DISAPPOINTED Director of Rugby Seb Reynolds admitted an unforced error count ‘through the roof’ was to blame for the 35-14 loss at Birmingham Moseley.
An Ellis Jones try converted by Ross McKay put Rams in front on 16 minutes.
But they trailed at the break with Jack Conliffe adding to scores from Ben Pogson and Nathan Decalmer, the latter with the last play of the opening period.
The visitors earlier missed several opportunities to establish a buffer before falling behind.
Yet they levelled through a Matt Wickham seven-pointer to put the game in the balance.
Ultimately, though, they fell to a fourth successive National One loss at Billesley Common.
Ethan Priest, Nick Bingham and Jayden Wrottesley all crossed for tries added to by Zac Jones to seal the deal for Moseley.
‘Unable to establish momentum’
A philosophical Seb admitted: “It wasn’t great and there are clear reasons why we weren’t able to establish any clear momentum in the game.
“Early on we looked reasonably dangerous, our tempo play in their half was good, but we couldn’t string consistent periods of play together.
“We should have grown into the game but either lost possession at the line-out, infringe with a tackle (height), and those things constantly cost us field position.”
He continued: “The unforced error count is through the roof right now.
“It’s something which happens when you bring a new group together, the cohesion isn’t there, and you hope it’s something which happens while you’re still able to get wins under your belt.
“But in a game I felt we would perform in, we’ve come away with nothing and it’s something we have to look at.
“There are so many new elements, but the guys will put it right.”
‘A massive swing’
A key moment came eight minutes from time with Rams trailing 21-14, Moseley claiming a line-out on halfway and doubling their advantage through Bingham and Jones.
Seb said: “It was a massive swing. We’re looking to haul it back to 19-21 or level where we can compete for the game, but it goes the other way.
“Then where the new lads are looking to build confidence (it maybe takes a knock). But with 50 per cent line-out ball, you’re not going to win games.
“(On the plus side) we scored a couple of tries with relative ease where we got outside them, but physically they’re good.
“In the tackle area they held us up, slowed us down at the breakdown and we simply didn’t deserve to win. Full credit to Moseley for their victory.”
Rams will look to put things right at home to Bury St Edmunds next Saturday (3pm).
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