Plymouth Albion 8 vs. 22 NORTHAMPTON SAINTS

Saturday, 15th  March, 2008 - 3PM

Brickfields

By Jonathan Stockham from Brickfields.

"Mud, Mud, Glorious Mud" as the song goes and Mud and Glory were there aplenty for the visiting team and their supporters yesterday in Plymouth as the Saints marched on to a Trophy Final date against Exeter on 12 April at Twickenham.

 
Yesterday had all the hallmarks of being "One of those days." Having driven only 10 miles from home en route to Plymouth, a warning light appeared on the dashboard of the car. Fortunately a short detour to the dealers in High Wycombe reassured me that it was something that could wait for 1,000 miles so on we went.

Expecting a bit of rain in South West England, we hit torrential downpours near Exeter, slowing the journey and making a timely arrival in Plymouth look distinctly borderline ("Timely" meaning enough time for a pasty and some Guinness before kick off!).

Fortunately, the holiday season hasn't begun yet so no caravans got in the way and we arrived in time to consume said victuals and then see Scotland losing to Italy thanks to a last minute drop goal! "One of those days?"

News reached us an hour or so before kick off that concerns over the state of the pitch might mean a postponement and a replay back in Plymouth next Saturday when we are supposed to be at home, whupping Exeter and being crowned ND1 Champions! Oh No...it really was becoming "One of those days!" Fortunately, the weather gods decided that this poor wee Scottish Saints fan had had enough for one day and turned the rain clouds off. The threat of postponement was receding along with the standing water on most of the paddock and both captains were happy to get on with the match. Phew!

So we kicked off on time with 30 blokes splashing about in something resembling a paddy field. Saints conceded an early penalty and before you could say "Michael Fish," Plymouth had scored a try in the right hand corner through their speedy winger, Ed Lewsey. It was threatening to be "One of those days" all over again!

Saints decided that they had better not wait until half time and a Nobby West motivational speech and decided to get stuck in. It was a day when catching high balls (no, not the half pint-type glass!) had some risk attached and sure enough, Albion dropped one after Carlos had hoisted a Garryowen and one of their number tried to pick it up again whilst being offside. Up steps Cap'n Bruce Reihana and reduces the deficit to 5 -3.

Albion cunningly took the restart kick into a puddle but Matt Lord grabbed the ball as it floated past with a seagull beginning to build a nest on it and made safe. Aerial ping pong then ensued until Albion dropped another one. The Saints scrum won a free kick at the scrum which soon became a penalty when the home team went offside. Bruce added 3 more points and Saints took the narrowest of leads after 10 minutes.

The Albion scrum half left for treatment for a blood injury, followed by one of his team's medics carrying such a large backpack that he was mistaken by one thirsty fan as one of those Heineken beer dispensers we will see again next season in Europe (he said arrogantly!)

After more aerial ping pong but no more points Saints started to run the ball and passed from hand so quickly that the broody seagull gave up entirely. Albion were caught offside again and Bruce added 3 more points.

The home team, to their great credit, kept at it and having stolen a Saints line out and then loose ball which the visitors should have controlled, hared up field. Much slipping and sliding ensued but Albion kept heading for the Saints line until Saints No 9 Johnny Howard was spotted either pulling an opponent back without the ball or helping to get the mud out of said chap's ear with his elbow. A rest in the sin bin followed either side of half time.

Saints defence was now being tested but they drove Albion back so effectively that the rest of the half was played with Saints attacking the Plymouth line. One passage of play saw the ball going through several hands and Tom Smith looping round the three quarters more than once to keep the move going. Sadly, it came to naught and half time arrived with Saints leading by just 4 points.

At half time Saints replaced Dylan Hartley (a major force in the Saints pack throughout the first 40 minutes) with Paul Shields.

Another penalty award to Saints after Albion pulled down a maul was missed early on but as soon as Saints were restored to 15 men, they scored. A well founded maul rolled on towards the home try line, the ball came out along the back line, Bruce surged on and fed Neil Starling who slithered in under the radar in the left hand corner. The conversion was missed although Bruce found the kick difficult due to the  mud underfoot and the lack of space between the touch line and the pitch side fence. Still, 5-14 with 10 minutes of the second half gone.

Albion narrowed the gap shortly after with a penalty. Saints then brought on three subs (Well... this is Plymouth!), Tonga'uhia, Tupai and Robinson to replace Smith, Fox and Howard respectively. The fresh power in the pack saw the next scrum disintegrate as Albion buckled and got off side. From the ensuing line out Saints mauled towards the try line. Plymouth looked offside at least twice but Saints were penalised for holding on!

Saints returned to the attack however and the ref's patience finally ran out as an Albion player, who illegally knocked the ball out of Sharky's hands at a ruck, went to visit the bin. Bruce added the 3 points and the lead was extended soon afterwards when Starling scored another try in the corner after strong running from Toops. Bruce missed the conversion and the score remained at 8-22 until no side.

Both packs were slugging out to the end with strong Saints mauling keeping Albion pinned back in their 22. The home side tried to finish with a flourish but dogged defence by Saints kept them well at bay and Albion spent much of the last few minutes attacking along the gain line, rather than over it.

Not a great day for attractive rugby but both teams gave it their best. Although the conditions required a forward battle, some good handling amongst all of the players was on show but the power of the Saints pack at scrum and maul and the solidity of their overall defence meant that the trip to Twickenham for the Trophy Final was secured without too much concern after the initial shock of Ed Lewsey's early try.

Teams:

Plymouth Albion: Saumi, Lewsey, Cruickshanks, Fisilau, Sestaret, Davies, Cane, Davis, Owen, Zimmerman, Stewart, Hayes, Marriott, Stroud, Bornman

Subs: Ritchie, Laidlaw, Denbee, Mathias, Kettle, Lowrie, Evans

Northampton Saints: Reihana, Ansbro, Clarke, Downey, Starling, Spencer, Howard, Smith, Hartley, Stewart, Lord, Rae, Fox, Lewitt, Easter

Subs: Shields, Tonga'uiha, Hoy, Tupai, Robinson, Myler, Diggin

 Pictures Courtesy Mark Hazell & Simon Robinson

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