Championship 13/14 - Round 16 (Catch-up)
By stonehousealbion
March 10 2014
As a much needed respite from the elements finally settles over the country, Albion forego the "weekend off" to entertain Jersey, a game postponed from Feb 15. Approaching this meeting from the heady heights of back to back wins in the league, team and coaches will be anxious to consolidate and build confidence ahead of tougher tests in the shape of Rotherham and Leeds (twice) in the coming month.
Everyone's favourite away fixture, Jersey have struggled in the Championship. Their enthusiastic fans talk the team up and they have coped well with the departure of a longstanding and popular coach earlier this term. The league table though, is an accurate indicator of their overall form. But for Ealing this year and Doncaster last, they would have been looking at a return to National 1. That said, they should not be underestimated - their wins include a Pirates scalp and a double over Nottingham. As a little space develops between them and the trapdoor, they will be keen to repeat last year's away victory at Brickfields.
The focus in training this week for us must surely be discipline, after another high penalty count and two simultaneous yellows at Goldington Road. It is no mean feat to keep the scoreboard steady over that spell, but there is no logic in putting so much pressure on needlessly. A convincing win for Albion next Saturday will bring the Pirates into range in the standings. (Don't forget, we host them at the end of this month...) They entertain London Welsh, who have strengthened their squad as the promotion play-offs approach. An upset over the Exiles similar to our own will be required to keep us off their heels.
Here are the fixtures that should bring parity to the league table:
Sat 15 Mar
Ealing Trailfinders v Bedford Blues 14:00 Trailfinders Sports Club
Plymouth Albion v Jersey 15:00 Brickfields
Sun 16 Mar
Cornish Pirates v London Welsh 15:00 The Mennaye
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
Ealing Trailfinders 23 - 39 Bedford Blues
Plymouth Albion 23 - 30 Jersey
Interim table:
rfu.com
Pirates edge out of range...?
Come cheer up, my lads - 'tis to glory we steer!
Cornish Pirates 5 - 20 London Welsh
LW to 2nd; we trail the Pirates by 5 in 7th...
Come cheer up, my lads - 'tis to glory we steer!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014:03:16:22:07:11 by stonehousealbion.
50 - 20 ? panic over, phew !!!
Semper Sersum.