Plymouth Albion

By Tony Rees
November 6 2010

A gritty performance from Bristol saw the visiting side show determination and fortitiude to hold out for a single point win against Plymouth Albion.  Solid work in the first half gave a deserved lead but Albion fought back to come within one point of Bristol, only to see the final kick of the match drift wide of the posts.  The relief of the Bristol tean and travelling supporters was almost palpable

A good start from the visiting team saw them earn an early penalty chance for Nicky Little that brushed the wrong side of the upright.  His next effort after a quarter of an hour pushed Bristol up to the five metre line.  The catch and drive was well executed and James Merriman was driven over for a converted try and a 0 - 7 lead. 

Albion narrowed the gap with a Lee penalty kick but Bristol moved further ahead when the forwards once again drove a lineout close to the Plymouth try line.  The defence just managed to hold on, but Adrian Jarvis popped the ball up for Jack Adams who smashed his way over the line in typically robust fashion.  Little converted to give Bristol a deserved 3 - 14 lead just before half-time. 

Plymouth started the second half in a far more determined way and were soon back on the scoreboard following a well controlled move that kept possession well and forced the Bristol defence to commit players.  Finally, they drove Carpenter over the line for a converted try; taking the score to 10 - 14.

 Bristol tried to hit back and they put the home side under pressure with some good forward play, culminating in an easy penalty for Little to edge his side seven points clear.  Albion were undaunted and struck back almost immediately with yet another good Lee penalty for a 13 - 17 scoreline. 

Just minutes later he hit another penalty over the posts to narrow the gap to just one point.  Bristol must have been reminded of the several narrow defeats this season, including last weekend's last minute defeat, but they stuck to their guns.  Little held his nerve to land a difficult penalty to move slightly further in front but Lee pegged Bristol back with another of his own. 

With the game drawing to a close Plymouth hammered away at Bristol.  The defence clung on desperately and managed to get hold of the ball, only to be turned over in the hosts' half.  With astonishing patience Plymouth worked their way back into the Bristol half.  Bristol defended with great discipline, keeping Albion at bay and, more significantly, without giving away a penalty.  Still, it was clear that with time almost up Plymouth were shaping up for a drop goal attempt. 

Sure enough, the ball was whipped back to Davies for a heart-stopping final kick of the game.  And it went wide.  

Bristol had held on to claim an important away win and, perhaps wipe away the memories of last second defeat to Birmingham.