Rugby Union: Moseley make chumps of champs

Moseley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Newcastle Gosforth. . . . . . . . . . . . .16

THE REDDINGS was the happiest rugby ground in England on Saturday, where there were no losers. Although Newcastle were not presented with the Second Division trophy in triumph, they will not begrudge Moseley the victory which enabled them to retain their status and with it presumably those star players, like Mike Teague, who would hardly relish life in the Third.

It was a game in which refereeing was to play an important, not to say crucial, part. Roger Quittenton emerged from his enforced big-match sabbatical and for the first quarter almost everything, especially the line- out, was policed with a rare fervour, though in fairness he punished both sides with equal application.

To give credit to Moseley, they made the best of the line-out despite the interventions and, without Steve Bainbridge, Newcastle were counted out 23-10 in this decisive area.

Elsewhere, the game never achieved any fluency. There was only one back-line move of note and it came from Newcastle. With a hint of a forward pass, David Johnson put Ian Chandler clear on the hour for a fine try rounded off by Ross Wilkinson.

It gave the champions the lead for the first time in a frenetically nervous conclusion to the promotion and relegation issues. But there was more apprehension to come as a dreadful mix-up between Newcastle's full-back John Murray and the left wing Tim Penn gave Moseley the throw on the visitors' line. Teague won it and as Newcastle failed to police the narrow- side of the ensuing ruck, Dave Spiller crossed for the winning score.

The cheers of relief could have been heard as far away as Villa Park and the echo continued well after it was learnt that Bedford had failed to beat Morley by enough to make up the points- difference on their Midlands neighbours.

Moseley: Tries Linnett, Spiller; Penalties Reed- Daunter. Newcastle Gosforth: Try Wilkinson; Conversion Johnson; Penalties Johnson 3.

Moseley: J Reed-Daunter; D Spiller, I Bancroft, R Massey, S Purdy; M Hardcastle, N Parry; M Linnett, R Hampton, N Lyman, R Denhardt, S Lloyd, M Teague, J Morris, P Shillingford (capt).

Newcastle Gosforth: J Murray; R Robinson, R Wilkinson, I Chandler, T Penn; D Johnson, S Douglas; R Fuller, N Frankland (capt), J Curry, T Roberts, A Meadows, G Clark, B Chick, R Arnold.

Referee: R Quittenton (Rustington).