The lion tamed?

By Flanker 7
February 16 2015

If anyone had said before the game that we were going to get two points out of Sunday's fixture, I am sure we would have taken that. It was good to see Albion’s new addition from last week Josh Watkins making his home bow along with recalls for Sam Simmonds, Jack Arnott, and Tom Hicks. Before kick-off, Albion had to leave out Neale Patrick who was unwell; Brett Beukeboom stood in. Albion kicked off towards the Clubhouse end, which certainly looked cut up after the England v Italy U20 game on Friday night, so this was always going to be another big ask for the forwards of both sides. Attendance was a disappointing 1 175, possibly reduced by the international 48 hours previously. The crowd was in fine voice, though.

London Scottish set an early marker in the seventh minute when Albion were forced to defend a scrum a few metres out from their line. With neither side prepared to give an inch, the ball squirted out the side and the ever-alert Mark Bright picked up and went over to give the visitors a 5 point lead. Peter Lydon was also successful in converting; Albion 0 – 7 Scottish.

With almost their first foray into the Scottish half, Albion hit back after securing a penalty for offside. From a full 40 metres out, skipper Declan Cusack gave the ball a huge kick to see it safely between the posts and reduce the arrears; Albion 3 - 7 Scottish.

Albion were trying to establish a pattern in their game and the forwards were coming into their own when they wasted an opportunity. Herbie Stupple was penalised and also called back by the referee, with Dec in attendance to warn him. 

Albion further reduced the Scottish lead by opting for goal instead of kicking to the corner. This was the right decision as Declan Cusack was once again successful; Albion 6 – 7 Scottish.

With little to pick from either side, on 30 minutes Scottish recorded a second try scored consistent scorer winger Miles Mantella. After good work from scrum half Jamie Stevenson in drawing a tackle before offloading, he put Mantella over in the corner. The resultant conversion was missed from out on the touchline; Albion 6 - 12 Scottish 12.

Albion were to suffer a huge blow, as it emerged Herbie had suffered a serious to his ankle. After lengthy treatment he was unable to continue and Ian Grieve came on.

With half time approaching the hosts were awarded another penalty, with Declan Cusack looking to erode  the Scottish lead and keep Albion in the game, Once again, with deadly accuracy the penalty went over; half time: Albion 9 - 12 Scottish.

In the first half Albion’s lineout was just about holding its own and the scrum not featuring much better. However, Scottish are a very useful side and deadly clinical in the red zone. In the second half, they dominated possession and territory for large periods with Albion finding it difficult to clear their lines and giving the ball back to Scottish to set up what seemed like endless pressure. With another score Scottish could easily have put the game to bed.

But it was turning out to be another great home effort, as tackle after tackle denied Scottish the space to develop another score and handling errors started to effect the way Scottish were playing. Nevertheless 20 minutes in, Jamie Stevenson took a quick tap and headed for the Albion whitewash at a rate of knots. Only a desperate last second tackle by Lawrence Rayner prevented him scoring, the referee confirming he had been held up.

At last, with 13 minutes to go, Albion drew level as Scottish were once again caught offside, and Declan Cusack planted the ball between the posts from about 30 odd metres; Albion 12 - 12 Scottish.

As the clock wound down, neither side wanted to give advantage to the other. Albion were penalised, but the kick by full back Peter Lydon went wide. With only minutes left, it looked as though Albion could steal victory. They won a penalty in their own half - and out of the blue, Scottish fly-half Dan Newton was sent to the bin for something said to the referee. This was Albion's chance to secure all the points!

Declan hit touch about 25 metres out, Albion won the resultant lineout and made their way into the Scottish 22 via numerous pick and gos. Both Rayner and Cusack sat back in the pocket awaiting their chance for a drop goal. With Scottish defending for their lives, Albion were certainly finding it tough going in the red zone. The Brickfields crowd were right behind Albion as they inched forward, only for a tremendous defensive hit to come in and agonisingly, the ball was lost forward. Game over.

Final score: Albion 12 – 12 London Scottish.

That was a truly great effort again by the boys. After the hiccup at Bedford, they have proved their worth once more against top end opposition and really must concentrate on their own performance to ensure the home wins come. As fellow relegation candidates rallied (Donny won at the Pirates 13-30 and Moseley secured a losing 4T bonus at Bristol), the lid is still firmly on the pressure cooker...

Everyone at this stage is nervous - as well we might be. We just have to hold our nerve, get behind the team like never before and support the quest for the club to remain in the championship.

Come on Albion, we can do this!

Match Report: PARFC 12 - 12 London Scottish (C'ship)

Discussion started by Unofficial Plymouth Albion (IP Logged), 16/02/2015 09:12

Unofficial Plymouth Albion
16/02/2015 09:12

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hills22
16/02/2015 20:48

Thanks Flanker 7. Good performance by Albion again.

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