The stage was set for a rugby showdown under the soft drizzle at Brickfields, with the festive season setting a perfect backdrop for what promised to be a thrilling encounter.

Albion, fresh off some impressive wins, were hungry for revenge after an early-season loss to Dings Crusaders on the road. But with Dings always unpredictable, often fielding a mix of Bristol Bears Premiership players, this was never going to be an easy game. Nonetheless, the atmosphere felt electric from the moment the gates opened.

It was clear from the outset that Albion had something special in store. The home crowd of 1,115 fans made their way into the ground with festive cheer, filling the air with Christmas spirit. The Stormforce marquee was alive with music, and the fans joined in raucously as the sounds of 12 Days of Christmas filled the air. The energy in the stands was infectious, as if the whole of Plymouth had gathered for a celebration, with food, drink, and entertainment setting the tone for what was to come.

READ MORE: Mitch Beardmore scores six in Plymouth Parkway win

READ MORE: Cosy pub near Plymouth 'needing love' reopens after fab revamp

Inside the changing rooms, the Albion players were already in the zone. The arrival of the coaching team – Jamie Salter, Aaron Jarvis, and Ryan Lamb – was met with a focus that suggested this would not be a day for distractions. Ryan Lamb’s pre-match message was clear: “Focus on us and us only, finish the play, and limit unforced errors.” New signing Paul Brown-Bampoe from Exeter Chiefs, already causing a stir, was also getting to know the fans, warmly meeting them as he entered the changing rooms. His presence had added an extra layer of excitement to an already charged atmosphere.

As the players finished their warm-ups, fans gathered in anticipation, and for a brief moment, the ground fell silent. But then, the Albion boys charged out from the changing rooms, and the noise from the stands was deafening. As always, Albion came out of the blocks fast, eager to set the tone.

From the first whistle, it was clear that Albion had their game face on. The home side made an immediate impact, with early forays into Dings territory, courtesy of some strong runs from Tom Putt, Jenson Boughton, and Craig Duncan. Dings, despite their talent, struggled to make any headway in the early stages as Albion's forwards, led by Dan Pullinger and Herbie Stupple, put in the hard yards. Albion's dominance was most noticeable in the tackle, where they finished the game with a remarkable 96 total tackles at a success rate of 93%.

It wasn’t long before Albion made their first strike. A well-executed lineout – Albion’s 92% success rate on 11 attempts throughout the game was a testament to their preparation – set the platform for an attack that put Dings on the back foot. The ball was shifted quickly, and a clever break by Craig Duncan down the wing sent the crowd into a frenzy. Duncan, with his trademark pace, made it past two defenders, drawing them in before passing to the ever-dangerous Morgan Stone, who crashed over the line for the opening try. A rare miss from Tom Putt on the conversion didn’t dampen spirits; Albion had the first points, 5-0.

Dings had an early chance to respond with a penalty, closing the gap to 5-3, but Albion quickly snuffed out any hopes of a comeback. A perfectly timed kick from Tom found Duncan again, who, using his blistering pace, sliced through Dings’ defence to score his first try of the match. Putt’s conversion made it 12-3, and the tone was firmly set for the remainder of the game.

Albion’s dominance didn’t just come from their attacking flair but also from their relentless physicality. Every scrum was won with ease, and it was clear that the home team had both the mental and physical edge over their visitors. Dan Pullinger, Jake Bond, and Joel Broadhurst were constant disruptors, while Jago Sheppard was a pest on defence, ensuring Dings couldn’t build any momentum. It wasn’t long before Albion had the visitors pinned deep in their own half, and after a series of strong carries, the ball found its way to the rampaging Paul Brown-Bampoe. The Exeter Chiefs loanee demonstrated his power, bulldozing through two Dings defenders like they weren’t even there. The ball was quickly recycled, and Jake Bond was there to crash over for Albion’s third try. Albion led 17-3 at halftime.

The break came and went, but the mood in the changing room was calm, focused, and determined. The players knew they were on top, but they also knew they couldn’t afford to take the foot off the gas—something they had been guilty of in previous games. But there was something different about this day. Whether it was the festive atmosphere, the mulled cider in the air, or the realization that the team had found something special, Albion were ready to close out the game.

The second half kicked off, and Albion’s intensity didn’t dip. A huge hit from Jake Bond forced a turnover, and Ben Moa’s quick thinking saw him kick the ball ahead, allowing Craig Duncan to sprint through a sea of defenders to score his second try. As the rain continued to fall, the home crowd was treated to more attacking brilliance, as Albion continued to dominate at every level.

Albion’s attack continued to thrive, with a total of 299 attacking efforts throughout the match, a remarkable statistic that illustrated their complete dominance. Another high kick from Jake Bond caused a stir among the local seagulls, but when the ball came back down, Craig Duncan was in the right place at the right time. A deft fingertip touch saw him latch onto the ball and, with a burst of speed, finish off his hat-trick. Putt slotted the conversion to make it 31-3.

Dings had no response. They had been outplayed in every aspect of the game, and by the final whistle, Albion had secured a resounding 31-3 victory. The crowd erupted as the final whistle blew, and players were quick to show their appreciation to the supporters who had backed them all season. Craig Duncan, undoubtedly the star of the match, was named Player of the Match for his hat-trick and his all-round performance on the wing.

The victory marked the end of 2024 for Albion, who now sit in 6th place, just two points behind 5th-place Blackheath and three points behind 4th-place Rosslyn Park. With three consecutive wins, the team heads into the Christmas break in great spirits, knowing they have the momentum to carry them into the New Year.

The players spent the next 45 minutes mingling with fans, taking photos, and soaking up the adulation from the 1115-strong crowd who had turned out to show their support. As the rain settled and the festive cheers rang out, it was clear: Albion had ended 2024 in style.

Looking ahead to 2025, Albion will travel to Leicester Lions on January 11th, followed by a home fixture against Bishop’s Stortford on January 18th. Two more wins are within reach, and with a performance like today’s, who would bet against them?

From all of us at Albion, we wish you a Merry Christmas and look forward to seeing you in the New Year for more action-packed rugby at Brickfields!