By Albion Saint
March 12 2008

Albion versus Saints matches are like London busses. You wait for years for a match between your two favourite teams and then you get three in one season. For those of you who have been to West Country matches before, you will know the warm welcome that will awaits you. If this is the first time that you have been that way, expect a cracking day out.

Plymouth Albion V Northampton Saints

EDF Energy Trophy Semi-Final

Brickfields – Saturday, 15^th March – 3pm

MATCH PREVIEW

 
Albion versus Saints matches are like London busses.  You wait for years for a match between your two favourite teams and then you get three in one season.  For those of you who have been to West Country matches before, you will know the warm welcome that will awaits you.  If this is the first time that you have been that way, expect a cracking day out.

This is Saints first attempt at the EDF Trophy, yet our opponents have been there before.  They were narrowly defeated by Bedford Blues in the 2006 final, 14-13 in what was then the Powergen Shield final.  And that is what is at stake on Saturday. A place in the final and a day trip to Twickenham, Rugby Unions HQ. 

Both teams come into this match with a dip in form.  Albion have been struggling in the league since the Christmas break and Saints made hard work despatching Pertemps Bees in their last league encounter at Sharman’s Cross.  However, in the cup both teams have been performing well.  There are conspiracy theories that Saints have been given a tough route thus far, with all their games being played away from home, yet this is the first home fixture for Albion in this competition as well.

Who are to be the Saintsmen to take to the field?  Will Chris Ashton be fully recovered from the knock he picked up at Bedford?  Will Jim still be using squad rotation as the next game could see Saints promoted if they beat Exeter? Questions, questions.  My personal feeling and my uneducated guess will be:

1  Tom Smith

2  Dylan Hartley

3  Barry Stewart

4  Alex Rae

5  Matt Lord

6  Paul Tupai

7  Darren Fox

8  Mark Hopley

9  Johnny Howard

10  Carlos Spencer

11 Paul Diggin

12  James Downey

13  Jon Clarke

14 Chris Ashton

15  Bruce Reihana

I won’t try to guess the Albion side as I can’t find my programme from the Albion Coventry game but local press reports say that Kyle Marriot could be the new boy in the back row and Adam Kettle will be back in action after a one match suspension by the club for a build up of yellow cards.  It will be interesting to see if Adam and Toops swap business cards at any point of Saturdays match.

The last time these two sides met at Brickfields was a joy to watch.  Albion did their best to keep Saints at bay but never looked to put too many points on the board.  After sixty minutes King Carlos gave a master class in deception and trickery only seen in places like Hogwarts.  As Albion felt the non stop pressure of the Saints squad, the points started to rack up.  So can Albion soak up all the pressure this time round?  With the current weather conditions the pitch will be heavy under foot and it will be a tough, tense up front battle.  The weather forecast for Saturday is glorious Devon liquid sunshine.  So wrap up warm, bring your welllies and waterproofs and cheer your favourite team to twickers, whoever that side may be.

Pop into the Ryearch Marquee and meet the regulars of the Albion Sportsnetwork site and visit a few of the local hostelries.  Usually after this is posted a few people will say ”What a good read”. As this has been rushed, instead, I would like you to recommend the bars and hotels that you visited last time.  For me it was; Kitties, Ryearch, The Thistle Park Tavern, the Carpenters Arms at Metherel and Hotel Mum.  This time I hope to get to the Millbridge and the Dolphin.

Albion Saint

EDF Trophy Semi-Final Preview: Albion vs Saints

Discussion started by ComeOnYouSaints.com , 12/03/2008 17:22

ComeOnYouSaints.com
12/03/2008 17:22

EDF Trophy Semi-Final Preview: Albion vs Saints

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Phil.
12/03/2008 17:27

Many thanks, Nigel.

I didn't realise that Albion had been away from home every round before this one!

"It's not the despair, Saints, I can take the despair. It's the hope I can't stand."

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Saint Tim
12/03/2008 17:38

Did better at Sharmans Cross Road than we did last week!



“Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one.”

Benjamin Franklin

Tetleys Block F E143

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Howlin
12/03/2008 17:53

I recommend the pub behind the hotel St Marlowe and Nobby were staying in. I can't remember the name of either so perhaps someone else can ellaborate. Great pub tho !!

Saint til I die

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St Francis
12/03/2008 19:36

The hotel was the Holiday Inn (we're there again on Saturday night, no imagination). Having the boy with me meant we didn't do any pubs, I'm afraid...

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Flinstone Saint
12/03/2008 19:48

Still a good read, AS. I can also recommend the pub behind the Holiday Inn.......and, yes, we are staying there again! Might venture down to the Barbican area this time just to ring the changes.

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Jazzman
12/03/2008 20:00

Quote:

Howlin said
I can't remember the name of either so perhaps someone else can ellaborate.

Well one of them is called David if that helps.

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eb13saint
12/03/2008 20:00

Great preview - really looking forward to this weekend. Got Friday off work so I can have a leisurely trip down to Plymouth. My poor parents are leaving Northampton at 5pm...I'll be seeing them at breakfast then!

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Albion Saint
12/03/2008 21:05

The pub by the Holiday Inn is the Yard Arm. Good pub.
Albion Saint

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ianbol
12/03/2008 21:37

A very readable and humourous preview Albion Saint.

Look forward to meeting you again.

Either which way your'e a winner. (Sm127)

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Howlin
13/03/2008 00:10

Ah yes the Yard Arm. I recommend this pub. Real ale, good food, pleasant surroundings and, if our visit is anything to go by, live music.

Shame it has taken so many posts to arrive at this conclusion. And so far the only recommendation made. Surely someone has another idea ??

Saint til I die

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Stockers
13/03/2008 09:24

Have a mooch round the Barbican. There are plenty of pubs and restaurants around Sutton Harbour.

Last time we eat at the Quayside which was very good and very reasoanble.

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RedSaint
13/03/2008 09:34

I can't recommend any bars in Plymouth, and I won't be going to any, either.

Maybe this is why I can't share AlbionSaint's enthusiasm for this game. In fact, to be honest, I can't ever see myself getting excited about a game against Plymouth, least of all in this competition. I still want the Saints to win, but that's about it.

I can't wait for the longest pre-season since 1945 to be over, but that's still another 6 months off yet...

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StDick
13/03/2008 13:16

Check out the spooky 3 - 3 - 8 symmetry in the Points Against column for both teams. Anyone for a tied game at full-time?

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Tansy
13/03/2008 15:42

I can recommend 'The Albion', which has recently been refurbished and is 5 minutes walk from the ground.

For much later, why not try Annabel's on the Barbican, a Club for the more mature crowd!

[www.annabelscabaret.co.uk]

To say that we (Albion) have had a pretty dismal start to the year would be an understatement but if the underdogs in the 'poofball' FA Cup can do it then maybe we have half a chance?

On reflection, naah, it's not going to happen but at least we get to see how real rugby is played!

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St.Rich Joe, Niamh and Sam's Dad
13/03/2008 19:52

Well done Nige, unlike the miserable muscovy I'm very jealous I can't go especially as it's a trip we'd always planned to make. I'd also be quite pleased to see your team announced. Still at least you won't be able to tell me any sailing stories! I miss Dan Luger!

No alcohol for January. I'm a dryathlete in aid of cancer research.

Dryathlon

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Albion Saint
13/03/2008 20:14

Dan Luger - kitchen Door!
Albion Saint

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