By stonehousealbion
April 9 2016

With still no word on our financial plight, Albion go into their last but one home game as they welcome Wharfedale to Brickfields. Even in the topsy turvy league that is Nat 1, this fixture would have had a completely different aspect to it a month ago. Straight forward giant v minnow, right? Now with the end of the season in sight and the relegation situation beginning to crystalise and our winning streak well and truly torpedoed last Saturday, the Yorkshire team who are looking at Nat 2N rugby with one eye, must be feeling they have a decent chance.

With all the romance of an FA Cup tie, the village team from the Dales were able to give league leaders a real run for their money last week. (Quiet at the back, conspiracy theorists!) And they were more than creditable against Hartpury in the previous round. More worryingly, they were able to salvage an LBP and a decent haul on the scoreboard against Ampthill back in February (35-29). It's obvious what threatened sides can do when backs are to the wall. But they are not without their own injury problems - the skipper and several first team regulars are out crocked.

Albion have to climb the mental summit of putting the shellacking at Dillingham Park behind them. And in this respect they have previous in the current season. Esher at home, Blackheath away - just learn the lessons and chalk it up to experience. Thankfully, the injuries sustained don't appear to have been as serious as first thought. Nonetheless, the absence of Cam Setter at scrum-half is a key concern. Matt Shepherd, although rusty 9-wise is certainly up to the job. Tom Putt will start at full back and he performed well in that role last week given his long absence to injury and recent game time at Newton Abbot. The start of this campaign certainly showed his ability to step up to the plate. One further blow is the late loss of Seti Raumakita from the bench, due to a citation from the last home game against Blackheath. Apparently, for "stamping", it looked pretty clear to me as though he was disengaging from a restraining Club hand that was detaining him at the breakdown. If so, he has been hard done by - but naturally Albion have acted to limit the longer term damage. Better to have him available for the "bigger" games later this month.

The weather is at least more favourable than when the clubs last met back in December. Storm Desmond did it's worst and kept the scoreline low and close. April showers are on the cards, but at least the pitch should have benefitted from all the sun this week. The online pundits at rolling-maul have been indulging in a little "heart over head" voting - but we're still 2:1 to carry the day.

The Grand National organisers have kindly consented to a late start, so the nag-followers have no excuse for staying away this afternoon. Many Clouds would seem an apt choice for home supporters, while shutthefrontdoor might appeal to devotees of the scrum. Whatever, back up your flutter with some 50/50 chances as well.

Can we do it? Of course - keep calm and carry on! I expect a hard game from the Dalesmen, but think a restrained, determined Albion side will get us back to winning ways (4-1).

Here's today's full fixture list:

Sat 09 Apr

Blaydon v Cinderford   14:30   Crow Trees

Hartpury College v Rosslyn Park   14:30   College Stadium

Coventry v Darlington Mowden Park   15:00   Butts Park Arena

Esher v Henley   15:00   Molesey Road

Fylde v Blackheath   15:00   Woodlands

Hull Ionians v Ampthill   15:00   Brantingham Park

Plymouth Albion v Wharfedale   15:00   Brickfields

Richmond v Loughborough Students   15:00   Richmond Athletic Ground

National League 1 - 2015-6 Wk 27

Discussion started by Unofficial Plymouth Albion (IP Logged), 09/04/2016 09:12

Unofficial Plymouth Albion
09/04/2016 09:12

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hills22
09/04/2016 11:33

Here's hoping the team come roaring out and the season does not drift to a close being end of season and the other news. Writing this, it is dry - conditions this team would have cherished back in one of the wettest winters where they managed to get us wins in doing the club proud all over the country. Best of luck to Albion!

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hills22
09/04/2016 12:13

Shall I take plonker of the week award. The rain arrives.

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