By Frank Stormont
February 7 2008

Albion host Bedford in a hope of returning to winning ways in the League, and Warriors travel to London Scottish with an aim of staying top of the Canterbury Shield.

This Weekend

v
Albion v B Blues
Saturday 09 February
K.O. 3 pm

Albion need to get back to winning ways in the league as they host Bedford who sit one place us in the league but 8 points ahead. With a narrow defeat when we were away earlier in the season making a big difference to the gap. Albion have only won one league game in the last seven and that was against Bees on the 29th December.

The last 5 meetings between the two clubs have been won by the hosts so lets hope that will continue. On the last two occasions Adam Kettle has scored a try, last season for Bedford and this for Albion so one more please Adam.

A good win this weekend for Albion and at Coventry next weekend could see us over take Bedford in the league so the support from Plymouth is very important. (next week Bedford will be hosting Pirates)

Bedford, who finished 7th last season one point behind Albion, have a 50% record away from home this season.

National League One Data

This table shows the for and against for each team. eg Tries 74/17 is 74 tries scored and 17 conceded. Con Rate is the percentage tries converted.

For Bedford Stats, top scorers, biggest win/loss highest gate etc
Click on this Link >>> Bedford NL1 Data

 Previous meetings

13 October 07
Bedford 13
Plymouth Albion 10

Attendance: = 1793

Albion gave away two penalties in kickable distance to gift Bedford a 6 point advantage.

When Albion had the opportunity to kick for goal they went for the corner and could not make it across.

Albion put their first points on the board in the very last play of the half, when Adam Kettle collected 5 against his old club.

While Tom Hayes was off the pitch after seeing yellow Bedford added a converted try.

When Bedford went a man down after an illegal challenge Ross took the three points but Albion failed to take any other advantage.

Bedford took the home advantage and with a very stop start match Albion came away with only one point!

This is ... Report

Team: Emyr Lewis, Liam Gibson, Arran Cruickshanks, Brad Davies, Nic Sestaret, Ross Laidlaw, Ed Lewsey, Martin Rice, James Owen, Steve Barretto, Colin Stewart, Tom Hayes, Brett Stroud, Adam Kettle, Jannie Bornman Replacements: Wihan Neethling, Nigel Cane, Tim Mathias(used), Richard Oxley(used), Scott Zimmerman, Ben Gulliver(used), Chris Lowrie(used)

Scorers :- Tries Adam Kettle Penalties Ross Laidlaw Conversions Ross Laidlaw Sin Bin Tom Hayes

21 April 07
Bedford 30
Plymouth Albion 13

Albion travelled up the M1 to Bedford and put on a good performance in front of 2292, a good attendance for them. They have to do without Ben Gulliver, Keni Fisilau and Scott Zimmerman who started last week.

Whist Albion played well in both halves they were no match for on from Bedford who had not lost at home since last November, and that was against Titans.

Ed Barnes kicks his first drop goal of the season against his old club and James Pritchard picks up 15 points against his old club and breaking 300 points in the season. James also scores Bedford’s bonus point try in the 47th minute.

Highlight for Albion in the second half was the try for Arran Cruickshanks picking up the ball in his own half before running to touch down in the corner.

With replacements on in the second half Albion could not breach the Bedford line again and will have to work hard against Leeds not to finish 7th in the league.

Team: Nat Saumi, Tom Arscott, Regardt van Eyk, Arran Cruickshanks, Nic Sestaret, Ed Barnes, Ed Lewsey, Tim Mathias, James Owen, Andy Williams, Mike Lewis, Dan Smith, Tom Hayes, Brett Stroud, Chris Lowrie Replacements: Matt Newman(used), Sila Va'Enuku(used), Ross Allen(used), Jake Childs(used), Richard Oxley(used), Ed King(used), Gareth Evans(used)

Scorers :- Tries Arran Cruickshanks Penalties Regardt van Eyk Drop Goals Ed Barnes Conversions Regardt van Eyk Sin Bin Regardt van Eyk

30 December 06
Plymouth Albion 22
Bedford 8

Attendance: = 3827

On a blustery day when the rain came down at times and the mud hung on the faces of the players none of that mattered as Abion claim maximum points from the fixture.

Albion had both territory and possession advantage for most of the match and were able to push Bedford back whenever they wanted to at one time the rolling/driving maul went a good 30 metres but was taken into touch by Bedford with just a metre to go.

Martin Rice picks up his 4th and 5th try of the season with Tom Arscott picking up his 6th diving try and Nic Sestaret his 15th.

Albion did not stay long on the pitch after the match preferring to shower off the layers of mud off their bodies.

More ...

Team: Nat Saumi, Tom Arscott, Regardt van Eyk, Arran Cruickshanks, Nic Sestaret, Ed Barnes, Ed Lewsey, Martin Rice, Richard Oxley, Scott Zimmerman, Brett Stroud, Tom Hayes, Federico Genoud, Danny Thomas, Chris Lowrie Replacements: David Delaney, Nigel Cane, Tim Mathias(used), James Owen, Francisco Deformes(used), Bryn Jenkins, Sila Va'Enuku

Scorers :- Tries 2x Martin Rice Nic Sestaret Tom Arscott Conversions Ed Barnes

25 March 06
Bedford 34
Plymouth Albion 28

Attendance: = 2348

More ...

