Round 23: Rosslyn Park v Albion
By Happy Knees
March 23 2023
Interesting fixture for Albion this weekend as they make thier way to Rosslyn Park.
Park lie in 4th place, immediately above Albion but with a margin of 5 points. A bonus point win could bring Albion level on points, but Park have will still have won more games so far, which would keep them in 4th.
The season started well for Park with 6 wins on the trot, but since a defeat by Rams they have been a little inconsistent. That said, with the exception of 8th placed Chinnor, defeats have only come against sides placed 5th or higher. This includes Albion's 13-10 victory in the reverse fixture after being reduced to 14 for most of the game.
Referee for the day will be Alan Chandrachud, who doesn't tend to go for the cards anywhere near as much as other referees in the league. This will be a relief for RP as their players have been sent to the bin on 23 occasions this season.
Park tend to start strong in the first 20. fade a little around half time, before coming back for the last 20 as the substitutes come on. However, Albion have defended well in the second half whilst scoring the majority of their points in the first half.
Park's strengths lies within the pack, but they are not afraid to send the ball out wide to the wingers. A weakness is their defensive line which does appear to be somewhat 'leaky'.
If Albion play at their best one could expect a brisk start with Albion securing a half time lead. The second half will be a matter of defending the lead so the result could go either way. If Albion don't play at their best, which does seem to be the form when they are away, RP will almost certainly come out on top.
Weather forecast - probably dry but a risk of a shower or two. A gusty moderate breeze should test the kickers.
Prediction - Albion's poor away form will result in a win for Rosslyn Park although Albion could bring home 2 points.
Player to watch - Matthew Bolwell - RPs fortunes reflect his presence on the pitch.
Former Albion Players - Jared Saunders - a regular starter at hooker, although been absent for the last couple of games. Also, Oliver Dawe at prop. Only made appearances in the first two games of the season so unlikely to appear this Saturday.
Other games of note - Immediately below Albion, Bishop's Stortford take on Ciderford. A point seperate the two and with BS tied on points with Albion, one of these is likely to move up to 5th.
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I was surprised to see Ollie Dawe is on their books, when he played for us I thought he was destined for great things.
Albion had a chance with two minutes left to take the lead, the effective driving maul etc from earlier on never really got going so the play was spun left leading to a knock on. By then a few subs on and the team must have tired being later on add to that the “big defence,” shout from park.
Rosslyn are a strange one as the pace of a game never seems to get going properly but more they have their patterns and are effective if they get a chance. The 2nd try an example, quick thinking from a tap free kick and the third a kick through that when they execute seem to finish. Compare it to Albion, that wasn’t a free ball, too often albion go for a lucky kick on a free ball, yesterday we could have built some phases at one point but then we probably knew the maul worked. It would be cynical to criticise that as most of our tries were from the kick to the corner and that gave me confidence as a fan that we could get through and that we did. It has been one of our strengths again this season, we all know the history and importance of these, think Graham Dawe.
Albion have closed the gap on these so called bigger teams and doing it the right way. The two rising bude lads there yesterday an example doing well at one of the names of rugby.
Edited 5 time(s). Last edit at 2023:03:26:16:01:33 by hills33.
Quote:Exiled in the bridge
I read in the herald that albions commercial director has left not good timing!!!!
I picked that up as well, although it said that it was his last article for the herald, so it might only be effective come end of season.
However, I did find Chris Bentley's articles tended to focus on rugby generally (and not just Albion) and as much on his time at Exeter than Albion. Didn't inspire me.
I don't know how he went in other areas of his role.