By A Nomad
December 27 2012

The weather of late has been rather damp to say the least. However there was no call to arms for the faithful to arrive early and aerate the pitch with our garden forks. The pitch looked in reasonable condition perhaps helped by Nat’s trenches under the perimeter fencing.

As kick-off time approached the heavens opened and down came the rain. Any hope of an open attacking game was curtailed by the conditions. Pre-game thoughts were that it would be a close affair with perhaps only 5 points in it. In spite of the weather it was clear that there was to be a large crowd, at the kick-off there were still a sizeable queue at the entrance. The attendance was 3,058, the best of the season.

Due to problems with the PA in the Eric Johns stand many of us were unaware of the several changes to the Albion team from that announced on Monday. The biggest surprise was probably that of the crowd favourite Ed Lewsey, back again on holiday, being included in the match day squad. With no PA for the whole game it was blissfully quiet in the stand!

The Pirates had the kick-off with Albion apparently winning the toss and deciding to play against the elements. The wind was blowing at an angle across the pitch from the changing rooms end and towards the Rowe marquee. The weather conditions were such that the Pirates would need a nine point advantage by half time as a cushion to repel Albion’s expected territorial advantage in the second half.

In what has become a prevailing problem, Albion conceded a free kick for an early engagement at the very first scrum of the game. This error was repeated at the next couple of scrums. Albion spent lengthy periods defending in and around their 22 metre line. As for the most of the first half the Pirates made good use of the wind. Albion had few visits to the Pirates half. Consequently they conceded two penalties which former Albion Captain, Kieran Hallett succeeded in converting. The first of which was going yards wide of the right hand post when a gust of wind pushed the ball cleanly between the posts.

With the Pirates constantly kicking deep into Albion’s half and frequently finding touch it was essential that Albion’s line out worked efficiently but it was not to be. In fact throughout the match the line out failed to secure our own ball on all but a hand full of occasions. The wind was tricky but Pirates seemed to master the conditions better than Albion and as a consequence secured most line out possession irrespective of who threw it in. As time for the first half was running out Albion were again pressing and were awarded a penalty 30 metres out just to the left of the posts but again Paul Robert’s kick went wide of the posts. So at half time the score was six nil to the Pirates. Better hopes were held for the second half with such a narrow advantage and with the prevailing conditions likely to favour Albion in the second half.

Both teams changed their shirts at half time both coming out in their traditional colours. The conditions were still atrocious and as anticipated Albion were able to spend more time in the Pirate’s half of the pitch. Some determined play by the forwards resulted in a series of penalties being conceded by the Pirates. With several drives for the line it seemed inevitable that Albion would score but were stopped illegally. A penalty was awarded on the 5 metre line but rather than go for a scrum they opted to go for goal. Paul Roberts went way back over the 22 to improve the angle but his kick went wide of the left hand post. From the resultant 22 drop out the Pirates made their way up field and the danger was gone, at least for the time being. Albion were awarded another penalty. Again Paul Roberts attempt was off target. Within minutes following a good break for a partially wheeled scrum on their own 10 metre line the Pirates made their way well into the Albion half. They defend well but concede a penalty almost on the 22 in front of the posts. Hallett has no problem in finding the target, nine nil to the visitors.

Albion go on the attack and following a penalty of the half way line they have a lineout on the 22 on the right hand wing. Again they lose the lineout but re-gain the ball from a knock on and drive for the line with first Keni Fisilau to the fore and then Sam Matavesi. They are stopped short of the line but Luke Cowan-Dickie gets the ball in the maul and dives over for the game’s only try. Conversion attempted but missed.

That was the end of the scoring. Both sides by now were ringing the changes. The game continued on in the same vein with Albion frequently unable to gain possession from their own line out. A series of penalties conceded saw the Pirates make their way up the left hand touch line but once the referee had said time was up they kicked the ball dead.

A disappointing result but with the line-out failing to work it was remarkable that we still gained a losing bonus point. The good news was the size of the crowd in spite of the weather conditions. No doubt that Albion have to sort out their line outs and also stop conceding free kicks at scrums.

Match Report - Albion 6 Cornish Pirates 9

Discussion started by Unofficial Plymouth Albion (IP Logged), 27/12/2012 16:13

Unofficial Plymouth Albion
27/12/2012 16:13

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Flanker7
27/12/2012 14:51

A Nomad, Just about sums up yet another disappointing Derby defeat, For me today, some strange decision making when in the ascendancy, we must remain positive and regroup and look for another away day success.

Come on Albion!!!!!!!

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ianbol
27/12/2012 15:07

Well said, Nomad. Said as it was, warts and all --- and far too many of those. An Albion fan, sat behind me whom I'd never seen before. mused that if he did his job like the professional players he was watching, he'ld be sacked. Doubt I'll see him again.

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noibla
27/12/2012 16:41

I didn't realize you had it so good in the "Eric" what with there being no distractions in your shell like from the P.A.

Thanks for the report Nomad, it seems that Kerion was fortunate with the wind on one occasion and Paul didn't allow for the wind for two of his penalties, oh well.

Semper Sersum.

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lobina
27/12/2012 18:24

a good report a bad game.

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stonehousealbion
28/12/2012 14:45

Er, wasn't it 5 - 9, with a Losing Bonus? And can we have a direct link on the thread to go straight to the report?

Otherwise, a very good account of the game, which sadly only re-awakens the frustration of watching a very winnable fixture slither out of our hands. The try seemed to indicate that keeping the ball in hand was the way, but the game plan seemed to indicate that taking the risks of long-range kicks was preferable. Wrong plan in my book. The Pirates defence may well be good, but it didn't look unassailable. Quite how we went from being in the CP 22 to our own in a matter of seconds as the game drew to a close is beyond me. Difficult conditions, of course - but like the away fixture, we should have prevailed. We must hope that Leeds will be vulnerable after their slip-up to Jersey.

Come cheer up, my lads - 'tis to glory we steer!

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