Plymouth Albion 30 

Sedgley Park 6

On an overcast day with a slight wind blowing Albion restated their claim for the top of National Division. Park were a good side that if and were performing like they did at Brickfields the rest of the season so far they deserved to have more than just the one win under their belt.

After two minutes silence, for Armistice Day, Park were given the honour of kicking off. There followed a kicking battle backwards and forwards up and down the pitch. Within 3 minutes Albion were given a golden opportunity on the 22 and just to the right of the posts Wihan Neethling put 3 points on the board. The ball did not go straight over the bar as it bounced off the left hand post before going over.

On 8 minutes Tom Arscott used his youth and speed to burst out of his own half only to be stopped just inside the park 22. At the other end Albion almost had a shock as a kick forward by Park bounced short of the try line. Nic Sestaret was waiting for the ball to go over so he could touch down for a 22 dropout, but the ball continued to bounce and Nic had to quickly pick it up and attempt a clearance kick which was partly charged down by the Park attack. Albion were able to breath again after Wihan cleared to touch.

On 17 minutes Regardt van Eyk was at the end of a backs try breaking through followed by Nic in support to score under the posts.  The extras were added by Wihan. Just 5 minutes later Ben Gulliver thought he was going to score after Tom Hayes had taken a quick penalty from behind the scrum before the ball was passed out to Ed Barnes who in turn passed back inside to Ben but he was stopped just 10 metres short of the line.

Whilst Danny Thomas was off the pitch for a blood injury Brett Stroud came on and it looked as though Tom Hayes assumed the role as captain. Albion were penalised for diving in at the ruck and Park took the opportunity to put some points on the board by slotting the kick  40 metres out on the left hand side. Within 3 minutes Albion extended the lead again, by the boot of Wihan, when Park were penalised for pulling down at the lineout 40 metres out on the right hand side. 13-3

As the time was counting down towards half time Tom Hayes broke off the back of a scrum on Albion's 10 metre line he passed to scrum half Ed Lewsey who in turn passed out to Tom Arscott. Tom then ran a good 30 metres with his dummies on the way before he passed off to Federico Genoud to complete the move under the posts. With the extras by Wihan it bought the score to 20-3.

The half was not over as Tom Arscott played his part at the other end of the pitch in the last play of the half. Tom made a try saving tackle 2 metres short of the line and although the ball went to an approaching Park player the ball had gone forward from the tackle.

No changes were made to either side at halftime. The ball went straight into touch from the Regardt restart for Park to take the scum back on the centre spot.

With 8 minutes on the clock Park took the three points after Albion were penalised for playing on the ground. Just 2 minutes later Richard Oxley broke through in the centre before passing to Colin Stewart who went over with three Park players attached to him and although some in the crowd thought they saw Colin touch the ball down the ref did not and awarded a 5 metre scrum. 

Albion took the scrum passing the ball out to the right before a maul was formed and went over the line with Ben Gulliver getting up with the ball. 

12 minutes into the 2nd half Sedgley start their replacements with fresh legs.

On 21 minutes Albion play their catch and drive move from a 5 metre lineout with a jubilant Richard Oxley scoring against his old club. When Park try a similar move at the other end Albion hold them fast and win a scrum for their troubles.

With 30 minutes on the 2nd half clock Scott Zimmerman is shown the yellow card from the referee's pocket and with Park taking the scrum option Tim Mathias has to rush down from the stand to take up his place in the front row.  With some confusion it is unclear who he will replace but try scorer Federico leaves the field.

With just 7 minutes left of normal time Matt Newman, James Owen and Arran Cruickshanks come on for Ed Lewsey, Richard Oxley and Keni Fisilau. Soon after Nat Saumi comes on for Ed Barnes and the backs now line up with Matt Newman at scrum half Regardt at fly, Arran at inside and Nat at outside centre. With just 2 minutes left to play Chris Lowrie makes it on the pitch at the sin bin reversal.

If you didn't know that Sedgley Park were at the bottom of the table and had only picked up one win this season you certainly would not have picked it up from this game. They played well and remained in the game for the whole 80 minutes several times turning down certain 3 points with the hope of more by way of a try that just didn't happen.

Albion's defence was excellent and the try stopping tackle made by Tom Arscott was in almost the same square metre of the pitch as Federico's was last week against Titans.  Albion achieved all they could have set out to with 5 league points that moved them into third place at the end of Saturday with Bedford playing on Sunday.

With joint match day sponsors Tom Arscott and Federico Genoud were named joint men of the match. Federico had won the alllbion man of the match against Titans with the biggest vote so far on this website.

Don't forget to register your vote for your man of the match against Park.

Next week Albion make the trip to Birmingham based Moseley hoping to come away with another 5 points and stay in the top 3 in the league.  There are still a number of places left on the coach trip to Moseley next week so if you want to support Albion in their progression then book a seat!

Team: Wihan Neethling, Tom Arscott, Regardt Van Eyk, Keni Fisilau, Nic Sestaret, Ed Barnes, Ed Lewsey, Martin Rice, Richard Oxley, Scott Zimmerman, Colin Stewart, Ben Gulliver, Federico Genoud, Danny Thomas, Tom Hayes Replacements: Brett Stroud(used), Nat Saumi(used), Arran Cruickshanks(used), Matt Newman(used), Tim Mathias(used), James Owen(used), Chris Lowrie(used)

Scorers :- Tries Ben Gulliver Federico Genoud Regardt Van Eyk Richard Oxley Penalties 2x Wihan Neethling Conversions 2x Wihan Neethling

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