College rules? Not today!

By A Nomad
December 20 2015

This was an outstanding result; it was certainly against the form book. The College were unbeaten at home this season and only last week had beaten league leaders Richmond away. The score may suggest that this was a close fought match. Be in no doubt Albion were the better team and worthy winners. The team has come of age and are now capable of more than holding their own against any team in this league. The spirit in the team is fantastic, everyone giving of their all and prepared to put their heads where it hurts. The joy at the final whistle was a sight to behold. They are a good team with the promise of becoming a very good team.

The weather was not as foreboding as forecast. There was a very strong wind blowing across the pitch, the stand and buildings providing a wind break, with a hint of rain in the air which I am glad to report did not materialise. Albion lost the toss and kicked off with the stand on their left. 

Exchanges were fairly equal for the first 20 minutes or so, but Albion had the upper hand and the students never threatened our line. Against the run of play the College left wing, a powerfully built Lithuanian international, gathered an Albion kick and was able to avoid the onrushing attackers to give his team a foot hold in Albion’s half - virtually for the first time. Following a line out on the right, they moved the ball back across the pitch and created an overlap which enabled the full back to score in the corner; Hartpury 5 - 0 PARFC.

It was not long before Albion scored an excellent try of their own. They had a line out on the right and moved the ball swiftly across the back line to create their own overlap for our winger Harrison Cully to score. An excellent conversion by Billy Searle gave Albion the lead; Hartpury 5 - 7 PARFC.

Albion’s discipline had been good, but a penalty conceded set up an attacking line out on the 5 metre line for the College. Due to the strong wind virtually all kicks were towards the far touch line.  The catch and drive was unstoppable so the College regained the lead; Hartpury 10 - 7 Albion.

At this stage Albion were playing well with very few errors, but the College have belief in their organisation which has enabled them to win a number of close contests. Even so, the score line was somewhat against the run of play. We had expected the match to be tough and so it was proving.

Towards the end of the half Albion put a kick deep into the College half. We stole the ball at the resultant line-out and both centres came close to scoring, but it was Herbie Stupple who crossed the line to score yet again. Billy Searle was able to make the conversion in spite of the strong wind;  Hartpury 10 – 14 PARFC Albion - andthat remained the score at half time.

 From the start of the second half Albion dominated play, pinning the College back in their own half.  The pressure eventually told and  Billy Searle was able to kick a penalty from about the 10 metre line. His kicking in difficult conditions throughout was a factor in Albion’s win; Hartpury 10 - 17 PARFC.

Then came a really outstanding try. A turnover by Sam Matavesi enabled him to put Nile Dacres away who made good ground before unloading to Mark Koteczky who surged forward before unloading the ball to the supporting players. Eventually it was Ed Holmes who was able to touch down; a great example of forwards and backs combining to really good effect. Billy Searle, kicking into wind with the ‘wrong’ foot out on the left could not make the conversion; Hartpury 10 – 17 PARFC.

Hartpury with the confidence of their form this season came back at Albion and ran the ball at every opportunity, but Albion’s defence was immense - as it had been all game. Even if a break was made through the first line of defenders, the second line made sure the attack was stopped.  Eventually they did manage to pierce our defence following a prolonged attack. Rhys Oakley, former Albion player and now captain of Hartpury forced his way over the line score under the posts. An easy conversion followed; Hartpury 17 - 22 Albion.

You will recall the Rhys suffered a fractured leg in our game at Moseley at the end of last season.  It has been a lengthy period of recovery for him; it is only in the last five weeks that he has regained full match fitness. He played well throughout and we are glad to know that he is playing again.

Albion’s defence was put under pressure but stood firm. Towards the end of the game there was a stoppage in play and during this it was noticed that the game clock had stopped showing just over 3 minutes playing time left. In ND 1, the RFU rules stipulate that this should not happen. With no official time keeper it is only the referee who decides how much time is left. The College were upset when the referee blew for ‘No Side’ with the clock showing there was still over a minute left to play. This had given their team the false hope that there was still time enough for them to snatch a win out of the jaws of defeat. It would have been a travesty if that had happened.

This was an excellent early Christmas present for the travelling faithful, which probably numbered close to a hundred. Those travelling with ‘Albi’ were in the Christmas spirit even before the kick-off with many in ‘Christmas’ attire.

After the game I spoke to a College supporter who had watched them for the past four seasons. In his opinion Albion have been the best team the College have faced at home in that period of time.

The last comment was made by the referee who had officiated at our home game against Darlington. He was of the opinion that Albion made far fewer mistakes this time and their defence was much faster than that of the College. 

So we may not be promotion contenders, but in the second half of the season we will certainly have a major influence on who wins promotion on 30 April. Our last match is against current league leaders away at Richmond. Roll on the match at Rosslyn Park on 2nd January! (KO: 15.00)

As the light fades, Albion fans get ready to greet the victors (M Coles)

Match Report: Hartpury College 17 - 22 PARFC (Nat 1)

Discussion started by Unofficial Plymouth Albion (IP Logged), 21/12/2015 00:22

Unofficial Plymouth Albion
21/12/2015 00:22

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noibla
21/12/2015 11:31

Thanks for that lads, love the photo of the faithful

Semper Sersum.

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North End Rambler
21/12/2015 16:09

The 'unfaithful' probably kept themselves carefully out of shot in the bar drinking their favourite toast: 'Our wives and girlfriends - may they never meet'.

The photograph (if it was taken) which would sum up the match beautifully would have been the giant 'Christmas cake' of Albion players leaping onto each other in the most jubilant final whistle hug ever seen, surrounded by Hartpury players on their knees. The highs and lows of the great game of rugby in one image.

For Albion a sweet victory after a hard fought match.

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Albion Info
21/12/2015 16:41

NER, a little bit like this one? From our friends at Pinnacle

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North End Rambler
21/12/2015 17:31

Well done Pinnacle, the celebration cake is building up nicely. I suspect good sportsmanship cropped out the widespread desolation and exhaustion of red and black.

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stonehousealbion
21/12/2015 22:40

Agreed, NER.

The "WTF?!" look on faces and bodies of the Hartpury players was what stuck with me. OK, the confusion about the clock was one thing (I was a bit flummoxed), but we had just broken Rule 1 of playing at HC: "Home side always wins". And Rule 2, "If the visitors are ahead in the last five, see Rule 1."

Having bookended the first 15 games with victories like we did, we just have to work on ironing out the glitches in the middle - particularly the Esher result. The return at Molesey Road is probably the one I'm looking forward to most.

Am still wandering around humming, "Zippidee doo-dah, zippidee ayy. My, oh my, what a wonderful day!"

Come cheer up, my lads - 'tis to glory we steer!

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