BRIAN DICK
Moseley received a double boost yesterday with a kind draw in the EDF Energy National Trophy and the news no further action will be taken against back row forward Neil Mason.
The dynamic blindside appeared at a disciplinary hearing in Coventry last night to answer a charge of foul play after his sending off against Leeds Carnegie.
Mason was dismissed early in the second half at Headingley Carnegie having been shown a second yellow card, the first for a technical offence, after colliding with an opponent as he pursued a kick-off in his team’s 53-20 defeat on November 23.
But the caution was rescinded and he is free to appear against Newbury on Saturday – a match that will be Moseley’s first for a fortnight following the cancellation of last weekend’s fixture at London Welsh.
That game will come too soon for prop Terry Sigley, not ready to make a comeback from his badly cut leg, although skipper Andy Reay will be able to return after a neck problem.
The Billesley Common outfit will begin their cup campaign against National Three outfit Henley Hawks, conquerors of Stourbridge in round three.
For head coach Ian Smith it is a throwback to his first crack at the competition with Moseley. “We played them when we were still at Bournbrook,” Smith said. “They were languishing at the foot of the First Division and we were near the top of National Two and managed to beat them. Things have changed a bit since then but like all teams who come to us they will be paid the full respect and we will do our analysis and research.”
The draw was not so benign for Birmingham & Solihull who face either a long trip north to face Wharfedale or south to take on Launceston following the cancellation of the third round tie between the two sides on Saturday.
Coventry visit Rotherham, where they lost by a single point last month, while Midlands One minnows Broadstreet are rewarded for their 11-10 win over Westoe, with a potential derby with Rugby.
