Moseley pay price for lineout calamity

JAMES FITZPATRICK secured an unlikely Darlington Mowden Park win over Birmingham Moseley as they overcame a 19-point deficit through three converted second-half tries.

Fitzpatrick got their match-clincher minutes from time while home flanker Jack Preece was in the sin-bin. Jack Payne and Adam Radwan claimed their earlier scores, with Josh Bragman and Garry Law sharing the conversions.

Park’s scrum looked strong throughout, but Moseley’s inability to secure lineout ball proved their undoing. The hosts lost six of their 14 throwins, including two on Park’s five-metre line in the fourth quarter.

Moseley had earlier dominated the first quarter; home fly-half James Williams claimed the first try with a 50-metre dash to the line after Park spilled the ball in mid- field. Pacy winger Ed Sheldon immediately added a second following a handling error from the visitors exacerbated by four missed tackles. Williams converted both, and he capped off a fine solo display by claiming his second and Moseley’s third try on 50 minutes.

The home side then declined two easy kicks at goal in the search for a try bonus point when leading 19-0, and these choices plus Williams’ later penalty miss cost them dear.