By BALION PREDATOR
January 11 2014
On a cool evening at Brickfields the supporters were building up to a good turn out of over 1100 for the game against Stirling who have yet to win a game in the B&I cup . Expectations are high for the home team to get a much needed win in front of their supporters as Albion are still yet to register a league win in their current league campaign .
Kick off was under way at 7-45 pm with Stirling converting a penalty after 8 minutes of play 0 – 3 . On 12 minutes of play Declan converts a penalty to level 3 – 3 .
Albion take an edge at scrum time and get numerous penalties which takes them closer to Stirling's try line . After various scrum collapses the referee sends two props off , one from each team . Matt shields comes on for the binning of Davy Morton and Jamie Davies makes way for that enforced replacement . From the resultant scrum , Albion drive Stirling back over their line for Rhys Oakley to score on 20 minutes of play and ably converted by Declan 10 – 3 .
3 minutes later Albion attack the Stirling line and a well worked try sees Toby Howley – Berridge score in the corner and Declan is unable to convert close from the touch line 15 – 3 .
Both teams return to 15 players on the field of play and more scrums and penalties are given in Albion's favour with Stirling's 7 being yellow carded at a breakdown close to Stirling's line . On 35 minutes of play Albion have a 5m scrum and are held up on the line . Another 5m scrum to Albion which Albion are too keen to get an early shove and are penalised with a free kick to Stirling who clear their line .
Albion win line out on Stirling's 22 and drive well , the backs are released down to wing man Ben Woods who goes in the corner , 4 minutes before the half time whistle Declan misses wide out and the score is 20 – 3 .
2 minutes later Albion are knocking on Stirling's door again and Harrison Tovey scores with Declan adding the conversion 27 – 3 and with half time looming Albion have 4 tries and 5 points .
2nd Half gets under way with heavy rainfall and conditions are very different for Albion playing towards the North terrace . The game becomes very scrappy and unforced errors with Stirling struggling to hold on to the ball .
After 21 minutes and several replacements for Albion Ben Woods gets his second try in the corner which Dan Mugford brilliantly converts 34 – 3 .
On the half hour Pale Nonu goes in for Albion's 6th and final try ,Dan mugford's conversion is missed and the score is 39 – 3 . The rain eventually turns to drizzle and the second half for both teams was marred by errors and knock-ons . Albion's 2nd half performance was disappointing and was probably hampered with the weather , but both teams play the conditions and Stirling were very committed from start to finish .
Overall a good win and 5 points . Scrum & line out much better . The next home league game against London Welsh should be a good indication on how the team will progress over the second half of the season.

