Moore no merrier as London lose their way
Rugby union: North 18 London 9
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.PAUL STEPHENS
North 18 London 9
If the first principle of leadership is example then Brian Moore failed on one count though scored notably on several others as London slipped to their second successive defeat in this disappointing CIS Divisional Championship match at College Grove, Wakefield on Saturday.
Moore was fortunate not to be dismissed by Tony Spreadbury, either after a second-half stamping incident or for an apparent head-butt, both of which could have warranted England's most-capped forward facing a disciplinary tribunal this week instead of leading London out against West Samoa at Twickenham on Wednesday.
Afterwards, Moore was robustly unrepentant. ''This sort of situation provides referees with a conundrum. Do they penalise the player killing the ball, or the guy trying to ruck him out of the way?'' Moore asked. It was a question never answered in a contest where fair release and slow delivery from ruck and maul were features of a game which began so promisingly.
It ended with the North deserved winners by two tries to nil. ''We passed up a couple of good chances and gave away too much ball," Moore said. ''That wasn't good enough today, nor will it be on Wednesday when some of us have a point to prove."
Clearly Moore feels there is still hope of reclaiming his place when England meet the tourists on 16 December. More to the point is where Jack Rowell will make changes after the performance against South Africa.
If it is at scrum-half then Andy Gomarsall - who outshone the North's Austin Healey - must come into the reckoning. At full-back (assuming Mike Catt is not returned there, allowing Rob Andrew's rumoured recall) Tim Stimpson, whose blistering pace set up the long-range try for Will Greenwood which settled the result, must be next in line.
North: Tries Mallinder, W Greenwood. Conversion Liley. Penalties Liley 2. London: Penalties Gregory 3.
NORTH: T Stimpson (West Hartlepool); J Naylor (Orrell), W Greenwood (Harlequins), P Johnson (Orrell, capt), J Mallinder; R Liley (both Sale), A Healey; P Winstanley (both Orrell), S Diamond (Sale), M Shelley (West Hartlepool), J Fowler (Sale), M Greenwood (Wasps), R Arnold (Newcastle), N Ashurst, C Vyvyan (both Sale). Replacements: G Baldwin (Wakefield) for Winstanley, 2; P Stewart (Wakefield) for Vyvyan, 48.
LONDON: A Tunningley (Saracens); M Griffiths, N Greenstock (both Wasps), P Menesah (Harlequins), S Roiser; G Gregory, A Gomarsall (all Wasps); S Brown (Harlequins), B Moore (Harlequins, capt), I Dunston (Wasps), A Snow, M Watson (both Harlequins), M White (Wasps), R Jenkins (Harlequins), A Diprose (Saracens).
Referee: A Spreadbury (Bristol).
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments