Match Report - L Welsh (C'ship)

By Flanker 7
February 2 2014

After arriving at the Brickfields today, at about 14.15, I was expecting to see a very poor playing surface due to the amount of rain seen in the South-West in the last few days. The temperature had dropped considerably, and there was a very strong wind blowing towards the clubhouse end of the ground. To my consternation, the playing area looked a little soft underfoot. However, ground staff had done an excellent job to get the game on.

Albion got play underway and early pressure led to an early penalty which was kicked out. Albion were awarded another pen as a Welsh player infringed by not rolling away. Pressure was really building and D Cusack kicked to within 5 metres for a lineout which was duly, won drawing the Welsh defence in. The ball was got out wide for T. Bowen to score, this after 4 minutes play, and D, Cusack was also successful with the conversion. 7-0 - a great start made by the home team.

From the restart Albion made a mistake which led to an early Welsh penalty, as the first scrum went in favour of the Exiles. The dependable G Ross slotted to reduce the arrears to 7-3.

Straight from the kick off Welsh messed up allowing Albion to stay in the ascendancy. Their adventurous play led to another score as a superb grubber kick went in behind the Welsh defence, and the ever alert T H Berridge stole in under the post to touchdown, D Cusack was successful with conversion 14-3, with only 8 minutes on the clock.

There was a healthy attendance at the Brickfields today of 2024, after a charity event for St Lukes Hospice had taken place, so the ground had a feel good factor in it.

This feeling got even better for the home supporters as within 12 minutes of the game a third try was on the board. With the Welsh team looking stunned at the start Albion had made and were maintaining. G Ross kicked deep and was superbly taken by D. Mugford who set off on a mazy run eluding many Welsh tackles, before feeding Albion speedster T. Bowen who got within inches of the line and when the ball was recycled S.Matavasi powered over close to the posts. D Cusack was once again successful, taking Albion out into a 21-3 lead.

With such a good start made, it was necessary for each of the Albion players to stayed focussed and make their tackles to keep the Exiles at bay. Welsh were awarded a penalty and had no choice but to kick for the corner. After a good catch and drive (with backs also looking to add their weight), They were successful in reducing the arrears to 21-8. With the elements starting to have an effect on kicking, the conversion was missed by G Ross.

There was a real steely look in the Albion players eyes today, denying any space for the Welsh team to operate and take a foothold in the game. G Ross, who orchestrates most attacking Welsh options was being closed down very early and Welsh's error count was having a major effect on how this game's outcome could be affected.

On 33 minutes I was quite surprised to see Albion score another well worked try when S Matavesi kept the ball live, and after more good work T. Bowen strode away from the Welsh defenders as if they didn't exist to score the bonus point try, taking the ball in by the posts to hand D.Cusack a simple conversion; 28-8.

As the first half came to a close, Welsh who were imperious in the scrum, then pushed Albion off their own feed and attacked with J Ticknell going towards the corner before offloading to what seemed like a forward pass to many of the home support. This was not upheld by either the assistant referee, or the match official. With a difficult conversion, G Ross managed to reduce the arrears (even though he slipped), to 28-15 after a successful conversion.

What a first half of rugby! Could Albion secure their first home league win? Many thought there was going to be a Welsh onslaught with the elements second half in the Exiles favour.

The second half Welsh kicked off hoping to spend a lot more time in the Albion red zone. With replacements being made by Welsh this didn't bring about any dominance in the game, the ball was being thrown around by the backs and just when you thought they were going to get back into the game the moves would breakdown was the Albion defence today had that impregnable look about them, with a real determination to record their first home win.

After Albion won another penalty (which was once again converted by D Cusack who was having a real big game for Albion making many good clearances relieving pressure on the Albion defence), taking the score to 31-15. Now the Exiles were looking at three scores to save the game.

There was then a ten minute hold up in proceedings as C Cook chased a ball to the Albion try line in a desperate attempt to score. A serious looking injury to his shoulder occured, where he was carried off on a stretcher and taken off to hospital. We all at Albion wish him well and hope the injury is not a bad as first feared.

This seemed to take the sting out of the Exiles, and a normally strong lineout was non-functional for large parts of the game. Credit must go to Albion for putting them under extreme pressure.

With the clock running down, several replacements made by each team, one of our one time players, M Denbee, clearly knocked on deep in his own half and the surprise led to the Exiles making a fatal error as they kicked the ball straight to C Elder (who had come on for D Cusack - injured). He caught the ball and just took off, evading a lunging tackle to score in the corner and put the icing on the cake. From a very difficult angle, the conversion was missed.

What a superb effort by all the squad today, who all contributed to our first home league success. There will be a lot of aching bodies tonight. Thanks for your huge efforts today, you made a lot of Albion supporters very happy. Now for another difficult away fixture next week at London Scottish, however, that winning momentum has significant impact on a team. Once again, great team display.

Thanks to all who participated in the Mens Walk to raise funds for St Lukes hospice, your efforts are truly appreciated.

On another note, I would like to bring to everybody's attention Plymouth Albion RFC are going to host on May 9 2014 a first Plymouth Comedy Club night at the Brickfields, I have attended these nights in the city previously and they are very good nights of entertainment. I hope many supporters will book and support this event and purchase tickets when they come available.

Come on Albion!!!!!!!!

Match Report - L Welsh (C'ship)

Posted by: Unofficial Plymouth Albion (IP Logged)

Date: 02/02/2014 15:01

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