At last - a H W with 4T!

By A Nomad
October 25 2015

The question prior to this game was “Can Albion maintain the momentum they gained at Blaydon?” There was a strong wind blowing down the pitch towards the club house and Albion, having won the toss, elected to play with the wind in the first half. Playing with the elements in the first half does require a good start and to get the score board ticking over as soon as possible. Failure to do so allows the opposition to adapt to unfamiliar surroundings without falling behind. The crowd (894) was rather sparse probably due to the lack of bookings for hospitality tables. As a consequence, the Supporters Marquee was closed and the Midas was the principle watering hole. 

Albion have been rather slow out of the blocks this season, but using the wind well enabled them to put pressure on Cinderford almost from the off. Billy Searle made an excellent break piercing the Cinderford defence with ease, but what should have been a scoring pass went astray. As with several other of our teenagers, he is on a steep learning curve adjusting to Nat 1 rugby and so the occasional mistake will be made. 

A good kick into the left hand corner almost resulted in an opening try for Ethan Ford, but the referee deemed that a defender had touched it down for a 22 drop-out. With the wind Cinderford were struggling to get out of their half. Following a tapped penalty, they were penalised and Herbie Stupple carried the ball into their 22 where he was stopped illegally. Cinderford were again penalised and their hooker sent to the sin bin. Tom Putt had the easy task of opening Albion’s account. 

Cinderford remained under pressure. Albion were playing well and again showing signs of improving week on week; something completely missing in their last home fixture. This week, the pack were on top of their game; not perfect, but they certainly had the upper hand over the opposition. The next score was a penalty try; Albion’s scrum was pushing towards the line when they were stopped illegally. The referee had no hesitation in running under the posts to award the penalty score; PARFC 10 - 0 Cinderford. 

Such was their dominance that it was not long before a second try followed from a maul. However, it was not a forward’s name on the score sheet - it was Mark Koteczky who, with a number of other backs had added their weight to the advancing pack. This move was reminiscent of the many tries scored years ago when our powerful forwards created opportunities for backs coming in to assist. This one was in the left hand corner and although Tom Putt had a good attempt at the conversion, it narrowly missed the left hand post; PARFC 15 - 0 Cinderford. 

At this stage one expected Albion to continue to dominate their opponents and, like last week, gain the try bonus point before half time, but that was not to be. In a rare visit to Albion’s 22, Cinderford attacked with purpose and looked likely to score. Albion’s defence held out, but in so doing James Penman was given a 10 minute rest for a ‘no arms’ tackle. Cinderford easily opened their account with the resultant penalty being in right front of the posts; PARFC 15 - 3 Cinderford. We then took advantage of the replacements rule that applies in Nat 1. Dan Collier had received a knock and went off for treatment, but was able to return to the fray at the start of the second half. 

Not long afterwards, as Albion returned to the attack, a Cinderford player was injured and appeared to be unconscious. The referee immediately stopped play for him to receive treatment.  Happily, the player was eventually helped to his feet and walked off the pitch. (Play had been held up for several minutes and this caused the half time break to be shortened so that the match would be over before the RWC semi-final commenced.) Albion continued to play well. As the interval approached, Nile Dacres made an excellent break into the 22 and was tackled just short of the line by the last defender. Momentum carried him over, but the referee adjudged that the ball had been held-up. No time remained for an attacking 5 metre scrum. 

So at half time the question was, “Have we scored sufficient points to withstand the expected counter-attack from Cinderford?” Not only had the visitors been battling into a strong wind, their discipline was poor; frequently giving penalties away in their own half. Their recent form seems to have adversely impacted on team cohesion. (We know all too well what that is like…) When things are going wrong, players want to win games on their own, ignoring team mates in doing so. Although a strong wind enables teams to gain territorial advantage with their kicking game, it can aid their passing when running into the wind. 

In the second half Cinderford scored first. They established a driving maul on Albion’s left and once underway, it could not be stopped – but nor could the conversion be made; PARFC 15 - 8 Cinderford. Not long afterwards Albion turned over Cinderford possession inside their own 22. Mark Koteczky carried the ball forward and then kicked ahead. A trio of Albion players gave chase and apart from the defending full back, out-sprinted the retreating defence. This good back up play enabled Ethan Ford to pick up the ball and dive over the line. Tom Putt in spite of the strong wind was able to successfully add the extras; PARFC 22 - 8 Cinderford.

Cinderford kept going, causing Albion to defend. At one line out deep in the home 22, Cinderford attempted to set-up a catch and drive. However, Albion clearly have been working on the issue which has caused them problems in matches right back to the friendly in Jersey. They coordinated their defence in an effective manner and were able to completely disrupt the Cinderford move. 

