Fugee’s Froback: A Look Back with David Fuge
Season 1970–71 – Easter Fixtures
On Easter Saturday, 10 April, Plymouth Albion defeated Old Merchant Taylors 32–16 at Beacon Park. Attention then turned quickly to the Easter Monday fixture, where Albion were due to face Broughton Park at home on Monday 12 April, with an early 11am kick-off.
Broughton Park were one of the North’s leading clubs at the time and arrived with a strong side that included two England internationals, prop Barry Jackson and second row Mike Leadbetter.
Matchday Notes
Programme notes informed spectators that the annual collection would be held in support of the League of Friends of Mount Gould Hospital.
Supporters were also reminded of a full afternoon of rugby at Beacon Park:
- Extra XV v Solihull – kick-off 3pm
- United XV v Old Brockleians – kick-off 4.30pm
Match Report
It was a cold start, but as the sun broke through, Albion’s forwards took firm control of proceedings. While number eight Gordon Thompson was the only forward to get his name on the scoresheet, the entire pack contributed through a series of powerful rucks and mauls. This platform allowed scrum-half Nick Vosper to dictate play.
Broughton Park began brightly, with scrum-half Peter Lewis particularly impressive, although their tactics appeared unusual, employing three-man lineouts with the remaining forwards positioned in the back division.
Albion took 18 minutes to open the scoring, with Barry Attis crossing for an unconverted try. Broughton Park responded with a 55-yard penalty from full-back David Barnes, but Albion regained the initiative within five minutes when Glen Waugh scored, though Gordon Hook was unable to convert.
Vosper then added a try of his own, again unconverted, as Albion continued to build momentum. With the forwards now firmly in control, Albion extended their lead further in the 55th minute when Richard Friend crossed, with Hook successfully adding the conversion.
Scoring Summary
Albion’s scorers were:
- Nick Vosper – 2 tries
- Barry Attis, Richard Friend, Roger Morrish, Glen Waugh, Gordon Thompson – 1 try each
- Gordon Hook – 1 penalty, 5 conversions
Broughton Park:
- David Barnes – 1 penalty
Final Score: Plymouth Albion 34 – Broughton Park 3
Albion XV
Gordon Hook
Barry Attis
Glen Waugh
Richard Friend
Roger Morrish
Tony Westlake
Nick Vosper
Ron Glazsher
Roger Jewell
Ray Smith
John Edwards
Dave Jessop
Brian Spiller
Brian Gurry
Mike Treagust