Team: Luke Arscott, Ed Lewsey, Keni Fisilau, Sam Leung Wai, Nic Sestaret, Ed Barnes, Nigel Cane, Martin Rice, Stuart Friswell, Ryan Hopkins, Brett Luxton, Tom Hayes, Martin Schusterman, Danny Thomas, Alfie Tooala Replacements: Nat Saumi(used), Regardt van Eyk(used), Matias Albina(used), Alister Livesey(used), Graham Dawe(used), Nic Rouse(used), Chris Lowrie

Scorers :- Tries Brett Luxton Danny Thomas Luke Arscott Nic Sestaret Penalties 2x Ed Barnes Conversions Ed Barnes

19 November 05
Plymouth Albion 28
Bedford 23

Attendance: = 1953

Team: Luke Arscott, Jon Fabian, Nat Saumi, Keni Fisilau, Nic Sestaret, Ed Barnes, Nigel Cane, Martin Rice, Stewart Pearl, Scott Zimmerman, Nic Rouse, Tom Hayes, Martin Schusterman, Danny Thomas, Alfie Tooala Replacements: Regardt van Eyk(used), Sam Leung Wai(used), Matias Albina(used), Graham Dawe(used), Ryan Hopkins(used), Brett Stroud, Chris Lowrie

Scorers :- Tries Keni Fisilau Nic Sestaret Tom Hayes Penalties 3x Nat Saumi Conversions 2x Nat Saumi

Other Fixtures

Predictions

BetFred

NYA

RugbyRoundup

Albion’s problem is obvious by the statistic of them averaging just one try per game for their last seven outings. That lack of tries has seen them win just one of those games leaving the proud Devon side languishing in seventh. The Blues have been competitive against all the top sides recently and despite a flimsy away record can win at Brickfields by five points. (that's Bedford by 5)

Rugby Times

Albion to win by 4 points

Franks Prediction

These recent meetings have always gone with the home side and I do not expect that this will change on Saturday. Whilst Albion should win I expect that the margin of the win will not be large and Bedford are likely to pick up the losing bonus point.

 Don't forget to put your own predictions into the calculator LINK

Weather forecast

Current forecast is cloudy max temp 11^oC with  light southerly winds.

Officials for the day

 Referee: Rowan Kitt
Touch judges: Richard Parker-Sedgemore, Fred/ Spong
Assessor: Mike Coleman, Roger Quittenton

According to my records Rowan has officiated at more NL1 matches this season than anyone else.
He has awarded 35 penalties that have been converted to 3 points, 4 penalty tries,19 yellows and 2 red cards.
Albion are one of two teams that have been awarded 3 penalty tries this season and Bedford are the only side to have 3 awarded against them!

Visiting Fans

Tickets are available on the gate but please arrive early to avoid the rush

Car park - £3 per car

48 page programme £2

Good selection of hot food such as pasties, Hog roast and curry as well as plenty of beverage outlets. 

Arrive early to get  space in the car park and take advantage of the £2 a pint in the Ryearch Bar.

Please note that the burger bar outside the ground is nothing to do with Albion and you will not be allowed to bring food into Brickfields!

Local Map

Albion Maters

Wihan Neethling has admitted in the Herald that he would like to be back in the squad for next season as he is settled in the area.

The Warriors team that took on Exeter United will be given GD food for thought as many impressed in the very difficult conditions. And as I reported earlier in the week Dan Hawkes had a fantastic time, making sure all his kicking from hand was well on target and into space.

On the other hand the side that played in Birmingham last Saturday also impressed in particular Brad Davies who was outstanding at 10, has he done enough to keep his place or will Ross be fit enough to walk back into the place he has started all but one league match this season.

There are now so many options or opportunities available to GD that he will find it difficult to make his selections today (Thursday).

Warriors

Westcountry Warriors are sitting at the top of league one in the Canterbury Shield competition having only lost 2 matches this season. This weekend they travel to London Scottish, when the two teams met at Brickfields the day after Albion had lost at Doncaster in front of the Sky TV Cameras. The DoR himself played a full 80 minutes for the first time for a while, he will not be available to play in London this weekend.

Warriors 23
London Scottish 22

Played on the main pitch with players from the previous evening travelling back from Doncaster at 7:45 to make the match. Even sending up a relief driver for the coach so that the team could travel back without a stop.

With no replacements used it was a spectator sport for the 7 players sitting on the bench. Matt Newman had travelled to Donny to cover for Nigel Cane spent another 80 minutes as a spectator. And with Graham Dawe playing at hooker Sam Roberts did not get a look in.

Warriors took the lead in the first half and spent the second holding onto it but it took a drop goal by Daniel Hawks co confirm the result

Team: Wihan Neethling, Ross Batten, Keni Fisilau, Ross Allen, Nat Saumi, Daniel Hawkes, Nigel Cane, George Davis, Graham Dawe, Scott Zimmerman, Ed Stevens, Ed King, Craig Wilson, Gareth Evans, Jamie Tripconey Replacements: Chris Lowrie, James Tichias, Sam Roberts, Jamie Shone, Tom Hayes, Steve Johns, Matt Newman

Scorers :- Tries 2x Ed Stevens Keni Fisilau Drop Goals 2x Daniel Hawkes Conversions Daniel Hawkes

Ladies

Plymouth Albion Ladies have one more week off from League fixtures this weekend but have arrange a local fixture against Paignton to give the side a chance of match time. Please stay tunned for details and listen out on Saturday for details. 

Meanwhile Georgina Rozario is again on England A duty as the travel to Spain to take on the national side. Last weekend Georgina was in the side that took on the Nomads, the female equivalent of the Barbarians.

This weekend Bedford and London Scottish

Discussion started by Unofficial Plymouth Albion (IP Logged), 07/02/2008 12:47

Unofficial Plymouth Albion
07/02/2008 12:47

This weekend Bedford and London Scottish

Reply Quote Report

ianbol
08/02/2008 10:40

Another good one, Frank.

Nice for Dawsey to have a no 10 conundrum, with Dan H. also impressing ! !

Reply Quote Report

noibla
08/02/2008 11:50

Nice one Frank, I see the Kitt/Spong combo hits brickfields again, looking forward to the game.

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