HALLETT SAYS ALBION HAVE A MASSIVE POINT TO PROVE…
It was always going to be a tough battle away to Rosslyn Park and the game panned out exactly that way, with both sides putting in a great performance overall. But, despite Albion’s best efforts and their dogged determination right until the final whilst, Albion narrowly lost out to Rosslyn Park 22 points to 17. However, Albion did pick up a vital bonus point that sees them climb the National League One table by one place.
Head Coach, Kieran Hallett, said; “Our conversion rate whilst in their 22 was poor and had we taken advantage of our possession, then it could have been a very different game.”
Hallett went on to say; “Rosslyn Park defended well, and we did exploit the space they left behind, but we just didn’t quite get right some of the basics that makes our attack effective. We did rectify this in the last 10 minutes and the result was two tries on the bounce, but by then it was too late.”
So on to this weekend’s fixture at the Brickfields against Birmingham Moseley. Since January Plymouth Albion have been steadily climbing the table, now sat in 7th place in National League One, but this is in stark contrast to the last time Albion took on Birmingham Moseley at Billesley Common in December, when they were sat in the in the relegation zone, third from bottom.
Referring to that match, Hallett said; “You could see some of the naivety in the backline”, referring to the inexperience of some of the younger lads at the back.
However, Hallett followed on by saying; “in these situations you just need to be patient, it’s not the same squad as last year and they are a talented group of young players who will come through for us. So, please trust them and get behind them, that’s what they need to perform at their best.”
It seems that he was right to have faith in his squad, as since that fixture, Albion has lost just four games. So, speaking to Kieran yesterday, he said; “We got caught cold up there last time and we were missing a few key players, but the squad has developed to be a totally different proposition now.”
Hallett added; “The boys haven’t forgotten what happened the last time we met Birmingham Moseley and they are still hurting from it, but they have channelled this hurt to focus on the game in hand this weekend. When you lose a game in the way we did against them [Birmingham Moseley], you always target the return leg to put things right. Birmingham Moseley are a tough & challenging team to take on, but with the team settled and the hard work they put into training this week, we are certainly out on the field for the win”
There are no significant changes to the starting line-up for Albion this weekend, the only notable changes from last week is that Connor Eastgate is back in for Fraser Honey and Dan Mugford is back on the bench following a long layoff due to injury.
The lads on the pitch, need the supporters to be as noisy as they can be this weekend, as this Albion’s penultimate home match – so they want to give the fans something to remember.
Albion’s team selection for this weekend; 1. Norton, 2. Salter, 3. Pullinger, 4. Pearson, 5. Kelly, 6. Daly, 7. Mills, 8. Stupple (c), 9. Setter, 10. Eastgate, 11. Arnott, 12. Squire, 13. Dawe, 14. Skelcey, 15. Shepherd. Replacements; 16. Kenny, 17. Davis, 18. Collier, 19. Snow, 20. Mugford.
