Plymouth Albion 48 Moseley 0

Moseley suffered a big setback in the quest to hang on to their National One status when they were on the end of a seven try thumping by Plymouth Albion at a wind-swept Brickfields.

After impressive away performances at high riding Leeds Tykes and Doncaster

Knights, Moseley went into the game with renewed confidence, but French winger Nic Sestartet set two Albion club records as he ran in five tries against a Moseley side that made too many unforced errors.

Three of Plymouth's seven tries were straight forward sprints to the line following handling errors by the visitors. Moseley skipper Andy Binns admitted: "We were very disappointed not to get anything out of the game."

"We started well but lost the ball and were 7-0 down which was a real kick in the teeth. We spilt far too much ball and Plymouth took all their chances."

When asked about the run-in, Binns added: "We will have to train well this week and we need a good performance against Nottingham next Saturday. If we play well three times, it should be enough to keep us in the league."

Ian Smith's side also ended the game with a number of injured players. Particularly worrying was the loss of props Ben Buxton and Kevin Moran, who must be doubts for the Nottingham game.

In the third minute Moseley had Albion pinned back in their 22 but a dropped pass enabled Sestaret to sprint in under the posts from 80 metres out.

Albion centre Regardt Van Eyk converted and then kicked a penalty which put the home side ten points clear in as many minutes.

A long miss-pass from Albion fly half Ed Barnes gave full back Nat Saumi the chance to put Sestaret over for his second of the game. Van Eyk converted before Albion hooker James Owen scored his side's third try from a rolling maul.

Moseley had a chance to open their account on the half hour when Albion were penalised for offside right in front of their posts. Binns opted for a scrum rather than a kick at goal but the opportunity was lost with a knock on near the try line.

Shortly before half time, Sestaret completed his hattrick and Van Eyk's conversion left Moseley with a mountain to climb as they went into the break 29-0 down.

Albion took their foot off the gas after half time but despite having their fair share of possession, Moseley never really threatened to cross the home try line. Another dropped ball, this time on the Moseley ten metre line, gave Sestaret the chance to sprint up the left touchline for his fourth try which went unconverted.

Plymouth replacement centre Arran Cruickshanks claimed try No 6 when he snapped up a loose ball near half way and easily outpaced the cover defence. Van Eyk converted before Sestaret finished proceedings with his record breaking fifth try of the game which took him to 26 for the season. Van Eyk concluded the scoring with the simple conversion.

Moseley's three remaining games, which are home matches with Nottingham and London Welsh as well as a final-day visit to relegated Waterloo, all look winnable.

The only consolation for Moseley on a most disappointing afternoon was the news that near neighbours Pertemps Bees had done them a huge favour by beating Otley 57-23.

PLYMOUTH ALBION: Saumi; Arscott, Van Eyk, Fisilau (Cruickshanks 63), Sestaret; Barnes (Vaenuku 67), Lewsey (Newman 74); Evans, Owen (Oxley 63), Zimmerman (Williams 57), Gulliver, Hayes, Genoud (Lewis 52), Stroud, Lowrie (Smith 71).

MOSELEY: Hayes; Bressington (Winter 52), Binns, A Reay, O'Leary; Thomas, Hunter (Knight 67); Buxton (Caves 80), Caves (Bick 71), Moran (Coles 52), Arnold (Skelding 61), Stott, Mason (Lightowler 67), Bignall, Rodwell.