Match report Nottingham .v. Albion : B&I cup
By HitR
January 18 2014
Albion kicked off on a cool brightish early aftenoon and started as though they ment business.The pitch, typical of the round ball game was flat and more or less shorn of grass. However it appeared well drained and if the rain held off we could expect a good running game.
Albion started the brightest and after 3 mins it appeared they had scored a try in the corner after the ref played advantage . However, Albion were deemed to had crossed in the build up. Still, we had the penalty which Muggy coolly converted. 0-3.
Albion seemed to have rubbed the sleep from their eyes slightly better than their opponents and we're soon pressing again after a great kick from Mugford from his own 22 to the Notts 22. Unfortunately, Albion were unable to press this advantage and on 8 mins Notts were level with a penalty of their own. 3-3.
Between times, Albion we're looking distinctly iffy at the set piece, particularly the scrum.
Albion were clearly on the look out for 5 pts from this match and when Notts gave away another penalty Mugford went for the corner. For once, the line out worked perfectly and a quick short throw in led to Mcgregor going over in the corner. It was the most difficult of conversions, right on the line, but Mugford converted brilliantly. 3-10
Thereafter , Albion contrived to produce a master class in how not to play rugby: disjointed defence, dreadful set piece, terrible passing, knock on"s. Almost the entire repertoire of calamities.
During this time Notts notched up two penalties and a converted try to give them a 16-10 lead. The final five minutes of the 1st half were probably the turning point: Albion shook off the awfulness of the preceding 20 minutes and pressed the Notts line hard. Penalty after penalty led to a yellow card for Notts. Albion pressed and pressed for the try that would give the a half time lead but it wouldn't come. In the end pragmatism prevailed and Mugford took the 3 pts on offer. HT 16:13
One hoped that Albion would come out for the second half much rejuvenated by their finish to the 1st and, no doubt, from succinct advice from Shanners.
Whatever was said, it seemed to work and Albion used their man advantage to put 14 points on the board.
Immediately Albion were in the Notts 22 and won a penalty. Notts lost their captain to a yellow card and the posts are eschewed, Albion opt for the 5m line out . And it worked, a solid throw in and Langley goes over. Muggy, back to his best, converts.
Albion were rampant: a slick passing move fed Tom Bowen who accelerated through a gap for try number 3. Muggy maintains his 100% kicking and converts. 16-27
Shanners takes off Harrison and Shires and brings on Morton and Rice on 50 minutes. Notts waste an opportunity to kick for a 5 m line out when they kick beyond the corner flag. At last, it seems Albion are having bit of luck.
Replacements continue to flow and on 55 mins McGregor is replaced by Cowan-Dickie and on 58 mins, Cusack and Stevens come on for Nonu and Elder. Albion now begin to have some sort of parity in the scrum and instead of the inevitable penalty against Albion start to win a few. Who'd have thought,
Albion continued to attack and the back line were looking threatening throughout the half
Albion got their 4th try when Matavesi who had come on for an injured Tovey in the first half went over from close quarters after good pressure from the forwards. Again, converted by Muggy. 16-34.
Albion appeared to ease off a little thereafter and rather let Notts come back at them. A yellow card to SMS defending the line left the scrum vulnerable and after some pressure by Notts, resulting in a scrum on the 5m line, they were awarded a penalty try. 23-34.
The final 5 minutes were a little harum scarum as Albion displayed a little of the nervousness that has afflicted them this season, but in truth they were comfortable winners against a Nottingham side that gave plenty of effort but rarely looked as though they would take the match by the scruff of the neck. And it finished 23-34 to Albion.
In summary: generally a good match for Albion punctuated by a truly horrible 20 minute play in the first half. Shanners will probably be pleased but will strive for an 80minute display of rugby that we all know Albion can deliver.
Elsewhere in pool 4, Munster beat Stirling County away but were unable to overhaul Albion's points difference advantage. So, we win pool 4 and are through to the Q finals.
Well done lads,, Albi Albi Albi..... On On On...
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Seems like with the heads screwed on right we can take on anyone.
Just need to find the right bolts.
My body is a temple - I desecrate it every day
Thanks to Tim for subbing it and ironing out the errors,
thanks.
Semper Sersum.
Quote:distance I can see fine. Just can't see what's right in front of menoibla
Thank god you didn't need them to see the game.
thanks.
Beating Munster at home was very creditable. If one looks at the final 8, they are all very good sides.
When one bears in mind that Scottish and Welsh both failed to get through, it puts into perspective how well the lads have done.
On a different note: how are the gate proceeds split? Does the home side keep all the gate money?