Match Report: Plymouth Albion vs Leicester Lions (50/50 numbers have been claimed)
Plymouth Albion were in action in their fourth game of the National One campaign, taking on Leicester Lions at home in Brickfields. Despite the overcast, cold, and dreary weather that welcomed both teams, the stands were packed with Albion supporters, all in great spirit.
The home side came into the tie as heavy favourites, unbeaten in their first three games and sitting top of the table with maximum points. Their opponents, Leicester Lions, had endured a contrasting start, sitting at the foot of the table and desperate to turn their fortunes around.
First Half
Albion kicked off under the floodlights and immediately went on the offensive, pinning Leicester deep inside their own twenty-two. Just three minutes in, skipper Jack Oulton showed brilliant vision to feed Bobby Wigginton, who darted through a gap in the visitors’ defensive line for the opening try. Frankie Dart added the extras to give Albion an early 7-0 lead.
The home side kept their foot on the gas. Sustained pressure forced multiple penalties from Leicester, and when play was brought back for advantage, Oulton took a quick tap and burst through the defensive line for Albion’s second try. Dart was accurate once more, and with less than 12 minutes played, Albion were 14-0 up.
Leicester hit back almost instantly, capitalising on a handling error in the Albion backs to score a breakaway try. The conversion was missed, but the Lions were on the board at 14-5.
The visitors grew into the game, holding territory inside Albion’s ten-metre line and coming close on several occasions. Albion’s defence held firm, with Oulton relieving pressure with a series of box kicks to clear danger. As the half drew to a close, the momentum shifted back in Albion’s favour.
After a spell of dominance in the Leicester twenty-two, Albion secured their third try from a well-worked lineout move. Joel Broadhurst crashed over in the corner to extend the lead to 19-5. Leicester weren’t finished, however, stealing a try of their own from a lineout just before the whistle. With the conversion added, the half-time score sat at 19-12 to Albion.
Second Half
Head Coach Ryan Lamb introduced Dan Pullinger at the break, and the front-rower made an immediate impact, shoring up the defence and adding power in attack. The second half began with both sides sharing spells of possession, but it was Albion who struck first. Sustained pressure saw prop Jenson Boughton bulldoze his way over the line. From the corner, Dart delivered a pinpoint conversion, extending Albion’s advantage to 26-12.
Leicester refused to roll over. They worked the ball smartly into Albion’s twenty-two and powered over from a lineout maul, cutting the score to 26-17 after the missed conversion.
The game remained fast and open, but Albion showed composure and patience in the red zone. Superb ball movement found captain Oulton on a powerful line, and the scrum half crashed over for his second try of the game. Replacement kicker Iwan Jenkins added the extras to make it 33-17.
Moments later, Albion mounted another sustained attack. Louie Gulley, making his impact off the bench, powered over the line carrying two defenders with him. Jenkins again delivered from the tee with a narrow-angled kick.
The tries kept coming. This time, relentless phases stretched the Leicester defence, and Angus Hodges stormed through for Albion’s sixth try. Jenkins couldn’t quite add the extras, but Albion held a commanding 45-17 lead.
Leicester managed a late response, once again scoring from a lineout maul to narrow the gap to 45-22, but it was too little too late. Albion finished the match pressing for yet another score and closed out a resounding victory.
Post-Match Reaction
Skipper Jack Oulton, named Nuffield Health Man of the Match, praised his side’s effort:
“The boys put in one hell of a shift and the forwards did a great job. Leicester really put us under for sixty minutes and made us work really hard, but I think our fitness showed in the last twenty minutes and we ran away with it, which was nice.”
Jack Oulton with Match Sponsors Sanderson Weatherall
Head Coach Ryan Lamb reflected on the performance and progression:
“The first half was a bit frustrating, the boys’ effort was definitely there, but we came away from what we’ve been good at over the last three games. We went a little too individual and there were a lot of errors in our own half, which we haven’t done this season so far. That said, our defensive sets were excellent. It wasn’t the best we’ve performed, but look at the scoreline. In previous years we might not have got the bonus point, or we might even have lost by a point or two, but we’ve won it comfortably. That does show the progression we’ve made over the last couple of seasons.”
Up Next
Albion will look to continue their unbeaten start to the season next weekend when they hit the road once again.
🎟 Tickets for the next home game are available now at plymouthalbion.com. Book online in advance for the best price and secure your place at Brickfields.
Pablo Cheeks
