PLYMOUTH ALBION Vs CALDY PREVIEW
Round 6 of National One approaches this weekend with Albion returning to Brickfields to welcome Caldy, who currently occupy the top spot in the league table.
Caldy beat newly promoted Chinnor last weekend at Kingsey Road and will be looking to continue that form. They have also enjoyed wins against Esher, Loughborough and Moseley and recorded a narrow loss against Sale FC.
Caldy have been a surprise package this season so far, as the Paton Field based side have recorded four wins from five. Head Coach, Kieran Hallett commented: “Today will be tough and I’m sure Caldy will turn up full of confidence after their great start to the season, but we always like to rise to a challenge and show more intensity in our performances when playing the teams that are above us, hopefully we can show that for this home match.”
Albion’s form has been a mixed bag so far this term with only two wins from five. The Brickfields based team have suffered with ill-discipline this year with high penalty counts and yellow cards disrupting their progress.
Kieran added, “Discipline is what seems to be killing us at the moment, we are over anxious and giving away silly penalties and cards. The league is tight and going down to 14 men is going to make a difference and make it difficult no matter who we are playing.
It’s all in our own creation, we have to look at ourselves and why this is happening. The games are being won and lost on penalties and bad decisions at the moment.”
Wins against Ampthill and Esher have left them sitting 11th in the league table. Kieran Hallett’s side will be hoping to replicate the intensity shown at Cambridge last weekend in the first 25 minutes and maintain it, as well as disposing of the ill-discipline and yellow cards as they bid to recapture form and climb the table.
As one of the pre-season favourites to gain promotion this year, supporters have been surprised not to find Albion in the mix and are hoping a reversal of form can be achieved.
As for the team, following a week off against Cambridge, skipper Herbie Stupple resumes duty at number 8 after recovering from a knock gained in training. Rusi Tuima moves into the blindside flanker berth and Paul Davis returns at hooker at the expense of veteran Davy McGregor. The bench has a new look too, with Joe Snow, Kieran Westlake and Will Norton returning to the fold.
The back line remains unchanged from last week as Hallett keeps faith with Cam Setter and Fraser Honey who partner up in the half-backs, with influential Dan Mugford taking the number 12 shirt and Jon Dawe, Jack Arnott and Dan Powell in the back three.
Albion kick off at 1500 this Saturday and tickets are still available from the website or on the gate. Tickets are priced at £15 for adults, with under 16s allowed free entry with a paying adult. The newly refurbished Bidfood Marquee will aso be unveiled for hospitality on Saturday and the bar is open to everyone after the match along with entertainment.
The team to face Caldy for the 3pm kickoff at the Brickfields is:
19. Luke Chapman
2. Paul Davis
1. Marcus Street
4. Dan Collier
16. John Kelly
8. Rusi Tuima
5. Herbie Stupple (c)
7. George Mills
9. Cam Setter
10. Fraser Honey
12. Dan Mugford
13. Dean Squire
15. Jack Arnott
14. Dan Powell
18. Jon Dawe
Replacements:
3. Will Norton
17. Jamie Salter
6. Kieran Westlake
11. Joe Snow
20. Teegan Minkley
