Tackle

Round 12 sees the Knights playing their second consecutive away game. This is another match that that has been changed from a normal Saturday afternoon to avoid clashing with one of England's Autumn Internationals. The issue for the Knights is that the change is to a Friday evening, after they played 5 days before, so have they had enough time to recuperate? Ready or not, the Knights ride on to Billesley Common intent on gaining revenge for their 23 points to 16 defeat at Castle park in September.

The Knights have played Moseley six times away in league matches, twice in National Division Two, where they won one and lost one, and four times at Level One where the record is three to one in favour of the Knights.

Last season at Billesley Common the Knights lost by 33 points to 25 in a win that was orchestrated by their fly half Tristan Roberts who is now a knights player.  Of the entire Knight's defeats this season, the home one against Moseley in September by 23 points to 16 must hurt the most and they will be going all out to exorcise the demon-memory of that game when they go to Billesey Common. Unfortunately Billesley is not a happy battleground for the Knights as they lost there last season and only won by 7 points on the previous 2 seasons. They will be looking to the likes of Matty Williams to repeat his scoring exploit from the last time the sides met as well as Steve McColl, Tristan Roberts, Chris Hallam and others to put the ball down over the Billesley Common try line.

Moseley are currently struggling near the bottom in the Championship with their only other win apart from at Castle Park) being on Friday 22nd October being away against Birmingham/Solihull Bees by a converted try in the last minute of the game.  Moseley beat the Bees by 2 points but they beat the Knights by 7 points. Probably their best home performance this season was a 24 all draw with Cornish Pirates (3rd).

When the Knights lost to Moseley 16 – 23 at Castle Park, both of Moseley’s tries were scored within 26 minutes. Matty Williams scored the Knights only try in the second half but it was a case of too little, too late. The penalty count was 3 each with the Knights missing a long-range penalty towards the end of the game. This game was only the Knights second game of the season, so they were a relatively inexperienced team. Moseley came to Castle Park with a simple game plan and stuck to it rigidly. Immediately after the game, Howells said that the side would need time to settle in as the average age was only 24 and he said he was confident that they would come back into contention as they found their feet. They are doing just that, lying 5th In the Championship to Moseley’s 11th.

Moseley’s top try scorer is ex-Knight full back Anthony ‘Shaggy’ Carter, with flanker Chevvy Pennycook just one try behind. Shaggy didn’t play against the Knights at Castle Park due to injury and back row Pennycook scored an early try after the Moseley pack pushed the Knights over the try line.
Moseley’s fly half Oliver Thomas and winger Edward Styles both appear on the Championship’s top 20 kickers list.

After 4 bonus point wins, the Knights can’t be caught in the league in 1 game. Rotherham Titans (6th) who are 6 points behind play at Goldington road against second-placed Bedford Blues on Saturday.
On Sunday London Welsh (4th, 4 points above) welcome the Cornish Pirates (3rd, 7 points above) to Old Deer Park. Last Sunday league leaders, Worcester Warriors ended the Welsh unbeaten home run by 4 points, so the Exiles will look to get back to winning ways.

IF London Welsh lose AND the Knights win, we would require the bonus point to go above them.

Moseley’s only other win was away at Birmingham & Solihull, so can the Knights get a fifth consecutive 5-point win knowing that Moseley haven’t won at Billesley Common yet this season?

Will Moseley play with additional confidence knowing that they have already beaten the Knights this season and seek their first home win of the season aware of the Knights’ limited and distant success at Billesley?

If you want to be included on the supporter’s coach please ring Bob or Chris Briggs on 01302 535561 or 07870585045 as soon as possible and show the knights your support.