5th Sep 09 - Moseley Oak 26 vs 22 Lordswood Dixonians
Report by John Tanguay

Dixonians get off to a slow start but can draw a number positives from season opener.

It would be fair to say most Dixonians First XV playing squad came away from last season a little disappointed by the final league standing. There were so many nearlys, especially at the business end of the 08-09 campaign. Games thrown away conceding penalties to technically inferior teams for amateurish errors and then rugby's most heinous of crimes; we allowed frustration to get the better of us and began to get penalised for dissent against referees. It seemed to be the same story week after week and the post match analysis was always disturbing familiar.

However with the season over, lessons learnt and a summer recruitment drive that brought a lot of new talent to the club things are looking positive for Dixies. It would be safe to say that most of us think we'll be there, or there abouts, come May. In the last six seasons we've never had so much competition for starting places and cover in all positions, including a traditionally sparse front row, which will give the selectors one of the nicer headaches in sport.

Yet the back end of the summer holiday period meant it was a make-shift squad that made the short journey to Billesley Common for Dixonians season opening clash against Moseley Oak in the North Midlands Cup first round.

Missing a quintet of last seasons first team starting line up, including all of the clubs half backs, and with no preseason friendlies under their belts, Dixonians knew they had a challenge on their hands. Notable absences included the ever reliable boot of fly half, Dickon Best and top try scoring number 9, Peter Madden.

The prematch talk was centred around the need to get the basics right and with new players, concentrate on your own job and to go the extra mile for the man standing next you sporting the green and purple livery (lack of promised skin tights noted, Westy). The point was made that with so many players missing now was the time to stake your claim. Inspirational stuff.

The opposition looked a speedy young bunch if not somewhat lightweight. And so the game kicked off with Moseley Oak receiving. Dixonians forwards were straight into the fray, keen to make their presence felt and reclaimed the ball. Some sterling work up front early on with the slow ball brought us up to their 22 when disaster struck.

Wise, our perpetually jocose Fijian winger, deputising at 9, brought the ball out from the ruck and passed it off to Jarvey Moss who had stepped in at Fly Half for the day. Moss then looked for Michael Lynch at 12 but the pass was intercepted and Moseley Oak ran in a break away try under the sticks against the run of play.

Needless to say this riled the team and Dixonians levelled things up a few minutes later when Wise crossed the line picking up from the base again after some great rucking by the forwards. The kick from dead centre duly converted by Jarvey.

Dixonians then capitalised on two phases left by the pack and then quick ball to the right flank for fullback John Shankland to go over with winger John Tanguay queuing up outside him. Kick missed 12-7 Dixies.

Some more concerted pressure and composure on the five yielded another five points with some great link play between Lynchy and backrow forward Adam 'face' Seymour that put Tanguay into the corner with a dive for the line. 17-7 Dixies.

Dixonians then conceded a soft try on the blindside of a ruck in the 22 with Moseley Oaks forwards getting through too easily. Concentration had dropped off. 17-12 at the break. Going into half time Dixonians were confident. Strong performances by the pack and a back line holding their own out of position, we were in the ascendancy and felt the score flattered the opposition.

The second half kicked off in much the same vein as the first and Face smashing the ball up the middle. The forwards were good in the loose and some great pick-ups by another new addition, blindside flanker Dan Easton, resulted in good territory gains.

The scrum held well and were able to put the drive on a number of times early on. Club captain and number 8 Paul Rotherham had a lively game and made his presence felt as per usual. He picked up off the base to good effect and gained yards. Despite being somewhat formulaic and quickly recognised by Moseley, they were able to do little to combat the indomitable skipper.

60 - 70 minutes saw things turn against Dixonians with new second row Robert "Mouse" McGhee off in the blood bin a number of times with a cut face. With a sin bin for hooker Simon Habberley on 65 for stamping in the ruck and with Dixonians down to thirteen the inevitable happened. Moseley put the pressure on and were rewarded by getting a try in corner with a missed tackle from an outflanked Shanks. 20-17 Moseley Oak.

Two quick penalties for the home team saw them head into the last ten with a 26-17 lead. Damian "Westy" Webb, who had a quiet game by his standards, went into the paint with a characteristic bullish run to bring the score to 26-22.

A tense last few minutes followed with Dixonians spurning not two but three penalties that could have won the game. The first missed from the boot of Moss, having a torrid day. With the second Dixonians rightly opted fo the corner and duly won the lineout, which had been solid all day bar one mix up on calls with the new personnel. An infringement in the following ruck saw the final penalty awarded on the five metre line. Taken quickly by Wise, Tanguay was clear an unmarked on the right wing when Wise looked for him but alas a lack of composure meant the ball failed to find it's mark and sailed over his head. To the dismay of the travelling fans it almost resulted in another full-length breakaway but for the rapid tracking back of Lynchy who had moved into the pack from his starting position at 12.

And so the final whistle blew on a disappointing 26-22 defeat in a game that Dixies should have won, and realistically would have won with a full strength team. The lack of kicking options cost Dixonians the game but with Robbie Holden, Tim Hodson and Dickon Best back one would hope this is a rarely occurring problem in the forthcoming season.

Overall the result scarcely matters and a positive slant should be taken. The backs played a solid game given never having played or even trained together before and consequently had no set plays. 4 tries scored and a largely contained opposition. The forwards worked well up front, had a strong tight 5, and the back row controlled the loose making big impacts off the ruck.

Man of the match award without question is awarded to Face who worked tirelessly all game. And if he does make the switch to hooker this season, will be expected to do as much work around the park and ball carrying with Vice Captain Alex McIntosh giving us a very mobile front row.

So we're out of the cup, it's time to utter that age old adage "we can now fully concentrate on the league"..Yes, it sounds like an excuse but lets remember no one wants to be feeling like we did at the end of last season and at the final whistle on Saturday. So let's make sure we do eh, boys?