By Stefan
January 16 2006

EARTH TITANS A-team almost snatched a draw from the jaws of victory in a memorable contest at Moseley. Leading 22-3 at the break, they survived a dramatic 'points rush' at the death to emerge 22-20 victors.

The Titans, judging by their stuttering performance, need to raise their game several levels if Nottingham are to be beaten in the NCA North clash next week. Rusty, after a series of cancelled games over the Christmas period, the A-team made the long trip to Birmingham looking to get back into winning action ahead of next week's potentially difficult game.

Annual friendlies against Moseley always prove to be tough encounters and this game was no exception. Moseley, fielding a strong side, were in confident mood but in typically defiant fashion, the Clifton Lane side rose to the challenge and emerged with a morale-boosting win ahead of the Nottingham clash next week.

The A-team was outstanding in the early stages of the game, scoring two cracking tries from first phase ball. Centre Gareth Morley and openside Tristan Laga completed superb moves on 10 and 22 minutes to touch down.

Moseley, justifiably confident going into the game with an unbeaten run at home, were blown apart. Roth's forwards ran the show, controlled the ball and territory and then released their dangerous backs. Dictating events, the Titans' third try from tighthead prop Attie Pienaar - driven over by the pack - in first-half added time produced a lead of 22-3 at the break.

Roth's opening 40 minutes delivered outstanding spells combining speed, forward power and control which will be hard to improve upon this season.

Victory seemed guaranteed, and why not?

But then - almost fatally - Rotherham diced with death.

Moseley's forwards exploded into the game for the first time in the second half and suddenly the Titans had a fight on their hands. The Midlands team shocked their visitors with the ferocity of their forward play.

In the final dramatic last 5 minutes of the game, the Titans kept repeatedly losing the ball, control and influence; and with it, almost threw the victory away.

Tries by Moseley on 52 minutes and then in the 78rd minute, a score which was converted, set nerves tingling. That score could not have come at a better time for Moseley but the hosts weren't finished. In the final action, a last ditch attempt saw them score a try wide right from a lineout near the halfway line on the left. The conversion kick passed agonisingly wide of the posts to deny them their recovery and gave the Titans the game.

The first half halfback pairing of scrumhalf Michael Kirkwood and outside half Phil Dale worked a treat. Michael Kirkwood's contributions setting up the first two tries were decisive.

Earth Titans:
15 Charlie Spon-Smith (Gareth Brear 55); 14 Dave Bolton (Michael Kirkwood 55), 13 Peter Lewis, 12 Gareth Morley (Will Kirtley 55), 11 Gareth Brear (Gareth Morley 55); 10 Phil Dale, 9 Michael Kirkwood (Alex Drage 60); 1 Sam Walsh, 2 Fraser Wilford (Wayne Jackson 27-31, 52), 3 Attie Pienaar (Danny Pilkington 75), 4 Nathan Pike, 5 Tim Maslanyk, 6 Tristan Laga (Barrett 50), 7 Greg Burnham, 8 Richard Sawyer (David Cauldwell 46).

Titans Scorers:
Gareth Morley (T), Tristan Laga (T), Attie Pienaar (T), Phil Dale (P2C).