After a gap of some 26 years, Moseley will step out on The Gnoll on Friday, August 11th (KICK OFF 7.45PM) – and there will be a familiar face in their ranks in scrum-half Rob Lewis who has joined them from Ebbw Vale via London Welsh.
Extending the Welsh connection will be two other signings who last year plied their trade in Wales – Army outside-half James Dixon who played regularly for Bedwas and hooker Ryan Roach who has graduated from Cardiff Metropolitan.
Neath will probably face a different Moseley side to that which beat them 14-31 at Billesley Common last year as the North Midlands side have added further signings behind the scrum in full back Chris Leatham (Cambridge & Army), wing Buster Lawrence (Rotherham), centre Callum McBurnie (Coventry), another pair of half-backs in Sam Hollingsworth (Broad Street) and Sam Pointon (Loughborough Students.
Up front additions have come in the shape of loose-head Jonah Boyce (Loughborough Students), two tight-heads Jay Tayack (Chinnor) and James Tideswell (Cinderford), Lewis Bean, a 6’8” Army second row, open side Lawrence Cowen (Hull Ionians) and No.8 Ciaran Moore who captained Stourbridge last year.
Last season, on their way to finishing fifth in the National League 1 table, Moseley broke several club records :-
Most team points in a league season- 854 (previously 785 in 2005/06)
Biggest league winning points margin (Home) -58 points – 72-14 v Cambridge 8th October 2016
Most points scored in a league game (Home) – 72 points as above
Most team tries in a league season – 114 (previously 83 in 1999/2000)
Most individual tries in a league season – 20 Ed Sheldon equalling Nathan Bressington in 2005/06
Most team tries scored in a league match – 11 v Cambridge 8th October 2016 (previously 9 v Sale 4 April 1992)
Most league conversions in a season – 70 James Williams (previously 49 by Ollie Thomas 2005/06)
Most conversions in a league match -8 James Williams v Old Albanians Oct 2016 (previously 6 by Richard le Bas v Rotherham, April 1997)
Most league & cup appearances – 341 Adam Caves (previously 286 by Richard Stott)
A tough task therefore awaits !