Round 8: Bishop's Stortford v Plymouth Albion

On All Hallows Eve Albion will want to avoid any horror stories as they travel to Hertfordshire to take on Bishop's Stortford.

Result

A mixed performance from Albion who again got off to a flying start with a try by Huw Taylor in the third minute, 3 more tries and Albion had secured the bonus point within the first 20 minutes. 

Then things started to get ragged, missed passes knock ons and a succession of penalties allowed the Blues to get into the game with a pair of tries of their own. Albion got a fifth try towards the end of the game but just before half time Harry WIlknson received a card for a 'no arms' tackle adjudged to be dangerous.

On the restart the Blues were in the ascendency and added two tries in quick succcession for their TBP. Albion looked unsettled but managed to restore their half time advantage. In the final 10 minutes, the Blue pushed hard chasing a losing point, before Albion closed out the game with a try as the final play of the game.

Final Score 40-54.

In the league, Albion pull clear of Tonbridge Juddians who's winning run comes to an end at the hands of Birmingham Moseley. 

Scores & Cards

Squads

Preview

The Blues currently lie in 6th place having got off to a good start winning 3 of the first 4 fixtures. Since then though, they have lost 3 on the trot. However, those losses include TJs (32-36) and the Tykes (36-31) last time out. The two week break may have come as a welcome relief to allow for recoveries.

Albion have won the previous 6 meetings against the Blues with the latest being a dominant 39-17 display at the Brickfields.

Scoring Analysis

To date the Blues have scored 37 tries (average 5.3 per game with the backs edging over the forwards. They like to send the ball along the back line to find openings away from the forwards. Within the pack, any of the forwards have shown that they can find the line, with tries fairly evenly spread between them. 

Defensively, they have also conceded 37 tries, with the backs being particularly exploited offering a 70/30 weakness, with the wings finding the greatest vulnerabilities.    

Again, Albion's pack will be set out to test the opposition, which they may well succeed as the Blues have had to shuffle players around in the previous fixtures as they deal with injuries and searching for the right mix. For their part, the Blues will come out strongly at the start of each half, but their attacking potential may diminish significantly as each half progresses.

Player to watch

Austin Pope - 4 tries this season. The homegrown talent reached 100 caps for his club last season. Listed as a forward (Flanker/No 8) he has also started at centre this season. Also look out for the Fijian winger Seva Kava, one of 5 dual registered players from Saracens. Seva has scored 3 tries in 4 games.

Referee

Will be Callum Watson who has issued 6 yellow cards in 4 games with NL1 this season. 2 of those were issued to Rams which arguably cost them 19 points in Bishop's Stortford's 31-34 away win. To date the Blues have incurred 5 yellow cards whilst Albion have 6. 

Weather

A sunny afternoon, with the sun setting for the closing moments of the game. A light air with gentle gusts will blow from the East (ca park side). Temps start at 13°C but will cool to 11°C.

Prediction

A likely win for Albion but could become unstuck if Stortford have a good day.

Other games of note

Dings Crusaders (13th) v Camborne (3rd} - Dings have had some close, high scoring games. Whilst likely Camborne will win, Dings are on home soil.

Birmingham Moseley (9th) v Tonbridge Juddians (2nd} - TJs will probably be able to maintain the pressure at the top, can't really see Mose pulling one out of the bag.

Rams (11th) v Leeds Tykes (4th} - Similarly Leeds should have this one against Albion's next opponents.