Moseley 11 Doncaster 18
Make no mistake, Moseley could have easily won this contest and shocked second in the table Doncaster Knights.
Moseley matched Doncaster in every department - especially in the line-out, where they dominated.
But ultimately it was unforced errors and unnecessary infringements that robbed them of a famous victory.
Doncaster have already established themselves as the main danger to Northampton in National One this term after finishing third last season.
But Moseley made them look very ordinary at times and by the final whistle, Doncaster were hanging on for dear life as the Red and Blacks pounded away at their try-line.
More to the point, coach Ian Smith was prepared to show a ruthless streak at half time, to indicate that Moseley aren't prepared to settle for second best this season.
Unhappy at the way Moseley had fallen behind 18-5 at half time, Smith rang the changes.
He replaced fly half Greg MacDonald with Matt Jones, while Nathan Bressington came on to the right wing and Oliver Winter was switched to full back in preference to Matt Williams.
Smith explained: "Certain personnel weren't on the ball today. We went through a period before half time where we were flat.
"In the second half we looked much stronger and the signs suggest we could be a surprise package this season but the players have to be aware we need to show more attention to detail.
"At the end we were unlucky not to score and win a game where we shouldn't have expected anything".
A shock looked on the cards from the word go when Moseley rocked Doncaster with a second minute try.
The Knights failed to deal with a regulation clearance kick from fly-half MacDonald which allowed left wing Daniel Norton to gather with Doncaster in sudden disarray.
Norton shipped the ball inside to Paul Cox, who in turn fed fellow centre Jack Adams on the burst to force his way over the in corner.
MacDonald missed a difficult touchline conversion and did not have another shot at goal.
Doncaster wasted little time with their response. A series of drives and mauls forced Moseley back towards their own line where v isiting skipper and No.8 Glen Wilson stampeded over in the corner.
The trusty left boot of Doncaster fly half Mark Woodrow did the rest, his conversion putting the Knights 7-5 ahead.
Twice Moseley were penalised for holding on in the tackles and twice Woodrow - who is the second highest points scorer in National One this season - punished the hosts with precision shots at goal.
The game appeared to be going away from Moseley when Doncaster registered their second try close to half time.
Right wing Justin Bishop was allowed to run across field before smartly slipping the ball inside for centre Bradley Hunt, who carved through Moseley's cover.
Woodrow was surprisingly off-target with his conversion attempt - but many at Moseley feared the floodgates would open in the second half.
It never happened. One dangerous foray from South African left wing Donovan Van Vuuren has Moseley hearts in their mouths.
And though Doncaster spent a spell camped inside Moseley's 22, they could find no way through a resolute defence.
Instead it was Moseley who looked increasingly more threatening as the match progressed.
Two second half penalties by replacement fly half Jones followed as Doncaster then incurred referee JP Doyle's displeasure for not releasing in the tackle.
It should have been closer at the end when Jones completely mis-hit a third penalty attempt.
And it was a relieved Doncaster who were holding on at the finish as Moseley enjoyed much the better of second half exchanges.
MOSELEY: M Williams (Bressington); Winter, Adams, Cox Norton; MacDonald (Jones) Ireland; N Williams, McMillen (Lea), Sigley; Atkinson, Stott; Evans, Bignell (Uzoigwe), Blading (Lighthowler).
DONCASTER: Davies; Bishop, Hunt, Luke, Van Vuuren; Woodrow, Jones; Davies (List), Bowden, Tau (Rawson), Griffiths (Tomes), Kenworthy, Gray, Grainger, Wilson (Planchant).
Referee: JP Doyle
