Albion 48
Moseley 0

Sometimes writing the reports seem to be a chore but this week it is a pleasure to report on the records that Nic Sestaret, with the help of his team mates, took or equalled. A match that was never in any doubt although Rugby Times had predicted a 4 point win I think they just missed off the 8 of the end. Mind you it could have been missed off when it was reported to me.

Albion were without Wihan Neethling who had failed a fitness test in the morning although Ben Gulliver, Tom Arscott and Regardt van Eyk came through and Ben took on the captain's role after Danny Thomas was ruled out earlier on in the week.

Moseley had come wanting to take at least a point from the match to help in their fight to stay in National League One. They currently sit in the second relegation slot but just two points behind Otley. At the end of the day neither team took away a point and stay exactly where they were Saturday morning.

Albion played the full 80 minutes and were in control for most of the match.  The only time Moseley were any danger was at the start of the first half when they came close to the line but Albion's defence held up and at the beginning of the second when they had more possession but again could not make it count.

With an an overcast sky and a strong wind blowing across the pitch towards the stand Moseley kicked off towards the clubhouse. Moseley make an initial attack on the Albion line but a slip up allowed Regardt van Eyk to pick up an interception and then ran to the halfway line before passing to try machine Nic Sestaret who runs along the touch line before cutting across to score under the posts in the 3rd minute of the match. Regardt added the extra 2 points.

In the 6th minute of the match Ed Barnes, who had a very good game today, kicked from open play and 40 metres out for the corner which bounced in to touch only 6 metres from the line. Moseley were able to take a quick throw in and managed to clear the game from their 22.

10 minutes in when Tom Arscott was tackled off the ball in front of the post Regardt made no doubt and collected three points for his side. 10 - 0 

Nic Sestaret picks up his second try of the match on 22 minutes.  Ed Lewsey stood back off the scrum in their own half to allow Chris Lowrie to pick up the ball pass back to Ed Lewsey who passed to Ed Barnes. Ed Barnes then throw a 25 metre pass out to Nat Saumi who then passed it out to Nic to run in another from the half way line. As the crowd fell silent for the kick the wind also dropped to help Regardt kick for goal and take the score to 17 - 0

With 25 minutes on the clock an advance down the right hand side by Tom Arscott was stopped 10 metres out. With a maul forming after two attempts at the line Albion pushed their way over for the only forwards driving try of the match. After some confusion the try was credited to James Owen. This time the wind was not so helpful to Regardt and the ball went to the left.. 22 - 0

Just before the half hour Moseley could have put points on the board but when they were awarded a penalty 10 metres in front of Albion's posts but decided to take the scrum option. Moseley won the scrum and passed the ball out wide to the right and almost made it across the line but they lost the ball forward and they lost possession.

With time running out in the first half Ed Barnes broke through the Moseley line 30 metres out before passing to Nic who picked up his third hat trick of the season and broke the club record for league tries in a season by putting the ball down behind the posts. The 2 extras from Regardt brings the half time score to 29 - 0.

Less than 10 minutes into the second half Federico Genoud was helped off the pitch holding his arm allowing Mike Lewis to come on. At the line out Mike picked up the ball charging through and almost making the line which would have been a try in seconds of coming onto the pitch. 

Nic picks up his 4th try of the match after picking the ball up on the Moseley 10 metre line and running to the line. Regardt again was not helped by the wind but Albion were now 34 - 0 ahead and 20 minutes left to play.

With only 10 minutes left to play replacement Arran Cruickshanks capitalised on a Moseley mistake on the halfway line picking up the ball and taking the ball the 50 metres to put it down under the posts. The conversion brought the score to 41 - 0.

With the clock still counting down an initial attack by Tom Arscott took the ball into the Moseley 22 before being stopped. He managed to recycle the ball quickly and the ball was passed from one wing to the other and a certain Frenchman was on the end of the play and scored his 5th of the match under the posts. Regardt's boot makes the extras certain and brings the final score to 48 - 0.

To some extent it was a game of what ifs.  Albion could have scored 4 or 5 more tries if they were not called back for forward passes and if Moseley had managed to hold onto the ball instead of knocking on they would have had points on the board.

At several points during the second half it looked as though the hand bags were going to come out but the match was controlled well and boiling point was never actually reached.

Now for the records and achievements from today:

Nic Sestaret most league tries for Albion in a season takes club record 26 (was 23 set by Dan Ward Smith in 2002).

Nic Sestaret most tries in a league match for Albion takes record with 5 (was 4 set by Steve Walkin in 1987).

Nic Sestaret equals the all time record for tries in a season for any club in National League 1 (held by Duncan Roke of Worcester in 2003).

Nic Sestaret equals the club record for points in a league match 25 points (set by Dominic Cundy in 1988).

Nic Sestaret goes to the top of the leader board for tries this season ahead of Jason Forster of Doncaster who has 23.

Nic Sestaret takes the match day’s sponsor Man of the match.

This match shows the biggest margin at home and equals the biggest margin away, against London Welsh way back in December. Also th first match of the season where we have kept a completely clean sheet.

With Pirates only picking up a single point travelling to London Welsh, Albion sit just one point behind them in the league. Albion now have to settle down and prepare to face Cornish Pirates on Easter Saturday, Pirates however have no such chance as they will be playing Bedford on Wednesday evening.  This is the down side to winning last Saturday and being unable to play their postponed fixture on a weekend before the end of the season.

Team: Nat Saumi, Tom Arscott, Regardt van Eyk, Keni Fisilau, Nic Sestaret, Ed Barnes, Ed Lewsey, Gareth Evans, James Owen, Scott Zimmerman, Ben Gulliver, Tom Hayes, Federico Genoud, Brett Stroud, Chris Lowrie Replacements: Matt Newman(used), Sila Va'Enuku(used), Arran Cruickshanks(used), Dan Smith(used), Richard Oxley(used), Mike Lewis(used), Andy Williams(used)

Scorers :- Tries Arran Cruickshanks, James Owen, 5xNic Sestaret Penalty Regardt van Eyk Conversions 5xRegardt van Eyk

Note for those travelling on the supporters Coach to Bedford on the 21st April the coach will now leave at 7:30 and not 8am!

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