Albion Ladies 31
Old Albanians Saints 5

Before the match many would not have given our ladies a chance but there was still a good support for the female version of the game.

With a try run in before I had a chance to start my stop watch Albion were certainly on top and seemed to be able to do exactly what they wanted. The confidence was on an up and the ladies knew that this match was there for the taking.

The Saints physio said it left that his team had failed to get off the coach. If they did they were not prepared for the want of the host side. A hat trick of tries went to Beth Simmons playing in her non preferred position on the wing was one of the highlights of the afternoon.

Whilst some of the men's first team turned up I am not sure that they were there early enough to see the dream start.

In the last 3 seasons when the two sides have met the Saints always came away with the spoils but that was not to be the case this time and whilst there is some confusion as to how many tries are needed to collect a bonus point Albion made no mistake when Nancy Stone picked up the 5th pouncing on a bouncing ball only two minutes into the second half.

Playing on the main pitch Albion kicked off under am overcast sky but there was no rain to dampen the day. Keeping the play in the Saints half it was just 2 minutes in when Beth Simmons ran in her first try around the the defence to touch down 10 metres in from the right hand touchline.

Tracy Corby, who was not available for the first match of the season, was playing at full back last season took up the outside centre position and was handed the kicking duties kicked the ball just left of the posts.

Just 5 minutes later and Tracy was handed another conversion opportunity after a kick through was picked up and touched down by Beth for her second try. This time Tracy's kick bisected the posts to bring the score to 12 - 0.

Albion were still keeping the visitors in their own half, and mainly in their 22, after a penalty awarded at a breakdown Georgie Rozario attempted to take a quick tap but was penalised by the ref because he did not see the ball leave her hands.  The scrum was awarded to the visitors.

Georgie soon had cause to celebrate when she had the opportunity to touch the ball down. Tracy Corby had intercepted a pass on the halfway line and made 10 - 15 metres before going to ground. With OAS on the back foot another play down the right wing saw Georgie and Beth passing the ball back and forth before the Albion number 9 touched down. The conversion was unsuccessful but it brought the score to 17 - 0 and they had still not played 15 minutes.

Before 20 minutes were on the clock Beth had her 3rd try after a kick ahead was picked up by Hayley Wilson who made 15 metres before going to ground a few metres from the line. From the back of the breakdown Georgie made a long pass out to Beth who then took it across the line. This time Tracy Corby made no mistake and Albion were 4 tries ahead. 24 - 0.

Albion continued to play well and with a number of injuries on the pitch to Saints the play slowed and Saints had a penalty opportunity on the 22 in front of Albion's posts on 40 minutes. Their kick went right of the posts and did not trouble the scorer.

Going into the turn around Albion were in buoyant mode but seemed to come out not playing with the confidence they had at the beginning of the match. The only score made by Plymouth was just 2 minutes in when a ball kicked through and bounced around in the in goal area was grounded by  Nancy Stone.

OAS came back with their only score of the match when they caught out the hosts in Albion's 22 and produced a 2 man overlap. This was just enough to give them a try in the left hand corner.

For the rest of the second half both sides defended well although the Saints were now showing themselves stronger up front and pushing the Albion pack off the ball. Neither side really came close to adding to the score.

Head Coach, Gavin Boak, was happy with the team's performance and the much improved team cohesion than was shown against Richmond who now sit top of the league.

He admits that there is still much to come from this squad. Their next match is against Southampton based Trojans away and their next home match against Hove on 26th of October.

Pictures and full team information to follow.

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