By Frank Stormont
January 26 2007

A look forward at the weekend and wher our teams are. What should be the biggest crowd of the season so far. Predictions updated and Exeter team named.  

Spy in the Camp Exeter

Saturday 27th January 2006

at Brickfields K.O. 2:15

Exeter have trying to make a break from the chasing group in the league and have almost overtaken Bedford as they fall away from the leading pack. As a side issue these two teams will meet each other again on the 10th Feb in the EDF Energy National Trophy.

This is not going to be an easy match to win, but it is there for the winning. Exeter have a run of wins behind them with 5 straight successes under their belt they will be looking at doing the double over Albion and have strengthened their side since the last meeting.

Squad named by Chiefs: Ben Breeze, Jason Luff, Mark Fatialofa, Junior fatialofa, Gary Kingdom, Tony Yapp, Kevin Barrett, Dan Parkes, Sam Blythe, Joe Horn-Smith, Ian Brown, Ollie Hodge, Tony Walker, Gary Willis, Richard Baxter. Replacements: Saul Nelson, Jason Hobson, James Hanks, Richard Liddington, Richard Bolt, Wade Kelly, Alan Miller

Dan Parkes is named in the front row to face his old club while two Bristol on loan front row players, Saul Nelson (hooker) and former County Ground favourite, Jason Hobson (prop) are named on the bench.

Tony Yapp tips Wihan for kicks but has less tries so even with Wihan's enforced lack of match time.

Try scorers for both teams (3 or more)

Nic Sestaret sits 2nd in the overall list of try scorers in National League One just three tries behind Jason Forster on Doncaster.

Albion will still be hurting from their loss at Sandy Park and also their last two matches against Leeds and Coventry. Albion know that they have the advantage of home support but the Chiefs will be bring a good contingent.

The hoped return of Wihan to the first team will probably have to be waited for until Albion travel to Birmingham but his focal support will be heard from the side lines. Nat Saumi has been doing well at full back with Regardt having a good record on kicking duties so although Wihan will still be missed the squad will fill in well until he returns.

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Last meetings

7th October 2006

Chiefs 18 Albion 14

A black day for Albion fans as this was their first loss of the season Albion had the lead in the first half but allowed Exeter to come back and take the points.

Albion worked hard in the last quarter but chances did not go their way.

 This is .. report Chiefs report

Team: Wihan Neethling, Ed Lewsey, Regardt van Eyk, Arran Cruickshanks, Nic Sestaret, Ed Barnes, Nigel Cane, Martin Rice, Richard Oxley, Scott Zimmerman, Colin Stewart, Ben Gulliver, Brett Stroud, Danny Thomas, Tom Hayes Reps: David Delaney, Nat Saumi(used), Jon Fabian(used), Tim Mathias(used), James Owen, Federico Genoud(used), Chris Lowrie

Scorers :- Tries Nic Sestaret, Richard Oxley Conversions 2x Wihan Neethling

 

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Last time at Brickfields

Albion 35 Chiefs 13

It is a long time since the Chiefs came to Brickfields back in the first match of the season (3rd Sept 2005).  The match was seen by just short of 4,800 spectators and was the best start to the season that Albion could have hoped for. With 5 tries giving the bonus point Albion went to the top of the table.

The match also saw Albion score the only two drop goals in the league for them to scrum half Mat Albina and fly half Ed Barnes.

Team: Jon Fabian, Nic Sestaret, Keni Fisilau, Luke Arscott, Tom Arscott , Ed Barnes , Mat Albina, Martin Rice, Stuart Friswell, Ryan Hopkins, Nic Rouse, Tom Hayes, Martin Schusterman , Danny Thomas (capt), Alfie Tooala . Reps: Brett Luxton(used), Nigel Cane, Scott Zimmerman, Stewart Pearl, Nic Defty(used), (Regardt van Eyk(used), Chris Lowrie(used)
Scorers: Tries: Jon Fabian, Luke Arscott, Nic Sestaret, Keni Fisilau, Tom Hayes. Con: 2x Jon Fabian. Drop Goals: Mat Albina, Ed Barnes.

Report: 

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Recent matches

9th December saw there last loss and that was away to Coventry!

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Tables

With Pirates taking on Doncaster on Sunday the top 5 may see a slight re juggle if Albion and Pirates win well then Albion could see themselves move back to 3rd. Pertemps would have to do something special against Titans for Albion to stand a chance of moving 2nd this weekend.

 

 

 

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Other top team matches this weekend

Other top 5 team matches that might effect the league lead

Saturday

Rotherham[2]  v Pertemp[8] (Rotherham by "24 *15 ^#18 ⁺9)

Sedgley Park[12] v Leeds[1] (Tykes by "30 *14 ^#12 ⁺14)

Sunday

Pirates[5] v Doncaster[3] (pirates by "5 *3 ⁺5 Donny by ^#3)

 

*BetFred prices
⁺Terrace Talk
^#Rugby Roundup
"Franks prediction

 

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Albion Predictions

BetFred 

Albion by 3 points

Albion 4th favourite to win League at 7/1 - the best odds this season if you want to put money on Albion going up

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Terrace Talk

Fourth placed Plymouth Albion entertain seventh placed Exeter Chiefs knowing they must win to try and keep in touch with the leaders. 

