Ledbury RFC suffer away defeat at title chasing Moseley Oak

LEDBURY RFC suffered a sixth defeat of the season as they fell to a 37-17 score-line away at title chasing Moseley Oak.

Despite the final result Ledbury started well and Iolo Bubb was able to stroke over a penalty from 40 metres to take an early lead.

Moseley were coughing up penalties on a regular basis, but when Ledbury were penalised for crossing when setting up a promising attack, Moseley were able to convert from half way to bring the scores level.

Despite their lack of possession, when Moseley had the ball in hand and Moseley took a 6-3 lead with a monster penalty kick from 45 metres out.

Ollie Smith was proving invaluable to Ledbury, foraging for any loose possession, but Moseley were ominously industrious and looked likely to score.

The home pack was causing issues at scrum time for Ledbury, however, against the run of play, Zak Bonfield intercepted a promising Moseley attack and ran from his own 22 to score a try converted by Iolo Bubb to go 6-10 ahead.

A yellow card issued to Moseley’s second row for side entry at a maul nearly resulted in further points for Ledbury, but they were penalised for an early push at scrum time in a threatening position and Moseley cleared their lines with a huge kick, resulting in a lineout just inside the Ledbury 22.

From there they mauled their way over for Jacobus Genade to score (13-10). At the half time whistle Ledbury knew they had a huge task in hand against a highly physical pack.

The visitor’s lineout was struggling and kicking out of hand was inaccurate, handing possession back to Moseley all too easily.

The second half saw Moseley move up a gear, launching attack after attack until Genade was able to launch himself over the line to score again (20-10).

Ledbury were on the back foot, spending their time doggedly defending.

Moseley’s huge Fijian prop was able to burst right up the pitch but initially Ledbury kept them at bay, until the ball was recycled giving Moseley a further converted try.

A second yellow card was awarded against Moseley’s hooker, giving Ledbury the impetus to drive over from a lineout with a converted try for Jock Welch (27-17).

Restored to their full complement, Moseley effectively finished off Ledbury when the rampant Genade scored his third try after the Ledbury defence had been stretched by some efficient ball carrying, compounding the agony with a last gasp penalty (37-17).

Ledbury being well in the mix in the first half, but some resolute defence from Ledbury’s Tom Assal and back row forward Tom Roberts kept the score line respectable.

Ledbury face local rivals Newent at home next week, who sit comfortably at the top of the table having won all of their games and beating Hereford this weekend.

However, newly promoted Ledbury will hope to give their fans something to cheers and a bumper crowd expected, kick-off 2.15pm.