By Frank Stormont
April 8 2006

A look at the opposition as we travel to Truro. With one game a piece this season and the 3rd place in the league still up for grabs this local derby will be a match not to miss.  

Since they narrowly beat us on Boxing Day they have only a 50% success, in ten matches they have only won five. They only have a 56% conversion rate of tries for the season and are reliant on just two kickers "Tommy B" Tom Barlow and "Jaru" Lee Jarvis.

Most will remember where Tommy  has played but as well as Albion he has also represented his country, England, at U16, U18 and Counties level.  Tommy has not played since he sustained a muscle strain in the 25th minute against Sedgley Park a match when they went on to loose 21 to 31.

Their last match was a messy game with two yellows and a red. With Pirates being a man up for most of the match they still only managed to win 13 to 7.  Lee Jarvis was on kicking duty and only kicked one from four attempts. Against Quins he managed exactly the same one from four.  I don't know too much about the wind conditions but just two kicks from at least 8 opportunities is not good in anybodies books.

Winger Richard Welding is Pirates top try scorer this season with 16 tries from 23 appearances but he has not scored for over a month now.  Kevin James, another winger, has scored 12 of the Pirates this season, two off his 14 tries total for last season, but has also failed to score for a month.

Pirates have scored just 13 tries in the last 8 games seven to their backs and 6 to forwards. Albion backs over the same period have scored 13 tries with another 11 added by the forwards.

This is a must win match if we are going to stand any chance of getting to 3rd place by the end of the season.  On recent performance it is game that we should win and probably by more than the three points I predicted in the race to third place.  It is a match that still needs to be played and still needs to be won and will depend on the day as who is in both teams. 

A strong kicker on either side will be a great advantage.  Ed Barnes' kicking ability has returned over the past weeks with a great performance against Welsh but then there is Nick Defty who is also performing well with the boot.  Graham will have a very difficult task picking the best 22 for the trip to Truro with so many in the squad to choose from in many of the positions.

If you are travelling independently there is no parking at the ground  park and ride facilities are available see Pirates website.

If you want to use one of the travel club coaches please book soon to avoid disappointment. Check details.

 

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