Match report Albion .v. Stirling
By BALION PREDATOR
January 11 2014
On a cool evening at Brickfields the supporters were building up to a good turn out of over 1100 for the game against Stirling who have yet to win a game in the B&I cup . Expectations are high for the home team to get a much needed win in front of their supporters as Albion are still yet to register a league win in their current league campaign .
Kick off was under way at 7-45 pm with Stirling converting a penalty after 8 minutes of play 0 – 3 . On 12 minutes of play Declan converts a penalty to level 3 – 3 .
Albion take an edge at scrum time and get numerous penalties which takes them closer to Stirling's try line . After various scrum collapses the referee sends two props off , one from each team . Matt shields comes on for the binning of Davy Morton and Jamie Davies makes way for that enforced replacement . From the resultant scrum , Albion drive Stirling back over their line for Rhys Oakley to score on 20 minutes of play and ably converted by Declan 10 – 3 .
3 minutes later Albion attack the Stirling line and a well worked try sees Toby Howley – Berridge score in the corner and Declan is unable to convert close from the touch line 15 – 3 .
Both teams return to 15 players on the field of play and more scrums and penalties are given in Albion's favour with Stirling's 7 being yellow carded at a breakdown close to Stirling's line . On 35 minutes of play Albion have a 5m scrum and are held up on the line . Another 5m scrum to Albion which Albion are too keen to get an early shove and are penalised with a free kick to Stirling who clear their line .
Albion win line out on Stirling's 22 and drive well , the backs are released down to wing man Ben Woods who goes in the corner , 4 minutes before the half time whistle Declan misses wide out and the score is 20 – 3 .
2 minutes later Albion are knocking on Stirling's door again and Harrison Tovey scores with Declan adding the conversion 27 – 3 and with half time looming Albion have 4 tries and 5 points .
2nd Half gets under way with heavy rainfall and conditions are very different for Albion playing towards the North terrace . The game becomes very scrappy and unforced errors with Stirling struggling to hold on to the ball .
After 21 minutes and several replacements for Albion Ben Woods gets his second try in the corner which Dan Mugford brilliantly converts 34 – 3 .
On the half hour Pale Nonu goes in for Albion's 6th and final try ,Dan mugford's conversion is missed and the score is 39 – 3 . The rain eventually turns to drizzle and the second half for both teams was marred by errors and knock-ons . Albion's 2nd half performance was disappointing and was probably hampered with the weather , but both teams play the conditions and Stirling were very committed from start to finish .
Overall a good win and 5 points . Scrum & line out much better . The next home league game against London Welsh should be a good indication on how the team will progress over the second half of the season.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
Strangely enough neither side reacted at the time of the incident , so maybe start a topic on whether the red was warranted or not .
Plymouth Bred , Plymouth Born .
C'mon Albiiioooonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn.
Of slight concern is the fact that the eighth criterium for deciding who progresses to the QFs is:
"the fewest number of players shown a red card in the Pool Stage shall determine the rankings"
(Have Munster had any Reds?)
Fingers crossed that RL escapes any serious sanction for what I reckon was an aggressive, but ultimately honest tackle.
Come cheer up, my lads - 'tis to glory we steer!