Albion’s bonus point try came with the backs combining well; Jake Murphy gathered a loose ball eventually passing it on to his fellow centre Tom Bedford who then shipped it on to Billy Searle to score out wide on the right. Tom Putt’s effort was blown way off course by the wind. Albion now looked home and dry with 5 points in the bag; PARFC 27 – 8 Cinderford. 

Another following move by Albion’s backs looked likely to end in a score in a similar position, but a superb interception by Cinderford’s fly half Callum Sheedy led to him to sprint well over 60 metres to score under our posts. He then kick a very quick conversion before Albion’s players had even assembled behind the try line; PARFC 27 Cinderford 15. Albion then saw out the rest of the game without further alarms.  

This was a good performance by Albion although a match that should have been won more comfortably. Perhaps had the two ‘disallowed’ tries been awarded Cinderford’s morale would have collapsed completely and Albion could have scored with ease in the final minutes of the game. 

It was an improved performance which bodes well for the future as our teenagers continue to shape up. By the end of the season they should have ‘old heads’ on young shoulders. We are now in eighth in the table with the prospect of another win at Henley in two weeks time. By then we should see the return of our RN players from the Defence World Cup and perhaps some of the injured players will be fit for action again. 

In the meantime our development team, The Warriors, is in action up at Taunton on Tuesday evening, giving game time to fringe players and those returning from injury.  

Match Report: PARFC 27 - 15 Cinderford (Nat 1)

Discussion started by Unofficial Plymouth Albion (IP Logged), 25/10/2015 15:40

Unofficial Plymouth Albion
25/10/2015 15:40

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015:10:27:13:53:30 by Igwok Dominus.

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albi supporter
25/10/2015 16:46

thanks for good report couldn't see why james penman was yellow carded but now know the reasons.

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albion nut
25/10/2015 18:17

good result boys played well. improving every game
Very bad taste from the man on the "Mike" playing the theme from
Casualty when opposition player was down injured..not very sporting or clever as pointed out by visiting supporters & home
regulars. Management should mention to who is in the box.

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hills22
25/10/2015 18:50

A great result and afternoon at Albion, the chance to catchup with fellow fans who I respect greatly. well done to the players too. A great atmosphere at Albion. Do we really have to wait three waits for the next one. We do but we will have to fill the time watching rugby and more rugby. Thank you Albion, we're a great club to support. Albialbialbi ononon



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015:10:25:19:08:47 by hills22.

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stonehousealbion
25/10/2015 19:47

Clang! Factchecking howler No 2 of 2015/16 by the editor:

Although I attended the game yesterday, I forgot the exact full time score. Checked another rugby forum and one of the alllbion faithful had posted "29 - 15" - which I duly copied. Titles of articles can't be edited once posted - Doh!

Apologies to all.

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

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Dazman
25/10/2015 19:55

Here is a link to my photos from the match (via my Facebook page)
[www.facebook.com]

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North End Rambler
26/10/2015 10:45

From my standpoint what stood out was the need for Albion's youngsters to sharpen up on their passing and catching skills. Running with ball in hand, they look like a destructive unit but too many passes lack the accuracy to carry on and provide the clean finish. The flow of the game on Saturday was regularly disrupted by attempts to clean up and recover from a poor pass. Cinderford's intercept try also makes the case for tightening up on passing skills.
I am sure that the players recognise this and will be working on this (as well as all the other aspects of their game) because they are young, keen and eager to do well. I am sure they will. If they can emulate the All Black's slick accurate passing in time for the Henley game we should be in for a real treat!

The less said about the musical accompaniment to the treatment of a player who had clearly taken a severe knock the better. It made me feel disgusted and ashamed.

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lobina
26/10/2015 12:10

Albion are well on course for a top half of the table finish, anything better then that will be a bonus.
I am quite liking watching a winning side,long may it continue.

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albion nut
26/10/2015 21:04

The music man In the box got a mention in EH For his section of music during injury to player. Do we need music when in stoppage of play, certainly when an injury takes place. Book up Albion

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Albiforever
27/10/2015 07:57

Thanks for the report Nomad. From 11,000 miles away, it make interesting and informative reading.

We know ' management ' reads these pages, so they will get the point about the music - seems unbelievable and an embarrassment.

The RWC probably caused part of the low corporate tables but Emma had a hospital pass in being appointed with no time to create any momentum and in my opinion the prices are too high for Nat 1 rugby, corporate hospitality or not.

Great win for the lads and well done. Wish I could have been there. Pleased also to see the development team news.

Come on Albi

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Igwok Dominus
27/10/2015 13:55

Quote:

stonehousealbion
. Titles of articles can't be edited once posted.

You gave up too easily SHA, although it might be considered a little rude to change everyone's postings thereafter.

My body is a temple - I desecrate it every day

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