Saints & the rest

By Frank Stormont
January 16 2008

Mike Denbee picks up forst start for lbion and Richard Oxley first start this season. Albion look forward to what should be the biggest gate of the season as they play host to League leaders Northampton. Warriors travel to Esher &the ladies take on their league leaders Saracens (SUN)

This Weekend

v
Albion v Saints
Saturday 19 January
K.O. 3 pm

Also this weekend
Esher v Warriors Saturday
&
Ladies v London Saracens Sun 2pm

This will probably be the biggest match of the season for Albion and hopefully the biggest gate too. Ben Gulliver will be in the Sports bar on Thursday and Friday to drum up support or even for just a chat. Come and have a coffee or a meal between 10am an 2pm

The Saints have shown some weaknesses this season and if Albion could play their best match they stand a chance of giving them a run for their money. But Albion will be without Liam who has problems around his kidneys. 

Newbury Blues took them to within a point and Nottingham to 6. Saints top try scorer, Chris Ashton has already scored 20 tries in just 18 matches and I would expect that he will take Nic Sestaret record off of him before too long.

According to Albion Saint "Players to watch that are impressing me at the moment are: Alex Rae at lock, Mark Hopley at 8 and Paul Sheilds hooking. We have injuries to our centres which I think this is why our backs are playing all over the place ie Spencer at full back and Reihana on the wing or recently at outside centre. Chris Ashton on the wing is a natural. Very fast and has a good eye for the game as it evolves. In attack he will come from deep and follow the play as it develops. With the ball in hand his pace and ability to turn the opposition defence inside out is a joy to watch. Not yet fully accustomed to union but when he is it won't be long 'til we see him in a white jersey.

Jim Mallinder is using a squad rotation system and nobody seems to know who will be playing in which position until the players actually come onto the pitch. In the last few games a couple of youngsters have made the bench and desrvedly so after their performance in the A league games. Joe Ansbro, Grant Anderson, Courtney Lawes have appeared either on or off the bench.

Saints winger Chris Ashton along with John Brake, Joe Gray, Courtney Lawes and  Dylan Hartley have all been named in England Saxon's or under 20 squads 

The side Albion took on Henley last week showed some promise even if they played a forwards game not passing the ball out wide very often. I expect that GD will revert to his normal selections for this weekend.

Saints Preview

Tim

Richard

Steve

Jannie

Tom

Mike

Mike

Chris

Ed

Ross

Nic

Brad

Keni

Emyr

Nat

Bench from

Nigel

Arran

Wihan

George

James

Colin

Adam

Brett

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.

Northampton Saints

Full NL1 Stats

Last time

29 September 07
Northampton 34
Plymouth Albion 15

Attendance: = 10099

Northampton were in control of the play for most of the match and Albion took advantage of two opportunities in the first half for Arran Cruickshanks and Liam Gibson to score.

A single penalty early in the second half gave Albion 3 more points but it would never be enough.

Albion held the mauls and rucks well but were pressured by the Northampton scrum half and the drives in the set scrums.

Kicks for touch and into open space did not seem to work well for Albion with Northampton quick to respond.

Albion were playing for the bonus point right until the final whistle was blown and when they tried to run the ball from behind their try line with time all out Northampton took the opportunity to get their bonus point try that Albion had done so well to stop.

More ...   This is ... Report    Opponents Report

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

Scorers :- Tries Arran Cruickshanks Liam Gibson Penalties Ross Laidlaw Conversions Ross Laidlaw

Other Fixtures

Match between Moseley and Launceston has be postponed due to EDF Trophy match with Lanson travelling to Nuneaton for the second week running. 
Moseley have a week off.

Predictions

BetFred

NYA

RugbyRoundup

A tricky match for the league’s pacesetters who are getting ever closer to an unbeaten season. Albion have been indifferent this season but have produced the odd excellent result at Brickfields such as the win over the Pirates. Expect a tight tussle but expect a Saints win, as ever. This time by seven points.

Rugby Times

NYA

Franks Prediction

Well how do we call this one. The team we have can over turn the Saints but will have to pull something out of the bag, not just their boots. I have put Albion down for a narrow win but the conditions may play a big part in the game, with strong cross winds and heavy rain the ball my need to be held tight to come away with the spoils.

