By A Nomad
September 20 2015

Albion had their first away trip of this season against newly promoted Hull Ionians, Nat 2 (N) champions from last year. Our hosts had expected a strong team to be fielded by Albion, not realising that only two starters were from last year’s squad. Conditions were good, but things were so different right from the start. Hull had a simple game plan; kick for field position and batter the forwards up front. This worked very well and Albion seldom had a look in. On the few occasions we created opportunities, we made mistakes and the chances were lost. Throughout the first half we were under the cosh. The Hull forwards created the only try in the first half, but the conversion was missed. Their kicker took the points from two penalties however; one following a yellow card against Seti Raumakita for a high tackle. Albion did well not to ship further points while a man down. So, at half time the score was 11 - 0. Their coach has been reported as telling his team to "bash Albion up front and then see what happens..."

The start of the second half saw a number of changes in Albion’s pack, but Hull’s dominance was even more marked. We were regularly pushed backwards and consequently conceded 2 penalty tries. On both occasions, we were being marched back towards the try line with the referee running under the posts. The second seemed premature as were we still packed down, and although going backwards, there didn't appear to have been any infringements. At this stage it was very much doom and gloom for the Albion support among the crowd of about 250. Hull clearly thought they had done enough to win the game and made several important substitutions. But Albion also made changes with starting front row players returning to the action.

So there then occurred a remarkable turn of events in the last quarter. Once again, our superb fitness got us back into the game. Good play by the backs led to our first try, scored and converted by Billy Searle - one of the half-time swaps. Smart kicks ahead created two more; as the clock wound down, Ethan Ford broke from halfway and just short of the line, offloaded to Jarrad Hayler. As Hull went for the 4T bonus, they were penalised near the Albion 22. Matt Shepherd took a quick tap, wellied it upfield and won the race against two Hull chasers. Searle converted both of the late scores. So after being miles behind, the vital extras meant we escaped with a losing bonus point.

The home pack was on a par with Jersey's; being very large and heavy, and had obviously played together for a number of years. For our part, we were missing some of our larger forwards who were unavailable due to injury and this was telling. One may think that we should have easily won against a team that had just been promoted and misfired on their previous campaign at this level. On this performance however, Hull will give most teams in Nat 1 a very hard game. To our credit, there was once more, a "never say die" attitude throughout the team and, as mentioned, our fitness and stamina were superior to theirs. We may have lost, but we were not beaten.

Albion will return home older and wiser to the realities of rugby at this level to face Fylde at the Brickfields next Saturday at 15.00.

Match Report: Hull Ionians 25 - 21 PARFC (Nat 1)

Discussion started by Unofficial Plymouth Albion (IP Logged), 20/09/2015 09:40

Unofficial Plymouth Albion
20/09/2015 09:40

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ianbol
20/09/2015 10:51

Many thanks for a most informatve and explanatory report,Nomad.

I, for one, was wondering what the heck was happening up there.

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noibla
20/09/2015 14:35

A good read A Nomad , thanks.

Semper Sersum.

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lobina
20/09/2015 15:07

A good report, I was wondering about the PTs but that explained it.
I think without Dan we lack a bit of weight up front more pies for the front row I think.

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Cider Drinker
20/09/2015 16:58

good report, thank you xx

Don't let anything get in the way of a good game of Rugby

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Captain Birdseye
20/09/2015 17:11

Despite travelling the day before it looked like some of the team were a bit lethargic and affected by the long journey.
Hopefully they know what to expect from such long trips they will adapt.

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hills22
20/09/2015 22:58

Thank you A Nomad, a great read.

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plymquin3
21/09/2015 19:12

ideal read and thanks . hopefully we can give them a game at home later in the season . as much the long trip played a part in the result then this should also effect the visiting teams the other way round

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Flanker7
21/09/2015 21:04

Interesting report, room for improvement.

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