Non-match report by Chris Bentley / Photography by David Cunningham
It is said that lighting doesn’t strike twice but when it comes to Plymouth Albion and Leeds Tykes, there was little doubt it most certainly does!
Exactly one year to the day they last cried off, the team from the north opted not to play the Ocean City’s finest at the Brickfields; only this time just minutes before K/O.
Last term, a covid case detected just before they departed Yorkshire for Devon caused a last-minute cancellation. This time, the Yorkshiremen arrived, started their warmup but then began to register concerns over a section of the pitch. After continued conversations with the match officials and representatives from both clubs that got heated at times, the decision was taken to postpone the game.
There was no doubt that the touchline close to the Princess Yachts Eric Johns Stand had not received a lot of sunlight and was certainly firm underfoot but, to the match officials, Albion players and the home crowd, the pitch was good to go. The pitch was a lot firmer during the pre-season with no interruption but with the ongoing debate around safety in rugby, if one team registers safety concerns, decisions must be made.
On a much colder afternoon a few years back, there are many that remember Albion beating the Exeter Chiefs. They too had similar reservations at the same section of the pitch but ultimately, fronted up and got the game played. That famous day was over 12 years ago and since then it appears that the rugby landscape has changed.
Just 25 minutes before kickoff referee Ian Kiy and his officials were in a huddle with both captains and explained they were passing the decision to them. Albion’s Herbie Stupple was very keen to get the game played while visiting captain Tristan Lloyd, who had been in repeated conversations with his D.O.R Jon Callard, was not.
In the event one captain is not happy to play, the game is postponed, and the decision led to some very peculiar scenes. Having opted not to play, the Tykes then partook a training session on the pitch they weren’t happy with while word of the postponement spread around the ground.
A few disgruntled fans aired their frustrations but to their credit, the visitors didn’t respond and were soon heading home while the supporters in the ground had to make do with the football world cup quarter-finals.
Speaking after the game, Albion coach Ryan Lamb added “we’re obviously disappointed for the game not to be played. From our side, we felt the pitch was playable but understandably both teams must be happy. We’ll look forward to the rearranged fixture in due course. I must add that in such a trying circumstance, Ian (the referee) and his team handled things very well. I’m gutted for the faithful who turned out and must congratulate them for taking such a last-minute call in good grace”
The game will be rescheduled for a date in the new year and tickets will be valid then or for next weekend’s derby match with Taunton Titans.
With Westcountry bragging rights and the big Christmas break afterwards, this promises to be a battle royale and certainly a game not to be missed!
Join us for the big game, Saturday 17th December – Albion v Taunton
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50/50 draw ticket 1st Prize was claimed but 2nd placed ticket 27354 is still waiting to be redeemed
