Round 4 - Albion v Leicester Lions
By Dark Prophet
September 21 2023
Newly promoted Leicester Lions are the visitors to the Brickfields for the fourth round encounter in National League One.
The Lions arrive as the reigning champions of National League 2 West having dominated with a 25-1 record. Whilst they opened this season with a win against fellow promotees, Sale, they have since incurred successive defeats against Cinderford and Blackheath.
Albion will be looking to build upon two consecutive victories against Taunton and a tough away fixture against Bishop’s Stortford. These results currently place Albion third, behind a 100% Rams and equal on points with Blackheath.
To date 11 of Leicester’s squad have started in all 3 of the opening fixtures – a high proportion which suggests a lack of options for rotating players. This in turn could mean that Leicester will field players that could be susceptible to tiring, or if alternatives are fielded then this could weaken the side.
Leicester have scored a mere 4 tries so far (the lowest in the league) whereas Albion have scored 16. However, they have conceded 9 compared to Albion conceding 12. Of Leicester’s tries scored, 3 have come from the pack whilst opposition pack’s have only scored 1. This does suggest a well organised front eight and that Albion’s best option may be to deploy a running game to exploit weaknesses amongst the backs.
For the second successive home game the referee for the day is Iain Kiy, who officiated for the game against Taunton. Mr Kiy has shown only one card so far this season – a yellow to a Mr Rukhadze. Notably only Leicester and Rams have not received any cards to date.
Weather: Overcast, with a light breeze with strong gusts blowing across the pitch. Temperature a little cooler than average for the time of year.
Forecast: A fast game with Albion comfortably coming out on top.
Other matches to note:
Rams v Rosslyn Park – With Albion, Blackheath and Park all on 11 points and 4 points behind Rams, a win for Park could close things up at the top.
Sedgley v Chinnor – 6th take on 5th with both on 10 points this is likely to split one away from the pack chasing the Rams.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:09:23:20:45:00 by Igwok Dominus.
The Lions do have a very strong group of forwards, but they also have some exceptional talent, some with Nat 1 experience in the backs too.
The squad on the Lions website will show whilst they are far from the largest squad in the league, there are plenty to chose from, sure the coaches are using that to it's advantage and I await the team news with some relish, I think there will be a desire to put a few things right. I know they all felt the loss at Cinderford was a missed chance and lessons have been learnt from letting that one get away.
My body is a temple - I desecrate it every day
My body is a temple - I desecrate it every day
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:09:23:14:11:01 by Igwok Dominus.