So close - again!

By A Nomad
January 19 2015

Was it a point gained or lost? Those of us who were with ‘Albi’ Travel believed the team would do well to keep pegging with Doncaster and gain a losing bonus point as we set off on the 250 mile journey to Nottingham's new home at Lady Bay. In the event it was a point gained, but 2 points or even 4 were tantalisingly close. Almost straight from the kick off Albion had a penalty virtually in front of the posts and just outside the Nottingham 22. "A cert 3 point’, we all thought but Declan was about to have an ‘off’ day and his attempt went just wide.

It was not all one way with Nottingham making some good attacks, but our defence was able to repel the attacks sometimes aided by poor ball control by the men in green. Dan Mugford sustained a serious leg injury when counter attacking from deep in his own half. There was a very lengthy delay while he received treatment and was eventually stretchered off the pitch. Play had progressed deepinto Albion’s half before the referee called a hault. Our defence stood firm and not long afterwards, we scored a try reminiscent of last season. Albion intercepted the ball on the halfway and Ben Foley was put into the clear. He outstripped the covering defence and scored in the left hand corner about 10 yards in from touch. Declan’s attempted conversion was looking good, but it hit the right hand post and bounced away.

Albion continued to have possession and territory and it was not long before Declan had a simple penalty kick in front of the posts which he kicked. So Albion had an 8 point lead and were clearly a match for the team that were fourth in the table. Again showing a good turn of pace Ben Foley had another good run deep into the Nottingham 22. Unfortunately he was unable to continue having sustained an apparent knee injury when tackled. There was another lengthy stoppage whilst he eventually received treatment and had to be assisted from the pitch.

Nottingham were being denied any possession in  the real danger areas, but a penalty gave them a line out on Albion’s right wing and almost on the 5 metre line. With a catch and drive, they scored a try and their replacement kicker converted. Throughout the rest of the game this was to prove their only attacking weapon - but it was very effective.

Albion returned to the attack and following a maul deep in Nottingham’s 22, Eoghan Grace went over for an excellent try. Declan’s off day continued with another miss. The next Nottingham attack was another successful catch and drive from close range and their captain scored the second of three tries. The conversion was made, so at half time it was 14 – 13 to the hosts.

At the start of the second half Nottingham had upped their game and were able to score a third try following a lineout on the 5 metre line.  Albion did all they could to resist, but  could not stop a well-executed catch and drive. This time the conversion was missed. This tactic was again deployed, but Nottingham lost control of the ball as they went over the try line, a let-off for Albion.

Having struggled for some time, Albion came back into the match and enjoyed possession in their opponents half which resulted in two penalties which tied the scores at 19 each. With time running out Albion conceded a scrum on their left just outside the 5 metre line. They had defended a lineout but had been judged to have knocked the ball on. The scrum did not stay straight and the referee deemed Albion responsible and awarded a penalty.  Time was up so Nottingham, after considerable debate, opted to go for the posts - a good decision as it won them the game.

The pitch was on the soft side and conditions overall were good, yet Albion failed to take their kicking chances. A total of 13 points went begging; Nottingham missed a conversion and 2 penalty kicks. So, if only... However, it was a valuable point gained that had not been expected. Our pack played well, although we do need to form an effective counter to the short range catch and drive from lineouts. It was one of Albion’s main strengths some years ago and we have to hope that it will be again in the coming weeks. I believe we have the forwards to do so.

We were made most welcome by Nottingham who had experienced our current problems only last year. The club is now owned by 8 individuals. The reason they have moved to what is essentially a green field site is Notts County FC charged them £10,000 a game to play at Meadow Lane. The ground will need a lot of work to bring it up to a reasonable standard. Everything is somewhat reminiscent of the Brickfields when we first moved there. The most annoying thing was the PA system that seldom worked and when it did the announcer thought he was a commentator and kept telling us the ‘bl***ing obvious’ - a real Stuart Barnes sound-alike!

With 6 home games to come and only 4 away, there is every chance we can close the gap on the teams above us. Let’s hope that by the time we take the field again, the off-field problems have been resolved and the team will have everything to play for.

Match Report: Nottingham 19 - 26 PARFC (C'ship)

Discussion started by Unofficial Plymouth Albion (IP Logged), 19/01/2015 23:51

Unofficial Plymouth Albion
19/01/2015 23:51

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B L Zabab
22/01/2015 15:28

thought we lost 22-19?!

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Captain Birdseye
22/01/2015 15:41

Fat fingers!

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