Plymouth Albion hosting unbeaten National League One leaders Rams

Back to reality with a bump it seems, when our winning streak came to an abrupt end as Albion lost to Sedgley Park last Saturday. There is no questioning the physical battle the Tigers put up, something that we may just be lacking a little this season so far.

We started off strong, leading 15-14 at half-time, but after the break the Tigers came out from the changing rooms roaring (excuse the pun!), eventually taking the full five points over our boys in yellow with the match finishing 41-26. Our lads did not come back empty handed, though, bringing home that all important losing bonus point.

We still sit fifth in National League One and are facing our biggest challenge yet when we welcome Rams to Brickfields on Saturday. Rams have so far been on unbelievable form this season, currently yet to lose. Can we change that this weekend?

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Off the field, and as we head into half-term next week, we open our doors to the camps once again. There are still a few places on Monday through Wednesday and on our Train like a Pro and Kicking Masterclasses, so if you would like to get your children involved, please get in touch. Alternatively, you can show up at the ground from 8.30am and book on if you are after some last minute childcare.

Turning a bit more to history and more recently we have seen the return of ‘Fugee’s Throwback’ and I just thought I would share this one with you to remember some old names from the club.

"Saturday September 5th and our opening Home Fixture versus London Welsh, the fixture would see the return of Flanker Kevin Norris, who missed the whole of last Season after severing an Achilles Tendon playing Badminton.

Nick Leonard is also happily restored to the centre after sustaining a serious pelvic injury at Wakefield early in last season’s campaign. Nick’s return will considerably strengthen the three-quarters, while the arrival from Devonport Services of Bob Penfold will add to the selectors' options on the wing. On the downside, the loss through injury of Devon loose head prop, Chris Hocking, is a major blow.

"The Liskeard farmer who has already had one operation on his knee ligaments damage is due to see a specialist and may need a further operation. Meanwhile, Tamerton Foliot publican Gary Lovell joins Ian Harrison in the second row. The visitors are captained by international scrum-half Mark Douglas.

"London Welsh, who play in a league above Albion, looked exactly that in the first 40 minutes, their dominance up front was evident in the eighth minute when flanker Jeremy Evans was forced over Albion’s try line to open the scoring. The try was converted by fly-half Paul Turner, and seven minutes later half back partner Douglas powered over in the opposite corner.

"It took Albion 50 minutes to get going, but the wait was worth it. Wing Steve Walklin won the race to touch down first in the 52nd minute, then flanker Kevin Norris charged over from a well-worked short penalty in the 70th minute and Kevin Turton nipped in late on in the far corner.

"Meanwhile the visitors had scored two tries of their own, through wing Richard Wintle in the 47th minute and 10 minutes later second row Glyn Williams crossed for an unconverted try, leaving the final score Albion 14 London Welsh 26.

"Albion XV. 15.John Butcher, 14. Steve Walklin, 13.Kevin Turton,12.Nick Leonard, 11. Ray Westlake (Capt),10. Graham Kerr, 9. Bruce Fairgrieve, 8. Ian Russell, 7. Kevin Norris, 6. Mark Hewitt. 5. Gary Lovell, 4. Ian Harrison, 3. Barry Howarth, 2. Bruce Priday, 1. Nigel Saunders."