By Frank Stormont
April 4 2007

Local derby match at Brickfields lets Albion plan for revenge over Pirates in the recent EDF Energey National Trophy simi final.  

Spy in the Camp Pirates

7th April 3pm K.O.

@ Brickfields

Wednesday night saw Pirates travel to Bedford, the only remaining away match we need to make in two weeks time. They  were down 26 - 10 at half time went down even further in the second half to 41 - 10 and not even coming away with a bonus point. James Pritchard played an important part in Bedford win which takes them into 6th place ahead of Exeter.

Pirates are only one point in front of Albion and we have a match in hand.  This Saturday will be a grudge match with both sides wanting the win.  This season both sides have had taken one match each.

Last season Pirates won both league matches and Albion won the National trophy match.  Will this season be the exact opposite?

Pirates recent form has not been good with only one point from the last two matches. Whilst the have fielded a weaker side than against us at Camborne with players out of position.  The big question is what squad will they put out for Saturday.

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Last meetings

24 March 07 (EDF Energy Nat Trophy)
Cornish Pirates 17
Plymouth Albion 9

Attendance: = 2961

Albion players travel to Camborne in their own cars and have to to ravel home disappointed after two drop goals from Pirates take any chance of a trip to Twickenham away from them.

With Richard Oxley failing a late fitness test due to food poisoning Graham Dawe comes onto the bench.

Albion went into the turn around only two points down (8 –6) and played well in the second half.

The boot proved important in the match with only a single try scored by Pirates.

This is ... Report

Opponents Report

Team: Nat Saumi, Wihan Neethling, Regardt van Eyk, Keni Fisilau, Nic Sestaret, Ed Barnes, Ed Lewsey, Tim Mathias, James Owen, Scott Zimmerman, Ben Gulliver, Tom Hayes, Federico Genoud, Danny Thomas, Chris Lowrie Replacements: Tom Arscott(used), Arran Cruickshanks(used), Matt Newman, Graham Dawe, Gareth Evans, Brett Stroud, Mike Lewis

Scorers :- Penalties 3x Regardt van Eyk

 

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23 December 06
Cornish Pirates 13
Plymouth Albion 26

Attendance: = 5380

Albion did not get the possession in the first half and spend more than half the time in their own 22 and their defence was second to none.

When Albion did get into the Pirates 22 they took full advantage and went into the turn around 0-13 ahead.

On returning Albion were unchanged and gave Nic Sestaret his 15th try of the season. Pirates come back with 2 penalties but Albion take one back.

With 5 minutes to play Pirates go over in the corner for a converted try.

Albion hold out and finish the match on a high and claim the all important win against league contenders Cornish Pirates

More ...

This is ... Report

Opponents Report

Team: Nat Saumi, Tom Arscott, Regardt van Eyk, Keni Fisilau, Nic Sestaret, Ed Barnes, Ed Lewsey, Martin Rice, Richard Oxley, Scott Zimmerman, Colin Stewart, Tom Hayes, Federico Genoud, Danny Thomas, Chris Lowrie Replacements: Nigel Cane(used), David Delaney, Arran Cruickshanks, Brett Stroud(used), Francisco Deformes(used), Tim Mathias(used), James Owen(used)

Scorers :- Tries 2x Nic Sestaret Penalties 4x Regardt van Eyk

 

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Tables

Top Try scorers in league

 

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Predictions

Rugby Round up

Albion get the chance to avenge their National Trophy defeat in this South West derby at The Brickfields. Albion’s Nic Sestaret is in fine form, scoring five tries in last week’s thrashing of Moseley. 

The Pirates have a long injury list and travelled to Bedford in midweek. Albion should be able to gain revenge for their cup defeat with a twelve point win.

Frank

To a large extent the outcome of this match will depend on the players that are selected to play for both sides. Albion are still hurting from the lose at Camborne two weeks ago and will be looking for revenge and will have the extra player of the crowd behind them.  It will be a tough hard match and is likely to close. I give it to the home team 27 - 20.

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Other important matches this weekend

With four of the top 5 clubs playing against each other changes at the top are very possible.

Leeds take on Otley should be a certain win for Leeds.

Titans and Doncaster (2nd and 3rd) play each other which must be a close call but I have Donny a narrow win by 7 or less points.

And of course 4th plays 5th takes place at Brickfields

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Visiting fans

Tickets are selling fast and grandstand may not be available on the gate: 

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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Albion issues

Just as we start to see the return to the field of injured players we get more going onto the physio's table.

Federico Genoud has problems with his hand and will be out for the remainder of the season. Lets hope that for him that he will be fit to play for Argentina, if selected, in the World this September.

Tom Arscott has been suffering and was down a fair amount of time in last Saturdays fixture. Lets hope that he is fit to take on Pirates. I am sure he will be eager to play as he only had minutes on the pitch at Camborne.

Wihan Neethling failed a late fitness test last Saturday, which took him out of the match against Moseley but will hopeful of a return to match fitness.  He will have a job knocking Nat Saumi out of the 15 slot Nat's bulk and experience have done the team well in defence over the last few months.

 

Franks team: Nat Saumi, Wihan Neethling, Regardt van Eyk, Keni Fisilau, Nic Sestaret, Ed Barnes, Ed Lewsey, Tim Matias, Richard Oxley, Scott Zimmerman, Ben Gulliver, Tom Hayes, Brett Stroud, Danny Thomas, Chris Lowrie Replacements: Mat Newman, Arran Cruickshanks, Tom Arscott, Gareth Evans, James Owen, Mike Lewis, Dan Smith

 

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Warriors

Next match planned for the Warriors is at Brickfields 6:15 KO against Launceston. Last weeks planned match against London Welsh was cancelled due to lack of props.

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Ladies

The Ladies had no match last weekend and are free this weekend too.

Georgina Rozario has been confirmed a place in the European Championships which start at the end of this month.