By Igwok
November 22 2012

Albion take on Bristol in a mid-table clash - an opportunity for Albion to pull away or a chance for Bristol to turn the table over? 

V

Plymouth v Bristol

Saturday 24th November

KO 3pm

This weekend’s fixtures could have the effect of turning the middle part of the table upside down with just 3 points separating Albion in 5^th and Bristol in 8^th.

Since their return to the Championship, Bristol have been somewhat inconsistent from season to season and this season has seen a poor start – particularly at away fixtures where they have only triumphed against bottom club, Doncaster and, more recently, suffered an ignominious mauling at the hands of Nottingham. This is not to say that they are unable to pull out a surprise here and there having come out on top against Pirates and (then) second placed Bedford.

To date, in the Championship this season, both Bristol and Albion have chalked up 23 tries apiece with, not unsurprisingly, two-thirds being scored at home fixtures. Centre Luke Eves holds the honour of being Bristol’s leading try scorer with 4, and whilst the backs have scored the majority of the tries, 14 players have crossed the line, soAlbionmay find it difficult to isolate the threat.

Defensively there is not much in it with conceding 25 tries overall to Albion’s 26 with the back line being particularly leaky in both cases, but again home advantage swings this Albion’s way. However, Bristol are far more prone to conceding kickable penalties.

Of greater note isBristol’s propensity to score in the second half – with Albion preferring to chalk up the points in the first half this could lead to yet another nail biter for the home support.

Albion may be ruing the loss of Carpenter and Beukeboom but Bristol will be without their big back-row Samoan signing Alafoti Faosiliva, as well as Scottish prop Kyle Traynor.

Bristol have had a number of players coming back from injury of late. with their latest victory over Jersey and the two week break, they will be looking to have worked on their deficiencies and be able to improve their match day performance.

Discipline-wise Albion have a far better record with just 3 yellow cards to Bristol’s 5, but have similar records for drawing cards against the opposition.  

One to watch: the Argentian Lock Mariano Sambucetti who not only impressed against Jersey last weekend but has a reputation for a fiery temperament. Albion need to be wary of this and not get drawn into a confrontation.

Weather forecast – Rain with strong breeze, 11°C

Prediction – with the dodgy weather and erratic Bristol performance of late this could go either way. The form book has Albion on top and if they play an 80 minute game it should go Albion’s way. 28-17.

Spy in the Camp - Bristol

Discussion started by Unofficial Plymouth Albion (IP Logged), 22/11/2012 19:12

Unofficial Plymouth Albion
22/11/2012 19:12

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noibla
22/11/2012 19:42

Very concise and imformative report Igwok and I like you predicted end score, well done.



Semper Sersum.

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ianbol
22/11/2012 22:55

A good one, Igwok.

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