Round 19: Albion v Sedgley Park
By A Horse Called Doris
February 14 2025
After nearly a month since the last home game at The Brickfields, Albion return having extended their winning streak to seven. This Saturday they will hope to extend the run as they host Sedgley Park.
The Tigers currently sit 11th in the table with 36 points after losing nine of their first eleven fixtures, however from their two wins during this time, Albion suffered a 41-26 defeat at Park Lane and only salvaged a try bonus point with a try in the dying moments. Since the beginning of December, The Tigers have seen a turnaround of fortune starting with a shut out win against Rosslyn Park, followed by 3 wins and a draw from the next 5 fixtures, albeit against mid to low tabled sides. In their latest match they pulled back to within a point of Birmingham Moseley, before a late try put the game out of their reach.
Prior to their return to National One, Albion had been victorious in all of their previous meetings. However, since their return last season, they have twice won convincingly at Park Lane, but barely troubled the scoreboard as visitors (20-3).
Scoring analysis - Not unsurprisingly, Albion have a much better try scoring rate of 3.5 per game against 3 for the Tigers, whilst Albion have conceded 3.2 compared to 3.5. A large proportion of the Tiger's 53 tries have come through the wings (22) with 12 of those being through Rhys Henderson - leading the League along with our own Craig. There is a lesser threat through the 10/12/13 positions with these being vulnerable areas for Albion.
Albion will need to keep their discipline as Sedgley will look to get the scoreboard ticking over at any given opportunity, particularly in the first half. They can be expected to fade towards the latter stages of the match.
A further note on discipline, Albion were by far and away the most disciplined in the league having only picked up 2 yellow cards in the first half of the season. The last 5 games have seen 4 yellows and a red which could be a cause for concern.
The referee will be Adam Wookey who also officiated at the reverse fixture earlier in the season. He has also been in the middle for 3 other Albion fixtures this season. The last occasion at The Brickfields saw him present 4 cards, including a red, thankfully to the opposition - Bishop's Stortford.
Weather: Overnight rain should clear to sunny intervals by kick-off. A gentle breeze with fresh gusts will blow from the Stormforce Marquee corner. Temperatures will be on the chilly side.
Prediction: A comfortable win for Albion - should be 5 points.
Other games of note:
Dings Crusaders v Rosslyn Park - a home fixture for Dings could bring a surprise result for Park who sit above Albion in the league.
Birmingham Moseley v Rams - Rams will need this to keep in touch with Richmond, but Moseley will be looking to get back into winning ways having lost their way a little since the Christmas break.
Published Albion Squad
15 Tom Putt
14 Shea Cornish
13 Israel Akinrowo
12 Archie Hill
11 Bobby Wiggington
10 Harry Legg
9 Morgan Stone
1 Jenson Boughton
2 Harry Wilkinson
3 Dan Pullinger
4 Jake Clemson
5 Joel Broadhurst
6 Jago Sheppard
7 Jake Bond
8 Angus Hodges
16 Ethan Burger
17 Ramaz Rukhadze
18 Torin Clarke
19 Jack Oulton
20 Frankie Dart
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With twenty to go we were cruising and then all those silly penalties and two yellow cards, something to work on I think.
My body is a temple - I desecrate it every day
My body is a temple - I desecrate it every day