Rams made to pay for slow start in Birmingham Moseley defeat

SEB Reynolds rued another near miss and a lack of killer instinct after Rams lost 31-24 in their National Division 1 trip at Birmingham Moseley last Saturday, writes Richard Ashton.

Another sub-par first-half display left the visitors 21-7 down as Aquile Smith, Elliott Creed and Callum Allen crossed for the Midlanders, Zach Clow responding for Rams.

Allen doubled up early in the second half, but the Berkshire boys roared back as Rowan Grundy, Max Hayman and Willo Bicknell went over to make it 28-24.

Rams were now dominant but failed to take the lead during their purple patch, Tommy Taylor’s late penalty finishing the job for the hosts.

Rams director of rugby Reynolds had spoken pre-match about his side needing to ‘feel the moment’ but was left frustrated following the full-time whistle. He said: “We’ve got to learn to finish the job.

“It’s fine trying to fightback where there’s nothing to lose — out comes our free-flowing game, not over-thinking — but then it gets to a point where we should win, and naivety comes in.

“We stopped doing what we should be doing and tactically we got the last 15 minutes wrong, gave Moseley a way out and they took it, so fair play.

“Across the game they deserved to win, so credit to them.”

Speaking on his side’s slow start, Reynolds added: “If you concede 12 penalties before the break it’s very difficult to win a game.

“But there were lots of positives and it’s important we acknowledge those — we sorted our discipline and came back well.

“We were up against a very experienced side fighting a possible relegation and in the second half established good field position, a strong set-piece and a decent tempo. But then we let it slip.” Despite the thrilling comeback win at Tonbridge Juddians a fortnight ago, this was the fourth game in which Rams have rallied before falling on the wrong side of the line following defeats to Bishop’s Stortford, Rotherham Titans and Dings Crusaders.

Explaining the disappointing trend, Reynolds said: “It’s a combination of things. We have a new team coming together, there’s a lack of experience, and we need to learn how to get the job done. But it will come. Decision-making isn’t easy. Chris Robshaw went to the front of the line-out to try and win the game (against Wales in the 2015 World Cup) when in hindsight he should have taken three points, and he was the captain of England.”

Defeat leaves Rams sixth in the table and now 11 points adrift of the play-off places, but Reynolds remained upbeat as he ended: “It’s about building as a side, and we will get there.

“This time last year we came here, had a nothing game and got beaten up, nilled and it was a nightmare.

“This time at least we were well in it, had some great physicality and played some good rugby, we just couldn’t do it at the end.

“We’d love to win every game by loads, but equally we’re not losing by many. It’s about how we become more clinical and finish matches.

“We need to be more consistent, but unfortunately, we’re consistently inconsistent at the moment.”

Rams have a week off before hosting Clifton on Saturday, February 14.