Plymouth Albion are looking to stop a two match losing run which has seen them fall seven points of the pace at the top of the National One league table. 

At home they have an unbeaten record with nine wins out of nine. 

The Chiefs are top of the Form Guide with five straight wins which has helped them climb to seventh in the table just three points behind Bedford Blues. 

On the road they have picked up five wins in ten matches. 

When the sides met at Sandy Park earlier in the season it was the Chiefs who won narrowly 18-14. 

Prediction: Albion to win this Devon derby by seven points. 


Rest of League TT

 

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Rugby Round up

Albion have already sold 3,500 tickets for the big Devon derby. The in-form Chiefs will be licking their lips at the chance to put a real dent in Albion’s promotion hopes. The Chiefs have won their last five games and have no pressure on them being out of the promotion hunt. Albion know they have to keep winning to stay in touch at the top. Albion’s perfect home record could go here to a hungry Exeter outfit. 

The Chiefs by three.

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Rugby Times

Albion by 2 points

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Frank's prediction.

Albion 33 Exeter 11

Don't forget you can register your own predictions!

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Visiting fans

Tickets are selling fast and may not be available on the gate: 
Grandstand now sold out!

Advise you book online or via telephone 0870 350 0402 - tickets that are paid for can usually be collected at the gate on match day.

	Ground	Seated grandstand
Adult	£12	£17
Senior	£9	£14
Student	£9	£14
Child	£3	£10

Ground Information

Car park £3

Programme £2

Food/beer
Good selection of hot food such as pasties and curry. Beer at £2 a pint in the Ryearch Village bar upto 30 mins before kick-off.

Please note the Burger bar outside the ground is not part of Plymouth Albion

How to get there

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Click above for the upto date forecast

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Officials

Plymouth Albion vs Exeter Chiefs
Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
Touch judges: Steve Harland, Fred Spong

Other Matches

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Albion matters

Wihan Neethling was hoping to be in the starting line-up against Exeter but it is very unlikely that this will happen but I hope he will be fit for a return to the squad when Albion travel to Birmingham in a weeks time. He has been seen keeping up his kicking practice.

Ben Gulliver is still using his crutches an hopes to have the pin taken out soon but will still not be fit from his training injury for some weeks to come. It is possible that he will be fit for the next big match against Pirates over Easter.

No news on Mike Lewis but be was not playing on Monday for Westcountry Warriors so is unlikely to be fit to take his place on the bench against Exeter.

Sila Va'Enuku had two cracking games last weekend against Waterloo and Bristol and must be knocking on the door for another start in a league match. With the competition for places in the centre we can pick any 2 from 4 at present.

Arran Cruickshanks played on the wing on Monday against Bristol which will gives yet more options and possibilities.

Tom Arscott was left out of the side on Saturday and did not play on Sunday for Devon or Monday for Warriors so must be in doubt. If he is not fit will Jon Fabian take his place in the squad? Jon had reasonable games against Waterloo and Bristol but we will have to wait and see.

With Nigel Cane returning to the starting line-up on Saturday and Monday he may have the edge over Ed Lewsey who may return to the wing to cover Tom Arscott's slot.

2nd row replacement must be between Bryn Jenkins and Ed King both had a good game on Saturday but maybe Ed will pip Bryn to the slot. Harry Spencer who was on call for the squad against Waterloo and played for Devon and Warriors on Sunday and Monday may have an outside chance of a call. 

James Owen has had his first taste of the starting line up and played half a match on Monday. Richard Oxley was at the match on Monday and if fit will probably just take his place back as first choice hooker.

Frank's Team: Nat Saumi, Ed Lewsey, Regardt van Eyk, Keni Fisilau, Nic Sestaret, Nigel Cane, Ed Barnes, Martin Rice, Richard Oxley, Scott Zimmerman, Dan Smith, Tom Hayes, Federico Genoud, Danny Thomas, Chris Lowrie Replacements: Ed King, Dave Delaney,  Tim Mathias, Sila Vaenuku, Brett Stroud, James Owen, Jon Fabian

Winner of last weeks alllbion man of the match voted by you was Chris Lowrie

Westcountry Warriors

The Warriors have been doing well recently and have moved up the Canterbury Shield table to 3rd with their win over Newbury 38 - 39 on the 13th of Jan.

Warriors are playing on the top pitch against Esher at 2:30 on Saturday so if you can't get into the ground why not walk up to the top pitch.

On Monday this week they hosted Bristol United but lost after a late Penalty try was awarded against the Warriors.  

Ladies

The Ladies are still on a high after winning against Saracens II in London last Sunday and although they have League match they will be hosting Exeter Saracens in a development match at 2pm at Brickfields.

Albion move to 5th place after their win after picking up the bonus point for 5 tries. REPORT