Championship 13/14 - Round 9.
By stonehousealbion
November 21 2013
So – the Meadow Lane hex is still in place. Close (15 – 10, LBP, no tries against), but definitely no cigar. Reflecting on the long trek up to Robin Hood country, it’s hard to believe that my last trip there was to watch Nottingham host Bedford in the second leg of the play-off semis as an end of season “treat”. The Blues prevailed, but couldn’t prevent the return of Newcastle to the AP. Since then a lot of water has passed under the Trent bridges. Notts have had well-aired money problems - and Bedford, after losing several senior players in a shortened summer break, have struggled to find any kind of form. They lost 13 - 26 to a resurgent Moseley last Friday, if further proof was needed.
"I guess that's why they call it the blues", sang Elton back in the 80s. Bedford's finest, and in many ways the archetypal Championship club, can't get arrested this season. If they didn't have bad luck (Ealing), they'd have no luck at all. Their malaise is well documented elsewhere (see below) with much venting of spleens and jerking of knees - anything from wholesale re-casting of the front row to heads on sticks in the coaching department. There is also discontent among the fans after their club summarily closed down the "Have Your Say" forum on the official website. It certainly ain't all sweetness and light on the replacement Sportnetwork board, either...
With a short five day break, Albion must approach this game with cast-iron resolve and absolute ruthlessness. The opposition cannot be allowed a look-in – full stop. With a relative surplus of riches, we have been able to field a variety of line-ups to varying effect this season. Now is the time for our best available 22 to go out and perform. If the scrum still is far from the finished product (it was the lifeline for Nottingham on Sunday), then the handling must be 100% and Langley, Bowen and co. given full rein. Let’s not forget the drubbing that was dealt out at Goldington Road a year ago. A bigger test awaits us next week as another highly-modified team visits in the form of Rotherham.
Here then, are the fixtures for this weekend:
Fri 22 Nov
Plymouth Albion v Bedford Blues 19:45 Brickfields
Sat 23 Nov
Rotherham Titans v Nottingham 14:00 Clifton Lane
Moseley v London Welsh 15:00 Billesley Common
Sun 24 Nov
Cornish Pirates v Bristol Rugby 15:00 The Mennaye
Ealing Trailfinders v London Scottish 15:00 Trailfinders Sports Club
Leeds Carnegie v Jersey 15:00 Headingley
As mentioned, with the Titans visit upcoming, the result at Clifton Lane will be significant – how lucky were Notts against us and can they front up to one of the league leaders? With Moseley putting some form together, can they ruin the Exiles picnic? Scrutiny of Bristol will continue as they travel to Cornwall in a re-run of sorts of the DH at Sandy Park - we of all people know that they are not bullet-proof... Ealing, who perhaps made only four mistakes at the Kassam last Sunday, should at least approach a home game with less trepidation as they welcome Scottish in a W London derby. With a real “smash and grab” at home under their belt, Jersey are on the road (or more correctly, “the wing”) at Leeds – the dark horses of the C’ship in my book.
An interesting set of games, an interesting time of the season – continuing proof that the deck has definitely been re-shuffled since 2012/13. Having comprehensively misfired on the prediction front last week, I will refrain, but feel free to do so below.
Blues' Blues: http://www.rolling-maul.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10992&title=whats-happening-to-the-blues
Blues Forum: http://www.rugbynetwork.net/boards/list/s745.htm
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bbc.co.uk
Wrap up warm!
Come cheer up, my lads - 'tis to glory we steer!
Albion, Rotherham, Welsh, Pirates, Scottish (but I also think Ealing will at last get a point!), Jersey.
A lot of tight games so wont be too surprised if I get most of the above wrong
Run like a Rampaging Rhino - It is BIG and it is Clever
Heeeeeeeaaaaavvvveee
Plymouth Albion 16 - 27 Bedford Blues
John 11:35. If we don't boo, what should we do?
Another lead slips through our fingers. We finished with 14 men (again!) after the bench had been emptied and injury to Arnott was injured, but preversely didn't ship another point. Maybe the challenge of Roth will re-invigorate our faltering revival? Otherwise, lost for words and rational thought.
If yachting is standing under a cold shower flushing fivers down the toilet, watching Albion in November is similarly unproductive, but slightly less detrimental to your wealth.
Stupefied!
Come cheer up, my lads - 'tis to glory we steer!
Albion had the superior territory during the first half but could not break a dogged defence down; in deed the try came from a wayward pass.
For me Bedford defended stoutly, won the breakdown with multi turnovers which led to us not having a plan B to work them out.
After tonight's performance I really hope the coach will concentrate on coaching rather than playing.
On the plus - the line-out functioned well, as did the scrum (improved anyway) + no yellow cards; and good to see Herbie make some impact.
But we were second best in the 2nd half and people were leaving with 10 minutes to go!
Hopefully the boys will see the Rotherham game as a big challenge and respond accordingly, very poor tonight.
Rotherham Titans 17 - 11 Nottingham
Moseley 8 - 24 London Welsh
Rotherham suffering from the same kind of disciplinary woes as us at times - down to 13 men and umpteen penalties against which Notts were unable to convert into points. A glimmer of hope for next week?
Interim table:
bbc.co.uk
Still 7th at the half way stage...
Come cheer up, my lads - 'tis to glory we steer!
Semper Sersum.
Cornish Pirates 21 - 15 Bristol Rugby
Ealing Trailfinders 10 - 36 London Scottish
Leeds Carnegie 29 -13 Jersey
Table:
rfu.com
No change to our position - still a win between us and Mose.
Come cheer up, my lads - 'tis to glory we steer!