Plymouth Albion v Northampton Saints

Saturday, 19^th January 2008 – 3.00pm

Brickfields

Match Preview

Half a pound of flour and lard makes lovely oggies. The opening line from the oggie song.  But what will be the making of a fascinating encounter from Albion and Saints on Saturday. Sir Francis Drake took on the Armada and won. Sir Francis Chichester took on the oceans and won.  Michael Foot took on the Tories and lost. Captain Robert Falcon Scott took on the Antartic and lost. All famous Plymouthians but who are going to be the winners and losers this week?

This is, as far as I am aware, the first time that the Comeonyousaints.com match day preview has been written by an opposition team supporter. I am fortunate enough to have a boot in each camp. Plymouth born and bred, residing in and supporting Northampton for the last twelve years. This is the second meeting of the two teams this season and the first visit to Brickfields Recreation Ground.

Plymouth Albion were formed in 1875, by Devonport Dockyard Apprentices (Janners). I wonder how many Janners will be reading this? It’s being written by one. They have had several home grounds since then including; Devonport Park, Bladderly, Home Park (Argyle’s ground), Devonport Rec and Beacon Park. They moved to their new home at Brickfields in the summer of 2003. Since then the ground and its facilities have been improving with the hope of Premiership rugby. The East Stand development, the North Stand seating and the addition of flood lights being the most recent. The appointment of Graham Dawe as Chairman of Rugby has seen Albion grow in stature from Div 3 South to premiership contenders in Div1.

Saints and Albion have met 22 times dating back to the 1901-02 season where Saints were the victors 11-19.  The last time the two sides met was on Saturday 29^th September, last year.  It was a clear win for the Saints with them claiming the try bonus point with a score line of 34–15. The Saints tries came from; Reihana, Diggin, Fox and Short in injury time.  However, the game was not as one sided as the score line suggests. Two tries in quick succession from Cruickshanks and the speedy Gibson meant a half time lead for Albion at 13–12.

This game is a return to league action for both teams after their matches in the EDF National Trophy Round 4. Saints clear winners against a determined Cornish Pirates side and Albion also clear winners away at Henley Hawks 27-3. Northampton will want to keep their 100% record intact and increase their bonus point tally and Albion will want to be the first side to take the scalp of the Saints in front of their home crowd.

Euan Murray picked up an injury last time out will probably be out of action for this game and Albion have injury problems too. Liam Gibson, Nic Sestaret, Ben Gulliver and Martin Rice are currently taking up space on the physio’s bench. Could King Carlos hold onto the 10 shirt for another week? Should Bruce get his 15 shirt back?

Saints                                                  Albion

1 Smith                                                            Mathias

2 Hartley                                              Owen

3 Stewart                                             Davis

4 Short                                                 Stewart

5 Rae                                                   Hayes

6 Tupai                                                 Lowrie

7 Lewitt                                               Stroud

8 Hopley                                              Bornman

9 Howard                                             Cane

10 Spencer                                          Davies

11 Diggin                                             Lewsey

12 Downey                                          Laidlaw

13 Clarke                                             Fisilau

14 Ashton                                            Neethling

15 Reihana                                          Cruickshanks

My prediction 28–16 win to Saints with no bonus point. That’s with my head; my heart tells me 16- 15 Albion.

Getting to the ground is fairly easy from the city centre. It is a short taxi ride or a fifteen minute walk to the ground. Head west along Union Street, across a roundabout, over the bridge, 200 yards up the hill and the ground is tucked away on the right. The “Red Shirts“ (regular posters on Albion’s Sportnetwork site) have recommended the Ryarche Marquee as the first destination for the lubrication. This can be found in the south east corner of the ground.  They will be in their usual corner offering a warm welcome to all.

For those of you staying in Plymouth a little longer here are some of my recommendations for things to see and do: The large sun dial. The large prawn. The big new shopping centre at the top of the city. The new Art Centre building. The Gin Distillery on the Barbican.  Cap’n Jaspers on the Barbican. The walk around the foreshore from the Barbican  to the Hoe. The war memorials on the Hoe. The National Marine Aquarium and a one hour “circlear” cruise to see the Dockyard and the warships. There are loads of pubs and places to eat on the Barbican bus it does get lively in the evenings, especially Saturdays.

Here’s to a great game. Come On You Saints.

Albion Saint

I’m off to the bookies to put a tenner on Albion.

Who would you put your money on, Dawn French or Alan Carr?

You can take the Janner out of Plymouth but you can’t take Plymouth out of the Janner.

All together now Aaaallllllbbbbiiioooonnnnnnnn.

Sorry.

Come on you Saaaaiiiinnnnttttttttssssss.

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