National League 1 - 2015-6 Wk 1
Seconds out...
By stonehousealbion
August 31 2015
Like it or not, we're now playing national league rugby, but with a few familiar names from recent years - and a good few more from Beacon Park days as well. National One kicks off on Saturday with the rest of England (bar the Prem who are delayed due to RWC 2015). No cup competition, just fifteen other teams home and away. Get used to the odd "blank" weekend (if the weather is kind) - and a shed load more miles of travelling. Cinderford in the Forest of Dean (Gloucester) is the nearest and Blaydon (Tyneside) the furthest. Saturday pm KOs are norm in a league with 50 shades of grey on the semi-pro spectrum.
All the pre-season is behind us and pens are doubtless being applied to registration forms and final contracts this week. With a hefty clear out of the C'ship squad (anyone tell the Herald?), it will appear to some of the more senior habitués of this parish like the first day back at (primary) school. Mr Dawe's Little Black Book still seems to be working it's magic - if numbers looked a little thin early on, it has certainly done the business as the summer progressed. A fair mix of Devon, Cornwall (only to be expected after the County success at Twickers), DR and overseas players. Yes they're young, but that bodes well for the future. It's going to be a big step up for many just in terms of skill and commitment, but there will be big asks on leadership, mentoring and teamwork from the older contingent, too.
The prevailing opinion around the ground in the last couple of weeks is that a bounce back to the C'ship is unlikely, if not plain undesirable. More wins will be very welcome (especially in the majority) and there is still work to be done with the Club finances. That and the presence of capable teams in last year's finishers (RP, Coventry, Fylde, etc) mean we're going to have to expect a hard ride, casualties en route and no prisoners. Hartpury College feed into Gloucester, Loughborough is pretty much the nation's premier sports university and Darlington didn't buy a large stadium for the pigeons to roost in, either...
Our season is bookended with Richmond; home on Day One and away next April (No comparisons with Donny last year, thank you...). They finished 7th last term and have secured some players with interesting C'ship/Prem club and even international pedigree in the off-season. Cameron Mitchell (ex-Albion centre, England Counties and latterly DMP) was training with them in August. They won their last PSF against Bishop's Stortford (losing Nat 2S play-off contenders) 31 - 5 at the weekend, so at the very least they're not coming in on the back of a banana skin. (Edit: BS held them (with 9/15 starters as newbies) to 5-5 at HT, but lost out as 'mond settled and they suffered a YC.) All told, our visitors will be more than happy to give us an unpleasant welcome to the new league, even if the Albion sick list isn't looking too bad after a decent rest.
We would be wise to plan for the worst, but work for the best. Albi, Albi, Albi...!
Here's the full fixture list:
Sat 05 Sep
Blaydon v Blackheath 14:30 Crow Trees
Cinderford v Darlington Mowden Park 15:00 Beavis Memorial Ground
Coventry v Wharfedale 15:00 Butts Park Arena
Esher v Ampthill 15:00 Molesey Road
Fylde v Loughborough Students 15:00 Woodlands Memorial Ground
Hull Ionians v Hartpury College 15:00 Brantingham Park
Plymouth Albion v Richmond 15:00 Brickfields
Rosslyn Park v Henley 15:00 The Rock
(For any nostalgists, Shanners' old/new mob are over at Polson Bridge...)
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plymouthherald.co.uk
"Alan Paver ... played for Albion during their glory years nearly two decades ago, when Plymouth were knocking on the door of the Premiership."
Shurely shome mistake...
Come cheer up, my lads - 'tis to glory we steer!
all this points to an exciting season for me personally, I hope that we are challenging near the top come may (or April in this case), time will tell. Albion is a great club. excuse the Cornish close - one and all.Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 2015:09:01:19:10:54 by hills22.