanker Laurence Cowan was sinbinned for a deliberate

knock-on, Moseley took full advantage through George Oram’s converted score.

The home fly-half added his fourth penalty soon after the break, then upgraded Alex Grove’s poacher’s try after the former Scotland centre intercepted on halfway, and cruised to the posts.

Hull struck back through full-back Greg Lound, who squeezed in the corner, and as they continued to press, Moseley lost replacement second row Harry Hone to the sin bin.

The visitors had the last word through replacement scrum-half Callum Irvine, who sniped over from a close-range tap-and-go after their hosts conceded a close-range penalty, and Millar added his second conversion.