By Flanker 7
April 12 2015

This game showed the gulf between top and bottom; a very difficult 80 minutes of rugby if you were an Albion supporter, however total delight if you were there to follow Bristol Rugby on their travels. With attendance given as 1 985 (among whom a large Bristol contingent was evident), to come away and watch your team tear apart the opposition at will would have been very satisfying.

Before today's game in the main clubhouse bar, I had the pleasure of meeting up with a group of Northampton Saints supporters who had made the journey to the south-west for their encounter with Exeter Chiefs tomorrow - always great to see other supporters taking in and viewing Championship rugby. It's difficult to see the positives today for in the first half  possession and territory totally belonged to Bristol. I cannot remember a single Albion attack which ventured into the Bristol 22 in the first forty minutes such was Bristol's dominance.

After Albion kicked off towards the North Stand that was, Bristol seemed to be able to run the full length of the field with fluid movement of the ball and punch holes all over the park, which led to the home side infringing repeatedly in vain attempts to contain the onslaught. Within 3 minutes, Bristol had won a penalty and opted to kick for goal to the surprise of many in the ground. M Morgan kicked successfully; Albion 0 - 3 Bristol.

The rest of the first half was then invariably played in the Plymouth 22. Bristol crossed the gain line at will which saw R McMillan open the try scoring; the final toll ending up in double figures - 10 to be exact. I am sure Andy Robinson was delighted not only to see his son Olly cross the whitewash for a hat-trick, but also witness a totally imperious display of rugby. Thoughts that this could have been a banana skin for Bristol were promptly dismissed after the first half tally of almost a point a minute. Some conversions were missed, otherwise the scoreline could have been even worse. HT score; Albion 0 - 36 Bristol.

The second half soon followed in the same pattern as the first. Credit has to be given for the way Bristol took and exploited Albion handling errors which led to scores; multiple catch and drive driving mauls ending up over the Albion try line. From a rugby perspective you have to admire the speed and accuracy of the Bristol play, set piece always appeared to see Albion concede penalties and kicks into the 22 and another 5  points being scored. Bristol played with an intensity which Albion simply could not handle. The home side, to their credit did arouse their own support when they took advantage of a Bristol mistake; Eoghan Grace crossing the Bristol try line. Declan Cusack was successful in securing the extras; Albion 7 - 48 Bristol.

Despite the many changes made by both sides, the pattern of play was never disrupted and the Bristol Juggernaut rolled relentlessly on. On this form it is difficult not to see Bristol promoted back into the Premiership; the playing squad is vast, and all tuned in to the way they want to play rugby. As an Albion supporter it is always difficult to accept defeat, but this game really  demonstrated the gulf between a large effective squad all singing from the same sheet in their quest for promotion and a demoralised, stretched squad struggling to avoid the dreaded drop. Albion must be thoroughly relieved they have another opportunity to try and stay in the Championship at Moseley next week. They need to win by 5 points and not allow their hosts (already seven ahead) to gain any further points themselves. Albion must re-group and focus on devising a plan to beat the trap door into National Division 1. The first step is to secure a victory at Billesley Common and then repeat the feat when Doncaster visit on the last day of the season - in all probability another five pointer...

Like every sportsman though, I believe that until the fat lady sings we our still in with a chance.

(On a sad note, early on there appeared to be a serious-looking leg injury to Ian Evans of Bristol and we all wish him well on a speedy recovery.)

Final score; Albion 7 - 65 Bristol.

Match Report: PARFC 7 - 65 Bristol (C'ship)

Discussion started by Unofficial Plymouth Albion (IP Logged), 12/04/2015 02:19

Unofficial Plymouth Albion
12/04/2015 02:19

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Albiforever
12/04/2015 10:10

Great atmosphere at the Brickfields. Surely more than 1,900 ? Well done to all who made it happen and thank you all the hard working volunteers.

The Great Escape is still on the cards.

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noibla
12/04/2015 11:02

Thanks for the report Flanker 7, never an easy task after watching a game such as this but wearing a different hat it was a grest display from Bris and as you say they are going to be difficult to beat, it should be some final for the promotion spot.

Semper Sersum.

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