Bishop's Stortford First XV 29 Birmingham Moseley 22

Stortford were caught cold in the first quarter of the game, going behind after only five minutes to a well-worked Moseley try, scored by lively winger, Aquile Smith, after the home side were turned over in the opposition 22. Tighe Maxwell-Whiteley converted, as he did 5 minutes later, when the visitors had to work far less hard for their second try. This was scored by Sam Pointon on the other wing, who was given a straight run at the line by poor Stortford defensive alignment, despite hesitant work in Moseley's midfield in the lead-up. The visitor's flyhalf also made no mistake with a penalty shot after 16 minutes, when a high tackle offence was adjudged to have been committed in midfield. The hosts did then manage to put together some good handling with a number of clever offloads, forcing a couple of penalties but both of the resultant attacking lineouts were lost. Pressure was, though maintained and good work in midfield, with Austin Pope cutting a good line to make inroads into Moseley's defence and quick hands created acres of space for Jake Morris to go in for a try. Chris Bolton's conversion attempt went wide, but he was on target from in front of the posts 7 minutes later, after James Ayrton had touched down. The try came from quick thinking by Bolton who, with a penalty advantage put in a chip kick from just outside the opposition 22 for his skipper to run onto and apply his footballing skills to half-volley it over the line.

Stortford started the second period much more positively than they had the first and, when visiting skipper, Ollie Stedman was yellow carded for foul play 5 minutes in, they were quick to take advantage by taking the lead for the first time. The score came from a well-executed pre-planned move, with Morris making a perfectly-timed incursion into the line from the blindside wing to slice through and sprint in for a try with 9 minutes gone, converted by Bolton. The lead was extended to 7 points 6 minutes later, when replacement scrumhalf, Connor Lloyd touched down at the back of a driving maul from a 5 metre lineout, though he was unable to add the conversion. Stortford looked to be in control at this stage, but they let their defensive guard down momentarily with 23 minutes of the half gone, when the outside backs failed to hold their discipline and the outside man bit in to give replacement wing, Anthony Egodo a clear run to the line. Despite now being only 2 points to the good, the home side held their nerve well and worked their way steadily up the pitch. Having opted for a 5 metre scrum from a penalty, the pack provided good ball and Chris Smith, stepping in from the blindside wing to first receiver was able to force his way over for the clinching try. Lloyd's conversion attempt went just wide, but that was the final action of the match.

Special thanks today go to Match Sponsors and strong Club supporters, NFU Mutual and to major sponsors, Westbury Garden Rooms, whose Man of the Match award went to Toby Hill for his unstinting work at scrum and across the field.