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

Weather forecast

Current forecast is light rain max temp 12^oC with  strong Westerly winds so a seat in the Eric Johns stand should offer some protection.

Officials for the day

Referee: Dale Newitt
Touch judges: Richard Draper, Lloyd Jackson
Assessor: Mike Coleman

Dale has refereed 11 NL1 matches this season is yet to award a penalty try or red card but has the second highest rate of penalties that were converted to 3 points  

Visiting Fans

Tickets should be available on the gate but will be limited due to high demand, so come early to avoid disappointment:

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

Albion now look forward to the second visit to Pertemps this season on 2nd February in the 5th round of the EDF Energy National Trophy.

The injury list is beginning to grow with Liam out for a few weeks at least. Hopefully Nic will be back to fitness after missing the trip to Henley last week.

Ed Lewsey is back in the country and in training after taking a week off to be present at his brothers wedding. But will he be on the bench, start at 9 or 14?

Warriors 

Warriors continue their journey in the Canterbury Shield as they travel to Esher on Saturday. Last time the two teams me at Brickfields the Warriors won by just one point.

13 October 07
Warriors 27
Esher 26

Attendance: = 60

A scrappy match that Warriors should have stamped on but never really showed any dominance.

Despite playing 20 minutes of the match with only 14 players on the pitch The Warriors did hold well.

With Albion behind for most of the game it was the very last play of the match that for Tom Hobbs to go over the line after a time of pressure on the Esher try line.
It brought the score to 25 -26 and a pressure kick from the left hand touch line gave Dan Hawkes the chance to win the match.

Team: Jamie Shone, Ross Batten, Will Gingwell, Ross Allen, Darren Ritchie, Daniel Hawkes, Gareth Bater, James Tichias, Sam Roberts, George Davis, Mike Lewis, Ed King, Craig Wilson, Jake Childs, Jamie Tripconey Replacements: Will Banburn(used), Steve Johns(used), Tom Hobbs(used), Ed Stevens(used)

Scorers :- Tries Craig Wilson Daniel Hawkes Jake Childs Tom Hobbs Penalties Daniel Hawkes Conversions 2x Daniel Hawkes Sin Bin Ed King Ross Batten

Ladies

After going down to Richmond last Sunday they will be playing hosts to London Saracens on Sunday at 2

Spy in the Saints camp

Discussion started by Unofficial Plymouth Albion (IP Logged), 16/01/2008 13:08

Unofficial Plymouth Albion
16/01/2008 13:08

Spy in the Saints camp

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noibla
16/01/2008 19:22

Thanks again Frank, excellent report.

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Lithalking
17/01/2008 11:58

Tip top as usual Frank

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Cadarn
17/01/2008 12:22

It's a tough one to call!
Come on you ALBION

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stonehousealbion
17/01/2008 21:05

Get set for the week-end!

Excellent write up, Turncoat - sorry, Albion Saint. And good wite-ups for last w/end, too. As ever, we are spoiled by Frank's sterling efforts behind the scenes.

Here we go!!

PS. (Don't forget the sweepstakes on the Saints Gate thread)

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Albion Saint
17/01/2008 21:51

"Turncoat" Are the gallows still working in southyard?
Albion Saint

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Getting happier by the match!
18/01/2008 14:57

Ed Lewsey walks on water!

After watching him play for Exe at Bris a few years back I can never bring myself to say he gives less than 100% commitment. I still get goosebumps thinking about his last season here (Exe) and almost cry as much as when Annakin became Vader when I realise he turned to the dark side and joined Albion!

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Lithalking
18/01/2008 15:04

Really you mean he saw the light and came out from the dark that was the chuffs

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SaintsDuncan
18/01/2008 15:51

Nice touch with the pictures.

I seem to recall Emyr getting right ratty up at Newbury last season.

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ianbol
18/01/2008 18:21

A very good one, Frank -- as will the result be.

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Getting happier by the match!
19/01/2008 17:17

How prophetic was my posting above then?

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