Aaaargh- not again!

By A Nomad
December 28 2014

With only 5 minutes left on the clock, Albion had an opportunity to snatch a dramatic victory. Tom Harrison had just scored a try following sustained forward pressure on the Pirate's goal line. On resumption, Albion tore into the Pirates and had them under so much pressure that they showed signs of panic. Albion were awarded a penalty deep in the Pirates half. But rather than going for goal (which would have tied the scores on 22 all), they kicked for the corner; clearly hoping to win the resultant line out and score a potential game winner. It was not to be - yet again in this match (as in several others this season), they lost the crucial line out. Play switched to the other end of the pitch and even the valuable losing bonus point disappeared as the Pirates scored their fourth try making off with all the loot.

Albion had encouraged fans to come and cheer the team on - and they did in large numbers. There was a lengthy queue stretching back to the main road with many still coming into the ground well after hostilities had commenced.  It was the biggest crowd at the Brickfields for some considerable time.

Pirates won the toss, deciding to play into a strong wind with the club house at their backs. Albion had the first chance to score when a penalty was awarded just over the half way line. Declan Cusack’s attempt although it had the legs, went wide of the posts. In the early exchanges, Albion had the upper hand with the Pirates conceding a number of penalties. Albion had a lineout inside the 22 outside the Supporter's Marquee. An excellent position went begging when the jumper could only get one hand on the ball, knocking it forward several yards. Pirates seized this opportunity to run the ball out to their left and well into the Albion half, then grubber kicking towards the corner flag. Albion cover defence regained possession close to their own line, but the result was a lineout to the Pirates 5 metres out. Albion couldn't prevent the catch and drive to concede an unconverted try.

The home side regained the lead with further penalties and the Pirates also kicked a penalty. But at half time Albion only had a 4 point lead; with the strong wind at their, backs they really needed a 14 point cushion at the interval. The second half was going to be hard work. 

Albion had much of the possession in the half with Declan kicking well and Albion’s chancers putting the catchers under pressure.  It was the Pirates poor discipline which allowed Albion so much possession. Two lineouts had already gone begging, but the problem seemed to be a lack of communication amongst the players.  On another occasion Albion had a line out under the announcer’s cabin. But before Sam Matavesi was ready to throw the ball in, Albion already had a jumper in the air and the hurried throw went straight to the Pirates. The few attacks that the Pirates made again revealed Albion’s weakness in first up tackles; the penetration that the visitors made for their early try was partly down to missed contacts in mid field.

In the second half, it was Albion’s poor discipline that caused them major problems. Following a number of penalties, Pirates had a throw on Albion’s 5 metre line in a similar position to where Albion had lost possession in the first half. Rhys Oakley collapsed a maul when Pirates were driving to the line and received a yellow card. A lineout followed and, as in the first half, the Pirates were able to make it count with a converted try. They now had the lead which they never lost.

Whilst down to 14 men, the home side conceded a third try which was also converted. Rhys did not return to the action when his sin bin ended, Brett Beukeboom taking his place. Albion did defend exceptionally well on occasions and prevented the Pirates scoring with some excellent tackling and cover defence, but there were also poor attempts at stopping ball carriers going over the gain line. 

Although it was a close match, Albion made too many errors to break the sequence of defeats against the Pirates. They have lost the ability to score tries; even the one we did score it needed several pick and goes before Tom Harrison found a gap in the defensive cover. Conversely, the Pirates took most of their opportunities - showing excellent turns of speed for their third and fourth tries.

Match Report: PARFC 19 - 27 Cornish Pirates(C'ship)

Discussion started by Unofficial Plymouth Albion (IP Logged), 28/12/2014 15:00

Unofficial Plymouth Albion
28/12/2014 15:00

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Captain Birdseye
28/12/2014 15:51

Line outs still seem to be a problem. What is the forwards coach doing?

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hills22
28/12/2014 17:22

Thank you for the report A Nomad.

Will stay with the boys as we head to Bristol, keep going and believing.

Was good to see the ground full and the bars afterwards for a good atmosphere and hard fought game of rugby. At half time, it looked promising for us before the Pirates managed to turn the game but even after that we scored to give us hope.

Hopefully the positives can be taken from this game. Our side face Bristol in a few days, best of luck to the boys. Thank you to the players for the efforts of representing the club over Christmas. Two games in five days, hopefully no one gets injured.

Was good to see two of our supporters back at the ground, readers of this site, glad to see you back guys.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014:12:28:17:57:24 by hills22.

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Albiforever
28/12/2014 19:10

From where I was, Albi never looked like winning.

It was an average match between average contestants.

I left early, in no doubt about the result.

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