Plymouth Albion 27 - 28 Bedford Blues

After the last couple of weeks Plymouth Albion have found a real resurgence in their form, so on arriving at a windy but dry Brickfields today, I was expecting a real tight game and so it proved.

Albion took the kick off and the ball hung high in the air and it looked like a Bedford player had knocked on, however, play continued and Bedford got a penalty. With just 3 minutes on the clock Bedford Blues took the lead, from a catch and drive for which Albion couldn't stop and Neil Cochrane got over the whitewash, with J. Pritchard converting 0-7.

Bedford were dominant in the early stages, and nearly scored again when Mark Atkinson made a break and put winger J. Stephenson away, Albion did manage to force Blues into touch.

The game was being played at a great pace, with both sides trying to entertain, with Bedford still spending long periods of time in the Albion half, it was difficult to see how Albion were going to take a foothold in the game.

Eventually after more pressure Bedford on 29 mins, got their second try when J. Stephenson got in near the posts, and the ever dependable J. Pritchard converted again 0-14.

From the restart Bedford lost the ball in their 22, with Albion pressing really hard R McAtee got over the line with P. Roberts managing to convert 7-14, and the crowd sensed game on.

Just before the half time whistle Albion got at Bedford again, and were awarded a pen which P. Roberts converted and that was Half time 10-14.

At the start of the second I thought Bedford looked a little sluggish and Albion seemed to sense an opportunity and on 44 mins Albion took the lead in the game for the first time. With Blues not clearing their lines the impressive P. Bailey on for injured R. McAtee made a great break offloading to Harrison Tovey who had quite a bit to do before going in right in the corner. The conversion was missed just as it fell just under the posts. 15-14.

From the restart Albion this time managed to mess up and a break by Mark Atkinson letting in Josh Bassett to restore Blues lead and once again, J. Pritchard converted 15-21.

After 48 mins, Albion scored the try of the afternoon, after a great B. Armitage break he set up R. Cushion to go over in between the posts. P. Roberts converts 22-21.

End to end rugby, and both sides making replacements, Albion wasted another couple of pens as they lost their lineouts. However, Albion did manage to charge down a Bedford kick and the ball went dead. I was expecting a five metre scrum, and that never happened.

After more lineout losses, Albion nearly committed sucicide after losing the ball and Bedford awarded a five metre scrum. Bedford could not take advantage and Albion managed to turn Bedford over.

With full time approaching on 79 mins, the real heartbreak, the impressive Mark Atkinson broke away before feeding Darryl Veenendaal to score and J. Pritchard again converting 22-28.

Going into injury time and what drama, with Albion pressing the Blues line Albion knocked on and Bedford put in Albion managed again to turn Blues over recycle the ball and A. Carpenter got over right in the corner. 27-28, with the last kick of the game to come and with it the match. What pressure, from right out on the touchline it looked from the main Grandstand that the ball was sailing over for it to take a little swerve and miss by about a foot.

Great game played by both sides. Bedford taking 5 points and Albion 2. Great entertainment just that elusive win will not come despite a tremendous effort from the team.

MOM: All the Albion squad for their efforts and commitment.