Pertemps 28
Albion 20

With both sides effected by injuries Albion would have travelled to Solihull expecting to come away with 5 league points. That is what very nearly happened but a a late penalty, given away in front of the posts allowed Pertemps to keep all the points.

A game of two halves has been quoted so many times but this really was. Albion were out classed on the pitch and allowed Pertemps to do almost what ever they liked and had the try bonus point before the half hour was up. The performance of Albion as a team was not good and if we were playing at home like this a number of supporters may well have left at half time.

It wasn't a home match and Albion stepped up to the mark during the second half scoring 17 points but it was just too little too late! The two performances were just the opposite and Pertemp did well to hang onto the lead they had but at the end of the day the result gave Albion nothing for their trouble.

With bright sunshine, a clear sky, no wind and warm day for beginning of February and in front of a crowd of just 308, at least 100 Albion supporters it was a perfect day for Albion rugby.

Within three minutes of the start after two penalties awarded to Pertemps they kick three easy points from in front of the posts to take the lead. Dave Delaney brings the points level in the 7th minute with a kick 30 metres out in front of the posts.

11 minutes and Pertemps showed that they could play a running game and moved the ball wide for Matt Nuthal to score the first of their 4 tries.

The real start of the rot happened after Tom Hayes was sin binned on 15 minutes. Pertemps take the advantage in the pack to push over after two attempts in the corner for an unconverted try. 13 - 3

On 22 minutes Pertemps kicked the ball forward which bounced towards and into the in goal area and with Albion unable to ground the ball Pertemps did as they chased the ball down, this time it was converted. 20 - 3.

After Albion were penalised for crossing in front of their posts the Bees kicked for touch to play Albion's favourite catch and drive and with 11 bees shirts they made it across the line to pick up the bonus point in the 29th minute. 25 - 3

When Albion were given a penalty 25 metres out Keni Fisilau picks up the ball to run for the line but a forward pass stops the move and one of the rear visits into the Pertemps half.

The half finished with Nat Saumi kicking for touch with very little time added on. Albion had not been the game they had a month or so ago and were out classed. I had set myself around the Pertemps 22 to get some good photos and was struggling to see most of the half as the play was up the other end.

The crowd was there and there was plenty of vocals but it was as though the Albion team were still on the bus. There needed to be some strong words said in the changing room if anything was going to be saved from this fixture. There was certainly strong words on the side lines between Albion supporters about the lack of performance at this match and the last 3 league fixtures. If we were playing at Brickfields I would have seriously thought about leaving at half time.

With no changes being made to either side being made to personnel at half time the match restarted slightly more even. We had to wait until 4 replacements were made that bought Richard Oxley and Arran Cruickshanks on in the 5th minute and Ed Barnes Tim Mathias on in the 12th minute before any real spark was seen.

With loose head for Pertemps in the sin bin Albion took the advantage and the pack went over in the corner for a Danny Thomas try, his first since we were away to Bedford in March last year. With Dave Delaney now sitting on the bench Ed Barnes takes up the kicking duties bur is not able to collected any points this time.

With Albion still a man up they play there 10/11 man maul and take the ball over on the right hand side for Danny to score his second of the match. This time Ed Barnes' boot is more accurate and the gap is further reduced. 25 - 15.

Keni picks up the ball in his own half and running some 20 metres before passing out to Nat Saumi before he runs for the corner to score. With three tries in 7 minutes Albion for the first time look as though they could win the match but is was just not to be and with Pertemps back to full strength they were back in the match.

It looked as though the bees were going to get another try when after a clearance kick was charged down but the ball was judged to be held up.

With only a few minutes to play Albion were penalised less than 10 metres in front of their posts they gifted 3 points to Bees and any chance of picking up points for themselves from the fixture.

The mode was not good after the match with supporters and players down after what one supporter discribed as the worst Albion performance he had ever seen.

Albion are now out of the race for the championship being 16 points behind Leeds and are only 8 points in front of Exeter who are slowly moving pouring on the points.

Albion have a week off from league rugby as they meet Cambridge on Saturday in the EDF Trophy but on this performance they will have to work hard to pull off that match.

Team: Nat Saumi, Ed Lewsey, Keni Fisilau, Sila Va'Enuku, Nat Saumi, David Delaney, Nigel Cane, Martin Rice, James Owen, Scott Zimmerman, Brett Stroud, Tom Hayes, Federico Genoud, Danny Thomas, Chris Lowrie Replacements: Tim Mathias(used), Richard Oxley(used), Dan Smith, Mike Lewis, Arran Cruickshanks(used), Jon Fabian, Ed Barnes(used)

Scorers :- Tries 2xDanny Thomas, Nat Saumi Penalties David Delaney Conversions Ed Barnes

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