Albion 19
Nottingham 18

Albion were on the scoreboard within the first 3 minutes after Nic Sestaret made an attack on the line down the left hand side. When stopped 7 metres short of the line he off loads to Arran Cruickshanks, whilst this did not come to much the next breakdown was in front of the posts and Nottingham were penalised for not rolling away. Ross Laidlaw made no mistake and took the three points.

Albion did not stay in front for long as Tom Barlow took an opportunity at the other end of the pitch when Albion were penalised for diving in 35 metres out and the scores were back level and only 7 minutes gone.

When Albion were given a penalty 10 metres short of the line they declined the opportunity to go for seven with the line out but instead Ross took the ball back outside the 22 and 5 metres from the left-hand touchline to attempt the kick at goal. Ross places the ball on the tee, then takes three steps to the left, one and a bit back before kicking the ball between the posts.

When Nottingham were playing with a penalty advantage in the Albion 22 the ball was passed back to Tom Barlow to take a drop at goal but the ball went wide and the ref went back to the offside infringement. Tom kicked for touch to take the line option.

After several lineout options from penalties Nottingham eventually make it across the line. You have to wonder how many points they would have been up by now if they had taken the kick at goal option. Anyway Tom added the extras this time to take Nottingham into the lead for the first time 6 - 10.

Emyr received a high tackle in the middle of the pitch. The referee indicates the advantage but doesn't blow. Albion support was strong an element of retaliation was spotted by the ref. A hard blow to the whistle stops the game and the ref calls the two captains over to have a long word, no discussion was had with the first offender and no card shown. The words did seem to have an effect on the game as the number of penalties for the rest of the half seemed to have been reduced.

The original offence was penalised and Ross kicked a long true kick to reduce the margin to just one point.

In time added on at the end of the first half, Emyr kicked the ball ahead from open play the ball goes towards the touch line but continued to bounce in play.  With strong support the Nottingham defence were forced to collect the ball a metre short of the line, going over the try line and touching down for a 5 metre scrum.

From that scrum Albion won the ball and made an attack on the Nottingham line. The three minute play Albion were in control and the ref indicated three separate offences with a penalty advantage. Albion made it over the line but it was judged that the ball had been held up. With no time left on the watch Ross kicked for goal to retake the lead and go into the changing rooms 2 points up. 12 - 10

No changes were made to either side at half time.

With just two minutes on the second half clock Tom Barlow attempted to retake the lead after being awarded a penalty for not rolling away but luckily for the hosts the ball was short and right.

Albion thought that they would have a chance to put some more points on the board when Jo Duffey was sent to the bin for a back elbow spotted by the touch judge.  It was not to be as 2 minutes latter Adam Kettle followed him for an offence; sorry could not see what he had done.

With a pressure scrum on the Albion 5 metre line Ed Lewsey attempted to clear into touch but unfortunately for him, and the rest of the Albion support, he did not find touch and Nottingham took full advantage playing the ball wide to the other side of the pitch for a score by the corner flag. Tom Barlow was unable to convert but Nottingham were back in the lead 12 - 15.

With Albion back behind again Big C came on for Gully and started to make his size felt. When Steve Barretto felt unable to pull out of a tackle as Nottingham kicked forward Tom Barlow made sure of the 3 points to take Nottingham 6 points ahead. Steve's quick recognition of his error may have saved him time in the bin for a professional foul.

With just a minute left on the clock a penalty on the 22 and 6 points behind Albion kick for the corner and play the catch and drive move but although they stayed close to the Nottingham line they could not make it across.  Wihan who had come on for Liam was standing on the other wing just waiting for the kick across field that did not come.

Instead after several failed attempts at pushing the pack over Ed Lewsey came off the back of the maul on the blind side to make his way to the line and reduce the margin to just one point. But with Ross Laidlaw on form it did not stay like that for long as he added his two points to bring Albion back into the winning position.

In the last play of the game Albion were penalised for not rolling away in the middle of the posts and Nottingham had the opportunity to win the game with the last kick.  It is at these sort of times that some supporters would look away, but if you kept looking you would have seen Nottingham's replacement kicker miss and the ref blow for the end of the match.

Albion had won the match but it should have been a lot better mistakes were made on both sides and Albion will have too do a lot better next week if they are not to suffer a large defeat to the league leaders, Northampton. The penalty count was to large and the backs did not see much of the ball.  Albion played their get out of jail free card today and will not have one available for them next week.

View a Printer Friendly version of this Story.

Bookmark or share this story with:

• Digg
• Delicious
• Facebook
• Reddit
• Stumbleupon

Related Articles:

• Slide Show Nottingham at Brickfields

SPORTNETWORK SPECIALS

Plymouth Albion Poll