Today’s Match report powered by Relationships Plymouth.
Plymouth Albion vs Tonbridge Juddians Match Report:
Off the back of a week-long break, Plymouth Albion welcomed Tonbridge Juddians to
Brickfields, seeking revenge after Tonbridge got the better of the reverse fixture before
Albion embarked on their current winning streak.
Extending that run to 10 games was reliant on another strong home performance, and
the first half was just that. An early Tonbridge penalty put them 0-3 ahead, but the home
team answered just a minute later when Bobby Wigginton stormed over to score. The
kick was converted by Iwan Jenkins and Albion took an 8-3 lead after the opening
exchanges.
From that point they looked secure, despite some moments of slick passing from their
visitors. Joel Broadhurst’s presence from the line-out was imperious, and he set up
Louie Gulley to power over the line in the chaos of a maul after 15 minutes. The missed
conversion left the score at 12-3.
In a hectic end to the half, a penalty try and some excellent pace from Frankie Dart fired
Albion into a 26-3 lead with Jenkins adding the extras, before Tonbridge managed to pull
a try back. TJs kicker Connor Lloyd couldn’t find the posts, and half time arrived with the
hosts ahead by 26-8.
Dart’s try would be Albion’s last of the afternoon, but the defensive work that followed
in the second half was equally as important. Tonbridge came out rejuvenated after the
break and immediately piled the pressure on Albion. They threatened when Iwan
Jenkins’ pass was cut out, but an excellent recovery from Oscar Stewart was enough to
snuff out the danger.
It took 20 minutes for a much-improved Juddians side to break Albion’s resolve, and
Shaydn Osgood would finally cross after sustained pressure. Lloyd’s conversion was
accurate and just moments later, the Tonbridge number 11 Curtis Barnes broke free to
score another and set up a nervy finish.
The visitors pushed hard in the final 10 minutes of the game and tested the
stubbornness of the home side, but they simply couldn’t force it over the line. Jenson
Boughton won a huge penalty with just moments left on the clock, drawing a cheer from
the crowd that was as loud as a try, and the referee’s whistle went with the score 26-20
to Albion. The win extends Plymouth’s winning streak to 10 games on the bounce,
matching last season’s record and keeping pace with league leaders Rotherham.
Nuffield Health Player of the Match Archie Hill spoke after the game. He said:
“Tonbridge chucked the kitchen sink at us for a full 80 which we haven’t really
experienced this year, so it was a good sign that we managed to dig it out.”“We had a big leader in Pulley missing today so it meant other boys had to step up and
people did. We really backed each other up to finish the game with a win and a bonus
point at home for 10 in a row.”
Next up for Albion is a trip to the midlands, where they face Birmingham Moseley on
Saturday 21st February and look to extend their stunning win streak. After that, they
return to Brickfields to face Blackheath in front of the Plymouth faithful, before a much-
needed week off.
Joe Wilkinson
