By stonehousealbion
April 24 2016

For the final game of this season, Albion travel to SW London to "book-end" this campaign with the return fixture against Nat 1 champions and promotees, Richmond. It's fascinating to look back to that sunny afternoon last September and compare the two teams' fortunes from last season and this. Richmond, having overcome a much larger financial reverse when the game initially went professional, had finished the previous two seasons in seventh place. With a mid-table finish generally accepted for us as a realistic target, the 33-20 win against a team not widely fancied to excel was a reassuring, confidence-building result. All these weeks later, our hosts are on their way to take Moseley's place in the C'ship while Albion having shone on the field, have paid the ultimate price for back-room failings; adiminstration, new ownership and the highest possible league points deduction.

Currently with a 15 point cushion, Richmond have triumphed overall without being the best in key areas. Not the being highest scorers and lacking the best points difference (Hartpury) nor having the meanest defence (Blackheath) and even being held to two draws (like 3/4 of the top four), they have however been consistently good and fully deserve the divisional honours. Since being crowned though, they lost to Rosslyn Park at home last week. They are sending a touring side to South Africa this summer and this may be a distraction with the primary goal achieved. 

Albion, having overcome possible financial administration in the middle of 2014-15 had finally fallen through the trap door into Nat 1 - and lost the majority of  the squad in the process. Intense scouting and training activity over the summer had produced a squad that was promising, but facing the unknown in terms of competitive rugby. Without the financial resources of previous relegees Doncaster and Ealing, we were effectively the fourth promoted side - but potentially encumbered by our recent long history at level 2. As things turned out, we were much better than most expected; the squad gelled and progressed by learning from the reverses and at one stage looked at being in the running for the title and a "bounce-back". The away fixture at Ampthill put paid to that in rugby terms. While Richmond held them to parity, we were simply put to the sword. (Then, the RFU took over...)

So, can we pull off an unlikely win this weekend? The turbulence of the takeover and our enforced mid-table standing were banished last week against runners-up Hartpury who had given the champions a thorough testing a week earlier. In a stirring show of solidarity with the ousted architect of our sporting success this season, Albion rose to the occasion and the visitors were out-played mentally and physically. In a campaign of big asks which have been successfully delivered, it all comes down to pride and a last hurrah for Graham Dawe's promising, committed and entertaining side is most definitely achievable. Bar the regrettable loss of Cameron Setter to a fracture last week, the team has virtually picked itself and there are rumours that "you-know-who" will be in attendance again. It will be a full-on, 80 minute affair, but I predict a 4-1 win to end the season in the hope that many of the participants - and certainly the passion will still be around come September.

The Albi Travel coach is chocker, but you will be able to get behind the lads and travelling support mentally on Twitter and Facebook. Cheer us on one final time!

Here's the full fixture list:

Sat 30 Apr

Loughborough Students v Fylde   14:00   UoL Stadium

Hartpury College v Hull Ionians   14:30   College Stadium

Ampthill v Esher   15:00   Dillingham Park

Blackheath v Blaydon   15:00   Rectory Field

Darlington Mowden Park v Cinderford   15:00   Northern Echo Arena

Henley v Rosslyn Park   15:00   Dry Leas

Richmond v Plymouth Albion   15:00   Richmond Athletic Ground

Wharfedale v Coventry   15:00   The Avenue

National League 1 - 2015-6 Wk 30

Discussion started by Unofficial Plymouth Albion (IP Logged), 29/04/2016 11:08

Unofficial Plymouth Albion
29/04/2016 11:08

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