By Igwok
March 24 2013

London– Richmond Athletic Ground – Driving Snow, Cold and pitch looking boggy. This was going to be a tough game for players and spectators alike. 

The opening exchanges found both sides getting to know the conditions. Albion, playing with the wind at their backs, started to find their game first and had the better of field position. This allowed them to apply the early pressure and moved them towards the London Scottish line. Scottish held their line but Albion were awarded a scrum which, following couple of resets, yielded a penalty which was comfortably slotted by recent signing Declan Cusack. 0-3

Following the restart and a little kicking to and fro, Albion knocked on. Scrum to Scottish which again result in a penalty 25m out. However, against the wind James Love missed the opportunity to draw level.

This let-off was soon remedied by Scottish who, after being awarded a penalty, kicked for touch. The resulting line out and drive was held byAlbionbut in the process they yielded another penalty from which Love levelled the scores. 3-3 after 16 minutes.

The next 10 minutes were characterised by a large amount of Scottish possession which they failed to turn into serious pressure. Albion did well to break up that possession but were tending to kick the ball away a little too readily. Despite this Abion’s pack was starting to show some dominance over their opposition.

Ultimately, Albion were able to move back into London Scottish’s half and gained a line out inside the 22. Ball secured, Albion opted to pick and go and with Scottish adjudged offside just outside the 22, Cusack restored the lead. 6-3.

This lead proved to be short lived as from the restart, Albion punted the ball to Scottish and allowed them to run the ball back upfield and gifted them a penalty about 30m out. 6-6.

10 minutes of the half to go and with the snow easing off, a little fortune came Albion’s way. The restart was gathered by Scottish who attempted to run it back but then kicked out on the full to give Albion a line out 20m from the line. Stupple carried the ball towards the line nearly allowing Bowen into the corner. The familiar sight of Albion assaulting the line this time saw success as Aaron crossed over for the well deserved try. It was however kisses and cuddles time for SMS and Scottish’s No 4, Paul Spivey which the referee deemed worthy of yellow cards for the both of them. The try stood which was converted by Cusack to bring the score to 13-6, but a penalty awarded to Scottish for the restart.

Scottish failed to capitalise from the penalty after holding on to the ball, and through an exchange of kicks allowed Albion to move the ball deep into LS territory. A lineout to Scottish on the 22 resulted in a knock on and a scrum to Albion. Another penalty and an opportunity to extend the lead was taken 6-16 and the half drawn to a close.

Although Albion were to play the second half facing into the wind, it had lost some of its strength.

It looked like Albion were going to start the second half well after earning a penalty from the restart,  however, despite securing the resultant lineout and putting together a good drive, Albion lost the ball. Scottish promptly gave away a penalty, which Albion failed to make the most of by missing touch. This allowed Scottish to put the ball deep into Albion’s half and a mistake gave them a scrum on the 22. Again an infringement resulted in the award of a penalty which although clattering against the post just went over to bring the score to 9-16 five minutes in.

The next five minutes were Albion’s as they took the ball to Scottish and moved the ball towards the try line. Awarded a scrum Albion had an excellent platform from which to launch an attack but yet another infringement let Scottish off the hook with a free kick.

It was now Scottish’s turn to progress up field, and through a series of penalty kicks and knock-ons by Albion, secured a line out just outside Albion’s 22.

The tension started to rise as Scottish won the line out and drove to the line. Although Albion stopped the maul’s progress, a penalty was awarded. A quick take and Albion were caught inside 10m – advantage as Scottish came close to breaching the defence, eventually a chip over the defence was gathered by Albion but the penalty was then awarded.

By now it was clear that Scottish wanted to pull level with a try despite 25 minutes of the game remaining as they opted for the corner. A catch and drive was stopped well by Albion and Scottish started to move the ball across the field. Outstanding defence by Albion kept their foes at bay and Scottish chose to move the ball wide. Fortunately for Albion the move failed as Scottish was penalised for cross and a brief respite for Albion.

Sadly the respite was short lived as the lineout gremlins struck again. Scottish secured the ball and moved the ball to within the 22 before knocking on.

A scrum to Albion, and another chance to relieve the pressure was foregone as a further infringement gave Scottish a free kick in an excellent position. 20 minutes to go and Scottish applied even more pressure to slowly progress the ball towards Albion’s line despite some rugged defence.

A penalty – more points spurned as it was quickly tapped – was illegally defended by Armitage for which he earned a spell on the sideline. A further penalty, 13 minutes plus injury to go and Albion down to 14. Things were not looking good for Albion as Scottish again went for a line out and the inevitable catch and drive.

The Scottish maul was again stopped by Albion’s defence but the referee awarded another penalty to repeat the line out. This time the resultant maul makes better progress althoug hAlbion again stop it. Scottish keep up the pressure and succeed in getting over the line, only to be adjudged as being held up.

5m scrum, 8 minutes plus to go but delays as injuries are tended to. Again a penalty, this time Scottish opt to reset the scrum – and another penalty – again Scottish opt for a scrum and now the threat of a further card hangs over Albion. This one does not go well for Scottish and Albion manage to get hold of the ball only to see the clearance reaching the 22.

More injuries sees Carpenter leave the field of play, and with three minutes of normal time remaining Scottish secure the lineout to apply the screws once again, but it looks like Albion will turn the tide as Scottish change tactics and try chipping over the 14 man defence.

The pressure eases but Albion are not out of the woods yet as Scottish again apply pressure, however, mistakes are starting to creep into the home side’s play and Albion are able to move the ball away from the danger zone and keep Scottish at bay for the remainder of the game. Full time 9-16.

Overall the weather played a significant factor in the game, conditions to which Albion adapted better. Scottish perhaps could have won the game if they had opted for points when available, but the outstanding defence of the second half earned Albion the well deserved and much needed win to secure Championship status for next season.

Man of the Match (chosen by Rauri Cushion): Sam Matavesi (Fiji)

Match Report - London Scottish 9 Albion 16

Discussion started by Unofficial Plymouth Albion (IP Logged), 24/03/2013 21:08

Unofficial Plymouth Albion
24/03/2013 21:08

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noibla
24/03/2013 22:23

Excellent report Igwok well done and the photo's are a nice addition as well.

We can all relax a now and look forward to a few more points.



Semper Sersum.

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lobina
25/03/2013 12:46

Good report igwok well done.

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Exile626
26/03/2013 13:07

Let's just hope that the Spivey/SMS cuddle is not deemed serious enough for the RFU to impose the suspended points deduction . It would seem odd if they do as as a certain Bristol prop was carded for punching (during the period he was appealing his suspension) and no points were deducted.

Best behaviour is required this weekend as both teams will be under the spotlight and international TV viewing .

p.s. still nice and warm here in the southern outpost



Run like a Rampaging Rhino - It is BIG and it is Clever

Heeeeeeeaaaaavvvveee

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noibla
26/03/2013 16:37

It's probably warm where you are because you have got the heating on ?

Semper Sersum.

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Flanker7
26/03/2013 19:11

Told like it was was, in extremely difficult conditions.
another good report.

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