Match Report: PARFC 16 - 19 Doncaster (C'ship)
Nighty, night C'ship...
By A Nomad
April 26 2015
Yellow peril strikes again! For at least the third time this season Albion had to endure two players in the sin-bin at the same time. On each occasion it has cost us dear. We lost at Rotherham, drew at Leeds and now we have lost to Doncaster. It is now becoming clear that the discipline in the team has probably reflected the personality of the now departed coach. One may criticise the referees, but it is the players who give the referees the option of issuing a yellow card. Statistically it is probably better to concede a try rather than suffer the loss of a player to the bin.
Yesterday, we conceded 14 points in the time both players were in the bin. Ali Bone went at the end of the first half, but Albion kept the Knights out from the resultant penalty. At the start of the second half Albion seemed still to be in the dressing room with no coordination in their defence and Eoghan Grace followed Bone to the bin for killing the ball at the very start of the half. Although the sin bin period is 10 minutes, a player cannot return until there is a stoppage in play. So Bone was unable to return to the fray immediately; in fact, both he and Grace returned together. The first try Doncaster made full use of their superior strength in the scrum. In scoring their second, they capitalised on strength of numbers out wide.
Albion had started the game well with dangerous looking attacks and Declan Cusack scored a well-executed try to open the scoring, but his attempted conversion went wide. Although Doncaster did score an equalising try Albion had the ascendancy forcing them to concede penalties that gave Albion a 6 point lead at half time. This was more attacking flair than we have seen for some time. It appeared that James Scaysbrook has had a more influential role with the team after the departure of our previous head coach. His arrival at the club certainly was marked by better defence patterns. It now seems that he has had a similar effect on their attacking moves.
Albion did score again towards the end of the match and thereafter did all they could to find that elusive winning score, being camped in the ‘red zone’ well into time added on. Doncaster had backed away from challenging Albion at line-outs several times throughout the match. This was again their tactic at an Albion line-out at the end of the game. It looked as if Albion forwards were going to be able to drive to the line in the face of this apparent retreat, but they were stopped and the chance disappeared.
One can say “What if only..." or "But for this or that...” The facts are that we had by far the least effective attack in the Championship and not quite the weakest defence. Reports are that teams in National 1 are strong. So we need to improve on this season’s performance if we are to survive, let alone be a contender for immediate return to the Championship.
There is little doubt that a good number of players are jumping ship. Such is the life of a professional sportsman. Very little loyalty and no feeling of, “I am one of those responsible for the team being relegated. I’ll stay and fight to ensure we make an immediate return to the Championship.”
On a more positive note I am looking forward to visiting places anew and hoping we will see team playing well and being successful once more.
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On reflection of players moving on, I have a different view, loyalty is difficult when salaries tend to be at the moderate end of the scale, and with relegation and no R.F.U. funding other than travel expenses it is inevitable that players futures would need to be reviewed.
I personally think relegation has had a huge effect on numerous players and not something wanted on their cv.
I wish all players moving on the very best, and for those staying the regrouping and recruitment plans for a tough season in National League 1.
Come on Albion we can bounce back (believe)
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015:04:27:01:29:14 by Flanker7.
I reckon next year will bring a veritable maelstrom of sporting, financial and administrative challenges. We took a bit of a high-odds gamble this year and it bit us on the backside. Consolidation and regrouping might be preferable to a mad dash towards an uncertain fate...
Going by previous form, I'm not sure next year's squad will be publicised in any great rush.
Come cheer up, my lads - 'tis to glory we steer!
In the last two years the relegated teams managed to retain most of their players but this was due to the ‘owners’ wanting to keep their squad believing that they would bounce back immediately. Players displaying loyalty could be reward with a bonus at the season’s end if the team achieves its target.
We have had loyalty from players, two come to mind, Ruairi and Kenny, no doubt others come to mind.
A "Top Six" from Mr Shannahan was always in doubt with players from lower clubs than the championship.