By Flanker 7
November 16 2014

With confidence for supporters and players being a little low, we saw a very inspired performance from the home side. This result could be the turning point of the season with belief that the ‘W’ is only around the corner. There was a large contingent of supporters from Worcester who made themselves heard throughout the game, located in the main Grandstand and the Redrow alike.

Rayner kicked off with Albion playing into the main clubhouse end, and very early into the game Warriors were awarded a penalty with former Exeter Chief Ignacio Mieres missing what looked like a very kickable three points.

What was very apparent was the renewed spirit of the home team - in the first quarter of the game players were making some huge tackles and not letting Worcester settle into any type of pattern.

After Albion conceded a penalty Worcester chose to kick into Albion’s 22, which lead to Worcester taking the lead. From the five metre lineout Warriors captain GJ van Velze took the ball and strangely just seemed to walk over the line. The conversion was also missed by Ignacio Mieres - to the groans of Warrior support nearby; Albion 0 -  5 Worcester.

That score seemed to lift the Warriors and within six minutes they had recorded their second try, once again from a lineout. Warriors set up a maul and drove over the Albion line, ex-Pirate Sam Betty getting the final touch. This time the conversion was successful; Albion 0 - 12 Worcester.

With Warriors having far more possession and territory now, they went in search of another quick score, and were so nearly rewarded when Albion were adjudged to have just held up another drive for the line. Now rampant, their third try did come after some more effective lineout work. They attacked from the right, quickly switched the ball left where an overlap allowed van Velze into the corner again. Once again, Mieres missed the conversion; Albion 0 - 17 Worcester.

There was a real intensity to the play and Albion suffered some early casualties with Toby Howley- Berridge going off with what looked like a painful shoulder injury, and fullback Marc Koteczky exiting after worrying interlude motionless on the deck. This was after a long spell of Eoghan Grace covering an early blood injury to Rob Langley.

As the half came to a close, Albion could have got themselves back into the contest. Warriors lost a lineout, Sam Simmonds picked up the loose ball and ran the length of the field only to be tackled just short of the line. Albion quickly recycled the ball and had a great chance of a try with an overlap on the left. The opportunity went begging. However, the referee did give Albion a penalty chance which was sadly missed by Lawrence Rayner. So the scoreline was unchanged as the teams went in at half time.

Albion once again were very fired up after the interval and within five minutes were on the scoreboard, Albion managed to turn Worcester over in the scrum in their 22, and eventually an opportunity came to Simmonds who dived over. Rayner converted this time to bring the score to Albion 7 - 17 Worcester. As quickly as Albion appeared to have a foothold in the game, Worcester came storming back. Albion lock Tom Jubb was sin-binned and from the resulting penalty Worcester gained a lineout, but were penalised for obstruction and the advantage came to nothing.

With 14 men Albion really took the game to the ex-premiership outfit, and it was surprising to see Albion reduce Worcester’s lead further with a Rayner penalty after a really good spell of Albion pressure; Albion 10 – 17 Worcester.

Warriors started making changes from the bench - the significant one when Ryan Lamb came on. He managed the game better at 10 than Mieres, getting Worcester back on the front foot. On 65 minutes, to the relief of many Worcester supporters the decisive fourth try came after good work set up an opportunity for Tom Biggs (ex-Bath, with a lot shorter hair) to squeeze over in the corner. The resultant conversion was missed by Lamb; Albion 10 - 22 Worcester.

To Albion’s credit they threw everything at Worcester whose defence withstood every attack; penalty after penalty came and the visitors lost a player to the sin-bin. Albion were now camping in the Worcester 22 until eventually they were penalised and the visitors cleared their lines.

That was that to the relief of the Worcester support, many of whom I spoke with couldn’t understand how Albion are where they are in the league. The final result was another hard earned 5 points to Worcester; great entertainment and a very competitive game of rugby. But I really felt for our boys today as their efforts trying to win were immense. We move on to Yorkshire Carnegie at Headingley this Friday in search of the elusive first win.

Final Score: Albion 10 – 22 Worcester Warriors.

Match Report: PARFC 10 - 22 Worcester Warriors(C'ship)

Discussion started by Unofficial Plymouth Albion (IP Logged), 16/11/2014 14:24

Unofficial Plymouth Albion
16/11/2014 14:24

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hills22
16/11/2014 21:47

Good effort by Albion in this one. Hope the side can take heart from the performance.

A good atmosphere in the clubhouse before the game for the England match. A chorus of Swing Low was sung - good stuff.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014:11:16:21:51:29 by hills22.

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albion supporter
17/11/2014 18:01

look the players must read this web site so here is my two pennys worth.
sat they showed true grit we were never going to win but we pushed the opposition all the way,well done. however look at the replay woss never looked like droping the ball the passes were allways to hand we should try and copy thier display.play like that and i can see the light at the end off the tunnel.

come on albion much more like it!

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