One Ply

try scorer
By David Hibell
September 27 2004

Ultimately Plymouth won thanks to a combination of a masterclass in defensive play, bad decision making and poor handling from the Bristol players. But the Shoguns have shown that they have a pack that can cope with anything, they won't face many more 13 man shoves that's for sure!

Bristol lost their 100% record with defeat to Plymouth Albion, but won the Bristol leg of the biannual pushing contest that Plymouth seem determined to turn this fixture into with the forwards more than a match for the Plymouth eight, or thirteen, or however many forwards they have.
Before the match report I would just like to bring selected parts of these two laws to the attention of Mr David Rose the match official as a little reminder
LAW 21. RUCK
A ruck, which can take place only in the field-of-play, is formed when the ball is on the ground and one or more players from each team are on their feet and in physical contact, closing around the ball between them.
If the ball in a ruck is on or over the goal line the ruck is ended.
(2)
A player must not:-
(a)
return the ball into the ruck, or
Penalty:- Free kick at the place of infringement
(b)
handle the ball in the ruck except in the act of securing a try or touch-down, or
(c)
pick up the ball in the ruck by hand or legs, or
Penalty:- For (b) to (g), a penalty kick at the place of infringement.
(3)
When the ball in a ruck becomes unplayable a scrummage shall be ordered and the ball put in by the team moving forward immediately prior to the stoppage. When neither team was moving forward or when the referee is unable to determine which team was moving forward, the ball shall be put in by the team moving forward immediately before the formation of the ruck and if no team was moving forward by the attacking team.
Note:-
(ii)
Before whistling for a scrummage the referee should allow a reasonable time for the ball to emerge from the ruck particularly if either team is moving forward. If the ruck becomes stationary or in the opinion of the referee the ball will probably not emerge from the ruck without delay, he should order a scrummage.

LAW 22. MAUL
A maul, which can take place only in the field-of-play, is formed by one or more players from each team on their feet and in physical contact closing round a player who is carrying the ball.
A maul ends when the ball is on the ground or the ball or a player carrying it emerges from the maul or when a scrummage is ordered.
If the ball in a maul is on or over the goal line the maul is ended.

(4)
(a)
When a maul becomes stationary or the ball in a maul becomes unplayable a scrummage shall be ordered and the ball shall be put in by the team NOT in possession at the commencement of the maul, except where the referee is unable to determine which team was in possession then the ball shall be put in by the team which was moving forward prior to the stoppage or, if neither team was moving forward by the attacking team.
Notes:-
(ii)
When the maul becomes stationary but the ball is being moved and can be seen by the referee, he should allow reasonable time for the ball to emerge but not permit the maul to start moving again. When the ball in a maul becomes unplayable the referee should not allow prolonged wrestling for the ball and should order a scrummage.
(iii)
If a player in a maul goes to ground including being on one knee or both knees or sitting on the ground, a scrummage is to be ordered unless the ball is immediately available for the continuation of play.
I.R.F.B. Ruling
4. A maul is not stationary if it is moving in any direction.

Plymouth had several changes to their starting fifteen from the team in the program, the starting line up for them was Carrington, Robinson, Fisilau, Saumi, Pritchard, Barnes, Cane, Ozdemir, Dawe, Parkes, Perry, Luxton, Schusterman, Thomas, Ward-Smith.

Bristol were as per the program, the line up being Marsden, Stanojevic, Billig, Cox, Nabaro, Strange, Blake, Hilton, Nelson, Crompton, Pearce, Hodge, Salter, El Abd, Brownrigg

The opening of the match saw both teams testing out each others defences, Plymouth gained ground with a long diagonal kick from fly half Ed Barnes to the corner gaining 50 yards forcing Bristol to clear to touch, they managed to steal the line out and move play up to the Bristol 10 yard line. Plymouth tried their first rolling maul of the day but the Bristol forwards were up to the ask and repelled it, the ball was moved to the Plymouth backs before Barnes put a high ball up in the swirling wind. Sean Marsden fielded the ball cleanly and made a break up the middle of the pitch with support on both sides he drew the man and put Joe El Abd in under the posts leaving Jason Strange with an easy conversion to make it 7-0.

Plymouth were able to strike back moving the ball up field and coming off the back of a half hour long maul Barnes was able to find several holes in the Bristol defence and cut through with a couple of hefty hand offs to find Nat Saumi, the conversion attempt from James Pritchard hitting the woodwork.

Galvanised by the score against them Bristol attacked back gaining ground with straight lines of running setting up a promising situation on the five yard line, but Mr Rose penalised Ed Pearce for diving in.

Bristol kept up the offensive for most of the half with the ball camped deep in the Plymouth 22, with their mauls gaining ground before releasing the backs, the ball was spread left and right, and several overlaps were spurned, but the Plymouth defence was resolute. Plymouth did manage the odd foray into the Bristol half but seemed content to play a semi rugby league style way of passing once and running into contact to lay the ball back that did not gain much ground, although they did get the opportunity to have a pot at goal from a penalty but Pritchard was having an off day with the boot and pulled his kick left.

Bristol contrived to waste chance after chance, with passes not going to hand, knock ons and wrong options being taken. Several times they came within a few feet of the try line but the half came to a close with a scrum awarded to Plymouth after another promising position had been reached.

The second half saw Plymouth attempt to ostracise every one at the south side of the ground by keeping play at that end. Play stayed by the family enclosure for fully nine minutes as they repeatedly tried to maul over the try line, with up to thirteen men involved, but Bristol held them out, the referee awarding several penalties saw Plymouth look for the penalty try but Bristol drove them back from the umpteenth consecutive line out and clear the bal to safety.

Twenty six minutes in and Plymouth changed tactics and actually ran with the ball, the replacement second row Chris Lowrie being most prominent a fine cover tackle by Luke Nabaro keeping him out when he looked certain to score in the right corner.

Plymouth got the games third try when Dan Ward-Smith exploited a lapse in concentration to run in on the left wing and he touched down under the posts to make the conversion easier to put Plymouth five points up.

Bristol were fired up by this and Plymouths defence again held firm from wave after wave of attack. With ten minutes left Richard Hill brought on Neil Clark and Alex Clarke for Dave Hilton and Saul Nelson, and Rob Higgitt for Sam Cox. The change seemed like it would pay immediate dividends with Rob Higgitt making several bursts through the defence, one in particular deep in injury time after a fine break from Marco Stanojevic setting up what looked like Bristol’s chance to reclaim the lead after he was stopped on the line after beating 4 players. The ball was moved left from this and then as the Plymouth players were drawn into the ruck was shifted right where there was a massive overlap, Jason Strange elected to go for the line and was held up. The ball was moved right from this and Sean Marsden got over the line taking Keni Fisilau with him, and after consultation with the touch judge, the try was disallowed as Fisilau had held him up.

Plymouths defence won the game for them, in my opinion Bristol were the better team, they played more rugby, but Plymouth played the referee better, and in these games you have to play on until the referee blows.