By stonehousealbion
February 19 2014

Albion travel to Bristol for the fixture postponed on 27 January due to inclement weather. While riding high in the league (1 point off the top with a game in hand),our hosts are not without problems in their celebratory 125th anniversary season.

 Bristol's squad is neither short of depth or wages, it’s coach is from the top drawer and the team has been widely tipped for promotion to the AP this year after a longer than expected tenure in the Championship. Whilst no small number of their fans reject the "favourite" tag, it is clear that all has not gone smoothly - (Big) Day One of the season being a prime example. Many of us were witness to an unforeseen upset at Sandy Park as the Pirates bossed them about in tricky conditions and then held on to a lead. A few weeks later when they came to visit Brickfields for a rare Saturday game in early November, we stood on the verge of a major upset as Albion took the game to them and came away with a respectable scoreline (31 - 38) and a brace of league points. Andy Robinson's face was a sight to behold, by all accounts. Fast forward to last week and from the reports, Nottingham ran them very close - leading 14 - 0 at HT and eventually losing by a single point. (Check the table and Notts are just 3 points behind us... see below).

Whilst their table position speaks loudly of accomplishment and they clearly have the ability to come back and grind out a win, Bristol would appear to be vulnerable to a side that sets out to play rugby with something of a disregard for the eventual outcome. Albion were only too happy to play themselves OUT of a losing bonus points at London Scottish recently. Rested after the deferral of the Jersey game last Saturday, they are not a side to be underestimated. While we will play without regular captain Rhys Oakley and stalwart Sean Michael Stephen, there is more enough quality in our squad and no shortage of team spirit. Our wins this term have been from the lower reaches of the table - and the very top. Doubtless, that last fact will be foremost in the minds of all on the field (and the benches) come 15.00 at the Memorial ground this Sunday.

Bristol Unofficial - Reaction to Notts Result

This weekend's other fixtures are at Moseley (v Pirates - Fri, 19.30 K0) and Ealing, where misfiring Bedford come to visit after their Round 16 tie was also delayed by the weather. (Sat, 14.00 KO).

Championship 13/14 - Round 13 (Catch-up)

Discussion started by Unofficial Plymouth Albion (IP Logged), 19/02/2014 22:25

Unofficial Plymouth Albion
19/02/2014 22:25

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stonehousealbion
21/02/2014 08:05

Ealing game has been postponed again due to waterlogged pitch.

Come cheer up, my lads - 'tis to glory we steer!

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stonehousealbion
22/02/2014 07:34

Last night's result:

Moseley 28 - 20 Pirates

Mose leap frog us to go sixth (Oxygen for the brummies, nurse!). Equal on 28 points, but we have 2 games in hand.

Table:

[clubs.rfu.com]

(Apologies - linky thing is u/s...)

Come cheer up, my lads - 'tis to glory we steer!

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dragon27
22/02/2014 10:06

I can't understand why Moseley are ahead of us in the table, we have the same points total (28) but we have a much better points difference.

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Drakes drum
22/02/2014 17:59

The first difference to be looked at is the "Number of wins". Hence Moseley go above us.

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dragon27
22/02/2014 18:06

Thanks, we'll have to win tomorrow then.

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