Plymouth Albion
Match Report - Albion 24 London Scottish 20
By Ianbol
November 10 2012
Well now, in the days leading up to the match I was ruminating on how Albion might bounce back from five "hits" on the trott :-- a tanking at Bedford; a close B&I home loss to Munster; another tanking [B&I] at Roths; a 9 pt home loss to Notts and [in my view] a thrown-away game in Jersey, with a weakened and depleted, though still competative and competent, squad. I was confident that, at the very least, home advantage would prevail.
The weather forcast was for heavy rain which, thankfully, translated into persistant drizzle.
The proceedings opened with 2 minutes silence for Armistice week-end and also in grateful memory and appreciation of both the late Allan Shankland and Frank Stormont. Both Allan and Frank were devoted "Albionites" and leave huge holes in the club's volunteer support at both the ground and the fan/supporters base. On a personal note I shared a breakfast table with Frank last Sunday in the Revere Hotel in Jersey. A breakfast I shall now always remember.
The whistle went, the match started and Albion flew out of the blocks. In the opening minutes Albion appeared to dominate and in the 7th, during an Albion attack, Rupeni put in a grub kick which bounced off a defender into the path of Tom Bowen who collected it, ran round the full back to score, converted by Paul Roberts, 7 - 0.
2 mins later Albion were again pressing the Scottish line and, again, Rupeni passed to Sean-Michael who charged over the whitewash, 12 - 0.
Only 2 mins later Sam Hocking broke through the Scottish line and, without support, kicked ahead and, in the resultant chase, was obstructed at the ball by their full back who was yellow carded. Paul Roberts slotted the ensuing penalty, 15 - 0, 3 scores ahead and all within 13 mins of kick off. Most gratifying.
Albion were unable to take advantage of being a man up and, indeed, Scottish pulled back 3 points with a Love penalty. 15 - 3.
Albion were dominating this half, and seemed to be more challenged by Mr Gamage's disapproval of the Albion scrummaging technique than they were by the opposition. This disapproval yielded several penalties to the Scottish who proficiently and accurately kicked deep into touch, relieving them of pressure.
This domination gave Albion penalties and Paul slotted 2 chances making the H.T. score a most satisfying 21 - 3, a gratifying 3 scores lead.
During the break I, and I would guess many others, was thinking that if Albion start the 2nd half as they did the 1st, a 5 pointer was well on the cards. We were half way there and, besides, so far the game had been all ours. I can recall such optimistic thoughts on several other occasions.
But it was not to be.
It was the Scottish who came off the blocks flying. It was they who were pressing hard. They looked a different team. Now they looked dangerous. They turned the tables and soon, pressing on our line, they found a gap in the middle, darted through it and scored, converted by Mr Love. 21 - 10. Ooooops. Now only 2 scores in it.
Shortly after, a James Love penalty reduced the deficit further. 21 - 13, but still 2 scores adrift - but only just.
Then James Love did something I thought I'd never see --- he missed a sitter from in front of the posts.
I sensed that we were now struggling and unable to wrest back contol of the game. Old errors seemed to be creeping back in. Would two scores now be enough of a margin, I mused ? We have, after all, been there before.
Fortunately, close to time. Albion were awarded another penalty which I was really glad to see Paul stick between the posts, 24 - 13. Surely that would seal it ?
But, no, the Scottish weren't giving up yet. They set up a forwards drive and shoved the Albion pack back over their line to score their 2nd try which was converted 24 - 20 earning them a B.P., and now only 1 score in it. but a mere penalty would not be enough for them. The minutes were dying away. And yet they still pressed. Albion defended stoically.
Utter, utter relief - the final whistle. F.T. 24 - 20 but Scottish had won the 2nd half convincingly, 3 - 17.
So, 2 tries each.
Kicking honours :-- Paul 14 points. James Love 10 points.
The Scottish come-back, whilst seriously disappointing in one sense, none-the-less made for a most entertaining and enthralling game and for a nail-biting last 15 minutes. Congratulations to both teams for a spirited and passionate match.
The 4 points were much needed and most welcome.
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Discussion started by Unofficial Plymouth Albion (IP Logged), 10/11/2012 21:25
10/11/2012 21:25
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Excellent report, ianbol. BZ!
Come cheer up, my lads - 'tis to glory we steer!
Come cheer up, my lads - 'tis to glory we steer!
Well done young man an interesting report and a help to the cause of the unofficial web site, thank you.
Semper Sersum.
Semper Sersum.
well done Ianbol - fantastic report
Don't let anything get in the way of a good game of Rugby
Don't let anything get in the way of a good game of Rugby
A very well constructed match report, well done Sir Ian, shame about your Scottish counterparts yesterday, albeit it was against the World Champions New Zealand.
Continue the great match reports!!!!!!!!!!
Come on Albion!!!!!!!!
Continue the great match reports!!!!!!!!!!
Come on Albion!!!!!!!!
Drizzle????????? May be in your part of the country. That was torrential down here! Good report though. Thanks.
"How many more times,Ref?"
"How many more times,Ref?"
Well done my old mate.
I will be looking forward to your reports on each match in the future
Comero weeth SJ
Tauranga Branch
New Zealand
AAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLBBBBBBBBBBIIIIIIIIIOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNN
I will be looking forward to your reports on each match in the future
Comero weeth SJ
Tauranga Branch
New Zealand
AAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLBBBBBBBBBBIIIIIIIIIOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNN
14/11/2012 09:30
Very gracious towards the ref who was at best incompetent, at worst getting perverse pleasure out of @#$%& off the brickfields faithful...
An individuals opinion .
Everyone has one
Plymouth Bred ,Plymouth Born.
C'mon Albiiioooonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn.
Everyone has one
Plymouth Bred ,Plymouth Born.
C'mon Albiiioooonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn.
Rhodri McAtee on coming back from injury and the impact on the game on Friday:
thisisplymouth
Weird final quote, though....
Come cheer up, my lads - 'tis to glory we steer!
thisisplymouth
Weird final quote, though....
Come cheer up, my lads - 'tis to glory we steer!
Think he may be alluding to a potentially guaranteed upset at Newcastle
My body is a temple - I desecrate it every day
My body is a temple - I desecrate it every day
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