50/50 numbers 1st 51405 – 2nd 51955
Plymouth Albion Power to the Summit with Statement Win Over Bishop’s Stortford
Plymouth Albion produced a statement performance at Brickfields on Saturday afternoon as they swept aside Bishop’s Stortford 39–17 to move to the summit of National League 1, delivering an emphatic blend of attacking flair and forward power in front of a buoyant home crowd.
In a contest billed as an important marker in the title race, Albion wasted no time in asserting their authority. From the opening exchanges, the hosts played with pace and precision, immediately placing Bishop’s Stortford under pressure. That early dominance was rewarded inside two minutes when Jenson Boughton crossed for the opening try, charging over the line and carrying plenty of bodies with him. Iwan Jenkins added the extras, setting the tone for what would become a relentless first-half display.
Albion struck again just seven minutes later, and once more it was Boughton who did the damage. A well-worked phase attack created space up the middle, allowing the big man to exploit a narrow gap in the defensive line and crash over for his second of the afternoon. Jenkins remained flawless from the tee, and with just ten minutes played the hosts had surged into a commanding 14–0 lead.
Bishop’s Stortford responded well by tightening up defensively and slowing the game at the breakdown, and on 14 minutes centre Thomas Hitchcock powered over following sustained pressure close to the line, though the conversion attempt from Christopher Bolton drifted wide.
The first half continued to tilt firmly in the home side’s favour. An early injury saw Shea Cornish replaced by Bobby Wigginton on 17 minutes, and the substitution paid immediate dividends. Just two minutes later, Wigginton announced himself in style, finishing a slick move to claim Albion’s third try. Jenkins again converted, stretching the lead to 21–5 and leaving the visitors reeling.
Bishop’s Stortford were reduced to 14 men following a technical yellow card shown to Jake Morris on 22 minutes, and the numerical advantage continued to shift momentum in Albion’s favour. The hosts delivered another telling blow on 27 minutes, Ben Moa finishing strongly to secure Albion’s fifth try after Jenson Boughton wriggled free up the middle, with Jenkins once more adding the conversion to cap a devastating opening half-hour.
The visitors finally found a foothold at the start of the second half, managing to break through Albion’s defensive line and offering a reminder of their attacking potential. Yet Albion remained composed, managing the initial moments with maturity and control. Then, as Bishop’s were firmly in the ascendance with territorial advantage, Bobby Wigginton intercepted a loose pass and ran the entire length of the pitch before crossing for his second try of the afternoon. Although Jenkins was unable to convert on this occasion, the home side’s advantage was extended to 36–5.
A raft of substitutions followed as Albion rotated their pack and backline, ensuring energy levels remained high. Bishop’s Stortford attempted to rally and were rewarded on 53 minutes when Oliver Jones found space to score, with Bolton converting to narrow the gap.
Bishop’s piled on the pressure and just minutes later Tristan Smith powered over for another try, closing the gap further. While the conversion attempt was unsuccessful, the try effectively kept alive the visitors’ hopes of a comeback.
As the match entered the final stages, Albion demonstrated their composure and game management, choosing to build pressure through territory and possession rather than force opportunities. Jenkins added two late penalties on 73 and 75 minutes, calmly slotting both efforts to push Albion’s total to the 39-point mark and further underline their control.
Bishop’s Stortford continued to battle, but Albion’s defensive resolve ensured there would be no late drama. When the final whistle sounded, the 39–17 scoreline accurately reflected Albion’s dominance across the 80 minutes.
Beyond the result itself, the significance of the victory could not be overstated. The bonus-point win propels Plymouth Albion to the top of National League 1, a reward for their consistency and attacking ambition across the campaign. With rivals applying pressure elsewhere in the table, Albion delivered when it mattered most, combining ruthless finishing with disciplined defence.
Head coach Ryan Lamb and his players alike will take heart from the performance, particularly the clinical nature of the first half and the controlled response to moments of adversity. With key contributors stepping up across the park and squad depth once again proving decisive, Albion now sit proudly at the league’s summit, knowing momentum is firmly on their side as the season enters a crucial phase.
For the Brickfields faithful, this was not just a victory, but a statement of intent. Plymouth Albion are top of the league, and playing like a side determined to stay there.
Post-Match Reaction
Head coach Ryan Lamb was pleased with his team’s performance, saying:
“I thought it was a fantastic performance, especially the first 40. We came out and scored some really good tries. The second half swung a little and we struggled to recreate the same type of pressure we had in the first half. It was a really professional performance. We’ve put ourselves in a really good position, but there’s plenty of games left to play and we’ve got to take it week by week.”
Albion will face Leicester Lions on the road next weekend before heading back to Brickfields to face fellow Playoff contenders Rosslyn Park. Grab your tickets here for what’s expected to be another busy night at Brickfields.
