By stonehousealbion
February 4 2016

Blaydon come a-visiting to the Brickfields this Saturday – the first of three games on the trot against teams in the lower reaches of Nat 1. But if there’s one thing we’ve learnt this season, it’s that standing in the table delivers no respite on the field. It’ll be a question of disregarding our own (commendable) form, putting in another solid shift and continuing the gratifying progress that has characterised this campaign.  

Blaydon presently occupy 14th place in the league with a lowly five wins from 18 games played. They've taken a few shellackings on the road (Coventry, DMP and Hartpury), but if you look among the results and you'll find some interesting outcomes. First day of the season, they did a number on the (now) mighty Blackheath who came to visit. OK - opening weekend is classic banana skin territory; but not long afterwards, they gave us a run for our money (33 - 38) when we trekked up North. Then two positive results against Park and Esher - again at home. Probably of most relevance is the damage-limiting LBP 3 - 10 loss to Richmond last Saturday at Crow Trees. They obviously don't travel too well, but we'd be foolish to think that particular trend can't be bucked – especially if they choose to overnight en route.

Right now, as an unchanged Albion team has been picked, it looks as though the weather will be the dominant factor. We might think we’ve seen some grim conditions over the past few months, but tomorrow looks set to top the lot – heavy rain and 50-60 mph squally winds. Baggy jumpers, boys – that ball is going to need some looking after come kick-off! (And bring another beer for the groundsman to cry into...) It’s hardly an occasion to whinge about the small crowds that are coming to see the exciting brand of rugby currently on offer. With that kind of a forecast and Six Nations on TV (but the ENG v SCO clash will be on the screens immediately after the game), many will opt to stay in the dry for their sporting fix. Dig out your oilskins, if you don’t mind a bit of wind-blown precipitation - it’ll still be a grand day out.

Nor I guess, the right time to ruminate on the variable state of our spot kicking – it’s going to be a real challenge from the tee. The past few games have seen a fair tally of points left on the field when they are sorely missed in the F column. Granted, the guys responsible are doing more than enough to justify their presence on the team sheet, but it’s frustrating that our winning margins are not better, and extra pressure could be applied to opponents earlier in games. Tom Putt’s return to fitness (he played in the Academy game during the week, but doesn’t make it to the bench) means we have a potential extra option. It’s just a question of who gets shuffled off. All young Tom will be kicking in the meantime is his heels (or maybe not...).

With the relative difference in form, you might think that max points are in the bag. My own feeling is that it could well be a more modest 4-0 home victory and that those points won't come easily. Anything more will just be... a bonus, really.

Here's the full fixture list:

Sat 06 Feb

Hull Ionians v Esher   14:00   Brantingham Park

Loughborough Students v Darlington Mowden Park   14:00   UoL Stadium

Wharfedale v Blackheath   14:00   The Avenue

Ampthill v Rosslyn Park   14:15   Dillingham Park

Hartpury College v Henley   14:30   College Stadium

Fylde v Coventry   15:00   Woodside Ground TBC

Plymouth Albion v Blaydon   15:00   Brickfields

Richmond v Cinderford   15:00   Richmond Athletic Ground

National League 1 - 2015-6 Wk 21

Discussion started by Unofficial Plymouth Albion (IP Logged), 05/02/2016 09:03

Unofficial Plymouth Albion
05/02/2016 09:03

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Captain Birdseye
05/02/2016 13:46

Blaydon viewpoint HERE
Interesting the distance has stopped some players travelling. Don't know why they can't do what we did (I think) and travel overnight after the game!!

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hills22
06/02/2016 07:44

Best of luck to Albion today. Shame yet more rain forecasted for a game. Let's hope Plymouth are celebrating a win before thoughts turn to that international which will surely divide support.

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