Round 3 - Bishop's Stortford v Albion

Round 3 and this weekend's game will be an interest test as Albion travel to Hertfordshire to take on Bishop's Stortford.

Curiously Albion lie in 5th and Stortford 6th, these are the same positions they finished last season so this game should be an indicator of how each have progressed during the close season. Both of last season's fixtures between the two sides resulted in 5 point wins for BS with Albion getting nothing. Albion will certainly be looking to improve on that and build on their performance against Taunton.

Stortford have for the most part have started their campaign with players retained from last season. They have however introduces four new forwards into the mix
Like Albion Cinderford narrowly lost their first fixture against Cinderford and then came away from newly promoted Blackheath with 5 points although this was by virtue of two late tries.

Whilst it is still a bit early to determine strengths and weaknesses, the sources of their tries have been almost exclusively from their flankers or from out on the wings, the latter of which is a little unfortunate for Albion as this does appear to be an area in need of improvement.

If Albion are to progress they will need to put the disappointing away performances of last season behind them and play to their full potential and be wary of Stortford coming back at them in the latter part of each half.

Referee for the game will be one Benjamin Wood officiating his second game at this level and the first this season. Coincidentally, the game he refered las t season also featured Bishop's Stortford.

Weather forecast indicates a warm day with sunny spells. A light to gentle breeze blowing across the pitch shouldn't trouble the kickers too much.

Prediction - Albion to hold on to a five pointer by a narrow margin.