'FULL THROTTLE' CHEVVY CHASES MORE MOSE CUP GLORY.

Byline: BRIAN DICK

CHEVVY Pennycook has promised Moseley will be going 'full throttle' to retain their status as reigning cup kings.

The Red and Blacks enjoyed one of the best days in their history six months ago when they surprised Premiership-bound Leeds to win the EDF Energy National Trophy.

And even though the knockout format has changed this termPennycook and his teammates will be doing all they can to make it back to Twickenham.

But they will have to overcome some unfamiliar opponents to do it with Welsh, Irish and Scottish sides included in a new British & Irish Cup.

It's the first time clubs in the Championship will clash with the best of British as the 12 second tier outfits are joined by three from north of the border and three from the Emerald Isle.

There are also half a dozen from theWelsh Premiership and Mose find themselves pitted against Llanelli and Aberavon as well as Ulster.

But there are also a few old rivals and Ian Smith's men begin their battle at home to LondonWelsh at 7.30pm on Friday.

And Pennycook says the cup champions intend to hit the ground running.

"We will be going full throttle, we desperately want to do well like last year," the back row forward vowed.We want to keep building, do better in the league and continue to do well in the cup.

"And we will be looking to match what we did last year."

The openside believes lightning can strike twice too.

To make the semi finals next April Mose must win their group afterwhich they could face sides from Heineken Cup powerhouses Leinster or Munster.

"I think it's possible," he insisted. "We don't knowmuch about Ulster or Aberavon but we should definitely have beaten London Welsh when we played them in the league. That was really frustrating but it gives us the belief we can pull it off."

Key to that process will be home advantage.

After the Exiles come to the Common, Bedford are next up on November 27.

That gives Moseley a perfect opportunity to start off with two victories and thatwould have them sitting pretty when the competition recommences with the final three group games in February.

"It will be a cold night, a strong wind playing up the hill - welcome to Moseley," the 22-year-old warned.

"We'll do everythingwe can to win in front of our own fans.

"There's not been anything like it since I have been around.

"To play sides from Wales, Ireland, and Scotland with different players and different styles is exciting.

"And it's nice to play on a Friday, there's always a different atmosphere and it's good to have free weekend.

"We have had quite big crowds when we did it before against Coventry and Bristol.

"Hopefully there will be another one when we play LondonWelsh."

And Pennycook hopes to be in front of it too.

While there may be a temptation to rest key players the openside wants to carry on playing having endured a disrupted start to his Mose-ley career. The Bristolian joined from his home town club in the summer only to sustain a concussion during pre-season. That limited him to just one start in the first six games and - he admits - prevented him from showing his best.

"I felt really fit after pre-season then when I got injured it put me back a few weeks," he said.

"I am just trying to get some game-time undermy belt now.

"I am playing alright, probably about 60 per cent.

"I am doing alright in defence and over the ball but I think I have got a lot more to give in attack."

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BATTLE BEGINS: Chevvy Pennycook is up for the cup