By Flanker 7
January 24 2016

If any more rain desends on the Brickfields, we'll be attending matches by canoe very shortly. The pitch certainly looked heavy to play on, and I am sure at the end of yesterday’s game the players would concur.  A crowd of just shy of 1 100 endured inclement weather that that made for difficult conditions in which to play rugby.  

Albion were forced into changing the winning team from Fylde last weekend; Harrison Culley having been called up for the England U20s. This would see Matt Shepherd moving out onto the wing and a recall for Cameron Setter at scrum half. They kicked off towards the North End, and from the outset it was apparent the ball was going to be difficult to keep in hand. Albion applied early pressure, opting for the corner on a good few occasions. Coventry defended well and set out their stall by putting a lot of players to the breakdown area to secure quick ball and relieve pressure. So after such a promising start, it was a surprise to see Albion concede a penalty in their 22, which fly-half Caolan Ryan converted; PARFC 0 - 3 Coventry.

Straight from the restart Albion responded; they managed to secure ball and decided on a kick and chase well into the Coventry 22, where full-back Gaston Mieres fumbled the ball trying to clear. With plenty of Albion players around him, as he went to kick it was charged down by Albion captain Jake Murphy who went over for the score. Matt Shepherd converted;  PARFC 7 - 3 Coventry.

Albion with their tails up then scored two quick tries in the space of a few minutes. From a lineout, Shepherd made a break and looked like he was going over. Seeing Jake Murphy right on his shoulder, he chose to pass and and let the skipper score. Surprisingly, as he attempted to convert, Matt was to strike the dreaded post that Billy Searle managed to hit a couple of weeks ago; PARFC 12 - 3 Coventry.

This was followed by some slick handling and good forward play. Nile Dacres fed Sam Matavesi, who in turn put Herbie Stupple rampaging through, for him to offload and give Matt Shepherd a free run for the line and eventually a successful conversion; PARFC 19 - 3 Coventry.

Coventry, like Albion two weeks ago, were paying the penalty for trying to play expansive rugby in areas where spilling the ball would put huge pressure on their back line. But they did seem to be getting a foothold in the game, and just before the interval they were rewarded for their efforts. After knocking over a penalty, and as a result of another given away from a lineout catch and drive, hooker Matt Price reduced the arrears further and the conversion was good; PARFC 19 - 13 Coventry (HT).

With conditions worsening in the second half, Albion went in search of a fourth try and were duly rewarded as they turned over Coventry ball and Jake Murphy cut the visitors' defence apart to secure a hat-trick. As the winds strengthened, Matt Shepherd hit the underside of the bar and the opportunity to stretch the lead further was gone; PARFC 24 - 13 Coventry.

Albion’s penalty count was starting to stack up, and this made for a closer game than need be. Both sides used their benches as the conditions were taking their toll. Coventry were always in this game, and after Albion conceded another penalty, they went for the corner. From the catch and drive, a pumped-up Dan Wright burrowed over the Albion line. Caolan Ryan was unsuccessful with his kick; PARFC 24 - 18 Coventry.

With another penalty going astray for Albion, the home faithful were more edgy than at any other time. However, nerves were to be settled. With five minutes remaining, Albion’s Mark Koteczky collected a high ball and ran in Albion’s fifth try of the afternoon. The conversion missed and there was no further change before the final whistle; PARFC 29 - 18 Coventry.

During the game, there was a funny incident in front of the grandstand; Matt Shepherd looked like he had deftly kept the ball in play only for the assistant ref to adjudge it had gone out. "Oh sh*t!", was the yelp from Matt.

I am sure the home faithful are more than happy with the five point, five try win, but I'm a little concerned at the Albion penalty count, as on another day against another side we could have been punished. In addition, with the kicking at goal difficult and the lineout working well, why not turn the screw on the Coventry defence and opt for an easier kick to the corner? Still, with the visitors returning pointless, everything seems to be going in the right direction, overall.

The sponsor for the day picked Billy Seale as MoM - though some might say skipper Jake Murphy deserved it on the back of his hat-trick of tries. Onwards to Esher next Saturday and the chance to avenge our drubbing back in the autumn. Come on Albion!!!