Moseley made sure they did not achieve the impossible against Cornish Pirates and play more poorly than they had in their previous three matches. That would have taken some real invention.

Indeed they left this game with a league point, an improved display and the conviction that they have finally rediscovered the dog that makes them such awkward opponents.

There was also a solid return from club captain Gareth Taylor and a dynamic effort from the pack whose work-rate, application and - to a large extent - execution was considerably better than the visitors’.

But let’s not go too overboard about how far they came in this, their 12th of 22 Championship fixtures.

They have still not discovered how to play in both halves of the same game and while the manner in which they opened was promising, the way they conceded the initiative, territory and the result in the second period was as galling as anything proffered in recent weeks.

Clearly the wind, rain and slope distort every fixture on this ground but one wonders whether the current Moseley team has the skillset or mindset to play against the elements.

Yes the first half was better, but their approach to playing uphill was just as poor as it had been against London Welsh and Ulster.

They seem paralysed by a theory that the only way to progress against the gradient is to attack around the fringes and through the forwards.

As long as they continue ploughing that furrow they will be predictable, easy to defend and under increasing pressure.

That is not to say they should stand behind their own sticks, peer up the pitch to the summit of Mt Billesley and throw everything to the wind; caution, the ball indeed the whole kitchen suite.

But there has to be another way, they at least have to ask their opponents some questions because that’s what they stopped doing.

And what about down the slope? Well, in truth they weren’t much better and the fact they built a 19-0 lead owed much to the advantages conferred by the topography and the climate.

They scored one try and even that was more through fortune than quality as Chevvy Pennycook chased his own charge down.

Outside of that there were only two other chances, both fell to Callum MacBurnie, the outside centre making his home debut.

The first came following a Tristan Roberts break which looked as though it would be rewarded when MacBurnie appeared on his shoulder at full pelt.

Sadly the former Colts captain was tap tackled and lost his momentum.

The second, midway through the opening half, was an absolute shocker.

Pirates lost control of the ball in their own 22, Neil Mason recovered and laid off to Richard Stott.

The second row fed MacBurnie who scooted over the line unhindered.

Unfortunately referee Luke Pearce adjudged Stott’s pass to be forward and if it was one can only assume MacBurnie’s over anxiety to get forward cost him and his side at least five points.

By comparison the Cornishmen produced three opportunities and took two, the first to Rhodri McAtee after an outstanding off-load by Jon Bentley and the second - at the death - from Nick Jackson.

Much has been said about the current breakdown laws mitigating against attacking play but from the moment Aly Muldowney was turned over in his own 22, there was only one thought on Pirates’ minds and that was to move the ball away from contact as quickly as possible.

It paid off and it is perhaps a lesson Moseley should learn.

MOSELEY: Borgen; Bressington, MacBurnie, Reay, Mensah-Coker; Roberts, Taylor; Sigley, Caves, Harden, Muldowney, Stott (Hall 72), Mason (Wilson 72), Rowland, Pennycook. Replacements: Protherough, Oselton, Thirlby, Williams, Simpson-Daniel.

PIRATES: Cook; McAtee, Ireland, Winn (Bright 54), Jackson; Bentley, Cattle; Andrew (Storer 73), Ward, Rimmer (Franklin 40), Pammenter, Labuschange (Collins 68), Betty, Holmes (Elloway 57), Cowan. Replacements: Doherty, Jones.

Referee: Luke Pearce (RFU).