REYNOLDS PRAISES OPPONENTS FOR DESERVED VICTORY
DIRECTOR of Rugby
Seb Reynolds conceded Birmingham Moseley deserved their dramatic 27-26 National One win at
Old Bath Road after Rams failed to convert a number of chances to secure a victory of their own.
“All credit to Moseley, they played some good rugby and we probably took too long to get into our defensive sets, giving them two cheap scores in the first half which ultimately cost us,” said Reynolds.
“You just can’t do that at this level and give any side freebies.
“Attacking and continuitywise there was some really good stuff, and on another day it might have been a comfortable victory, but it wasn’t and Birmingham deserved it.”
When Lewis converted his own try on the brink of half-time it seemed a turning point, with Tonks’ second score also coming against the run of play and also proving crucial in the end.
And Reynolds confessed: “(At the end of the first half) there was kind of a 14-point swing when we were knocking on the door five metres out and then we coughed up the ball, they go down the other end and score and it probably gave them the boost of energy they needed.
“We’ve got to know when to pull out of (the continuity game). I really like the way we play our rugby; we go for the off-loads and at times it was sublime, we could have sent a couple of players under the posts.
“At times it can make you pull your hair out (when it doesn’t go to hand) – even though I’ve not got much – and while it can be frustrating, we have to be OK with that as we develop.”
He continued: “We had a lot of youngsters in the squad and I was really pleased for Sam Nicholls, I thought he had a really strong game and kicked with composure.
“Paul Englezos when he came on was excellent and Max Hayman made a number of bullocking runs around the pitch and made plenty of chop tackles, Vince Everitt in combination with Vooghty was very good at the breakdown.
“Axel (Kalling-Smith) coming off the bench and Kieran (Leicester) on the wing were good, we’ve got lots of changes but we’re fine with that – we’ve got a deep squad with young guys coming through and I’m pleased with where they’re at.”
And while the younger generation attracted the DoR’s praise, he also issued a glowing tribute to Stevie Bryant, who made two extraordinary plays at the start of the second half when the home side were under the cosh for the opening five minutes.
He said: “Stevie’s still going strong and playing some of the best rugby I’ve seen him play along with Ollie Taylor on his 150th appearance and Robbie (Stapley) whose playing so well.
“There was lots of good stuff but it wasn’t to be – sometimes that’s the way it goes.”