By Flanker 7
October 26 2014

After a very promising start to this game, Albion seemed to huff and puff, looking for someone to take ownership and responsibility for getting them over the line for an elusive first win.

On a clear and rain free afternoon Albion made the perfect start to the game. When Jersey infringed by kicking the ball away following an Albion knock-on, Mark Koteczky kicked for the corner. After a good break by skipper Ian Grieve was stopped just short of the whitewash, James Shanahan recycled the ball out to the aussie full back, who dived over in the corner. From a very difficult conversion position, the score line stayed at Albion 5 Jersey 0.

Many thought “just the tonic” necessary to establish a great platform for playing some flowing rugby and to secure a win. However, after a scrappy 5/6 minutes, Jersey were right back into the match when Albion were penalised at the scrum and Aaron Penberthy duly despatched the penalty to bring the score to Albion 5 Jersey 3.

On 14 minutes, Koteczky opened Albion’s lead further by adding three points from one of many infringements by a Jersey pack, which was finding it difficult to hold a very determined set of Albion forwards; Albion 8 Jersey 3.

As the first half wore on errors on both sides came to the fore, Jersey tried a long range penalty which fell well short, and Albion cleared their lines without too much difficulty.

Albion had numerous opportunities to add to their scoreline, however, they all went begging, after losing their lineouts whilst in good positions, and the hit and miss scrum failing when another huge chance went by the wayside. At the moment Albion truly have an inconsistent set piece, and without one that functions on all cylinders, it is difficult to see where our first win will come from.

Albion were now conceding far too many penalties and right on half time Jersey took the lead in a game largely dominated by the home side. From good pressure at the lineout, Jersey moved the ball out left where T Hoskins found space and went over the whitewash. From a difficult angle Penberthy converted; Albion 8 Jersey 10.

Late in the first half, Ted Stagg - Albion’s hooker, left the field on a stretcher for what looked like quite a serious injury. (He was seen later in the game on crutches.) To add further to Albion’s woes, Shanahan was yellow carded for a deliberate knock-on and from Penberthy’s penalty, Jersey went into a 8 -13 lead at the interval.

Albion made a terrible start to the second half by conceding a penalty for obstruction and once again with great accuracy Penberthy put over the kick; Albion 8 Jersey 16.

In all honesty no-one ever gained the ascendancy, with so many errors being committed by both sides. Albion had many good line breaks but never seem to finish them off where other sides are far more clinical.

On 48 minutes, after Jersey were penalised again in the set piece, Albion went for the territory, and after another infringement by the Jersey pack for offside, the ball went into the corner. From the resultant throw in it looked like Albion had lost the ball forward; however it was off a Jersey player and Rob Langley dived over for the try. From out wide. the conversion missed; Albion 13 Jersey 16.

There were passages of play by Albion which should have put them in the clear. In yet another case of poor decision making, following a good line break by Peter Homan who fed Ben Woods, the latter was stopped just short of the line. When the ball came out wide to Grieve, he was sent packing into touch.

Finally, however, after more good Albion pressure, a line break by Woods was stopped just short again. In the course of some frantic defending Jersey conceded a penalty and this time Koteczky brought the scores level; Albion 16 Jersey 16.

Just when we thought the pendulum was swinging Albion’s way, a comedy of errors took place. Albion knocked-on and Jersey kicked the ball through after T Cowan-Dickie couldn’t get his hands to it. Cameron Setter then lost possession in the 22 resulting in a Jersey penalty which Penberthy converted; Albion 16 Jersey 19.

With ten minutes to go, Langley (Albion’s star man of the day) stole two Jersey lineouts when the visitors were in good scoring positions. From the second steal Albion attacked and were awarded a penalty, and not long after (in a far better position) were awarded another. Koteczky should have levelled the score with a easier looking kick than the others he scored from. However, he missed and within a few minutes Jersey attacked and set up an opportunity for Penberthy to land a well taken drop goal; Albion 16 Jersey 22.

In the closing stages Albion threw everything at Jersey who stood firm to secure an away win. Today’s attendance was 875, and the large majority were once again talking about what could have been, instead of yet another painful home loss.

It is becoming increasingly frustrating trying to secure a win of any sorts - there are no easy games in rugby in the upper end and the club need to remain upbeat in very difficult times. One big positive was an encouraging hour-long performance from Herbie Stupple after his long term injuries. However, all players will need to look at their decision making and indiscipline which are both hurting the side when trying to win a game of rugby.

Match Report: PARFC 16 - 22 Jersey (B&I Cup)

Discussion started by Unofficial Plymouth Albion (IP Logged), 26/10/2014 08:30

Unofficial Plymouth Albion
26/10/2014 08:30

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hills22
26/10/2014 11:23

Enjoyable read Flanker7, was good to catch up with you at the ground as well.

- Good to see Herbie back.

- Sad to see Ted going off on the stretcher but at least he could come off the stretcher before the end.

- Touching moments when the tannoy were reading messages from the Marines.

- Shame for everyone, the result in this one, will keep hopeful.

We now have a two week break before the next stage if you like. Eventful first stage for me on the Albion Journey at times but have enjoyed being able to support the side but have learnt some morals of life along the way.

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A Nomad
26/10/2014 18:20

Is the game plan going to produce results or is it the players unable to carry out the plan?
In the last few minutes of the first half Albion were awarded a penalty just inside the Jersey half. Rather than going for touch or even to attempt for the 3 points they took a tap and ran, why? It has been attempted many times without any obvious benefit this season.
Not long after having been awarded a free kick at scrum time they opt for another scrum and then have a penalty kick against them. This lead to Jersey's sole try. Why opt for a scrum when our scrum is inconsistent?
In the the bygone era teams had set plays to confuse defences when taking tapped penalties. Remember if you kicked the ball into touch you lost possession. Is it time to re-visit some of those old ploys?

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corporalcarrot
27/10/2014 14:17

Jersey unoffy notes

Don't kick it pick it up and GO FORWARD

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