Preview LW match


By Frank Stormont
December 1 2006

A preview of the weekend with news predictions and official released squad news. Chris Lowrie moves into starting lineup and Tim Mathias moves back to the bench.

Formatted Team List

 Preview London Welsh



























LH Prop -Martin Rice
Martin Rice
Hooker -Richard Oxley
Richard Oxley
TH Prop -Scott Zimmerman
Scott Zimmerman
Lock -Colin Stewart
Colin Stewart
Lock -Tom Hayes
Tom Hayes
Flanker -Federico Genoud
Federico Genoud
Flanker -Danny Thomas
Danny Thomas
No 8 -Chris Lowrie
Chris Lowrie
Scrum half -Ed Lewsey
Ed Lewsey
Fly half -Ed Barnes
Ed Barnes
Left wing -Nic Sestaret
Nic Sestaret
Inside centre -Keni Fisilau
Keni Fisilau
Outside centre -Regardt Van Eyk
Regardt Van Eyk
Outside centre -Tom Arscott
Tom Arscott
full back -Wihan Neethling
Wihan Neethling
Bench -Nigel Cane
Nigel Cane
Bench -Arran Cruickshanks
Arran Cruickshanks
Bench -Nat Saumi
Nat Saumi
Bench -Tim Mathias
Tim Mathias
Bench -Francisco Deformes
Francisco Deformes
Bench -James Owen
James Owen
Bench -Brett Stroud
Brett Stroud
Bench -Bryn Jenkins
Bryn Jenkins
Bench -Ed King
Ed King

Bench from

London Welsh RFC,
Old Deer Park,
Kew Road,
Richmond,
Surrey
TW9 2AZ
020 8940 2368

London Welsh have yet to win at home this season so lets hope that that run continues. They have had 7 straight defeats on the trot and will be looking to change the run of things when they host Albion at 2pm on Saturday.

 

Last meetings

Last encounter was on the second weekend of the season when Albion started their unbeaten run for the season coming off better in the 20 - 12 win. Report Photos, LW report

The result was never in any real doubt although supporters must have got just that little bit worried when Albion went off the pitch down by two points. Kicking by both sides was adversely affected by the wind that although it looked as if it was constant, was in fact gusty and moved around almost giving a swirl affect. Six foot seven prop Colin Stewart was awarded man of the match  by ball sponsors ATN and received his bottle of gin.  He was heard to say that he does not drink gin but he knows someone who does!

 

The last time Albion visited Old Deer Park was 12th November last year and they came away with a 18 - 29 win and an all important bonus point. With two tries for Nic Sestaret and two for Stuart Pearl and Nat Saumi on kicking duty picking up the extras.  This is ..Report

Last three matches

London Welsh 18 Leeds Tykes 38

Pirates 41 London Welsh 13

London Welsh 22 Pertemp Bees 26

Table

League Table
Team P W D L F A BP PTS
Leeds 13 11 0 2 422 240 10 54
Albion 13 11 0 2 369 169 8 52
Titans 13 10 0 3 423 192 12 52
Pirates 13 10 0 3 424 194 10 50
Doncaster 13 10 0 3 362 184 10 50
Bedford 13 7 1 5 391 303 11 41
Pertemps Bees 13 7 1 5 337 348 10 40
Coventry 13 6 1 6 262 285 6 32
Exeter 13 6 1 6 271 283 4 30
Newbury 13 6 0 7 283 308 4 28
Nottingham 13 4 0 9 322 362 9 25
Otley 13 5 0 8 221 319 3 23
London Welsh 13 3 0 10 234 374 4 16
Moseley 13 2 0 11 230 432 6 14
Sedgley Park 13 2 0 11 231 446 6 14
Waterloo 13 2 0 11 205 548 1 9

 

Predictions

BetFred 

Albion to win by 19 points

Albion now 3rd favourite at 10/3 to win the league

Terrace Talk

London Welsh v Plymouth Albion

 

Second placed Plymouth Albion travel to 13th placed looking for the win to continue to keep the pressure on the leaders.

 

Albion have lost just twice all season and are just two points behind top spot in National One.

 

The Welsh are having a poor season and are yet to win at Old Deer Park this season.   

 

Prediction: Albion to win by eight points.    

Rest of League TT

Rugby Round up

Not yet available

Don't forget you can register your own predictions!

Visiting fans

(awaiting information from London Welsh)

Tickets available on the gate:

  Ground Seated grandstand
Adult £12 +£5
Un reserved & un numbered seats
Concession £6
Child Free

Car park - £5 per car
but there is free parking on Kew Road and neighbourhood streets - time restrictions/residents parking in so please check

Programme £2

Food/beer
 Food is ample, hot dishes ranging from burgers/sausages to chilli and rice all the way to a full carvery-prices vary
Two full bars downstairs as well as large screen TVs in both

How to get there
(if you are not going on the supporters coach) 

5 Day Wheather forcast

Rain on Friday & Sunday - Clear sky on Saturday

Officials

London Welsh vs Plymouth Albion  
Referee: Andrew Vertigan
Touch judges:  Richard Parker-Sedgemore, Nick Clarke
Assessor: David Warren

Other Matches

Other top team matches this weekend

Other top 5 team matches that might effect the league lead

Saturday

Doncaster(5) v Sedgley Park(15) (Doncaster to win by 20* 15+)

Titans(3) v Coventry(8) (Titans to win by 20* 12+)

Sunday

Pirates(4) v Waterloo (16) (Pirates to win by 25* 15+)

Leeds(1) v Newbury (10) (Leeds to win by 17* 15+)

*BetFred prices
+Terrace Talk

Albion matters

Nigel Cane has returned to training but will probably not feature in the Squad this weekend.

Tim Mathias is looking for another start but that will depend on fitness of Martin Rice and Scott Zimmerman.

Ben Gulliver was injured during training on Tuesday night and was taken to hospital by a team mate and according to Evening Herald will not be fit for a few weeks.

Chris Lowrie could get his chance to start a league match for the first time since 28th January this year when Albion took on the Titians at Brickfields although he did start the pre season match and get Alllbion man of the match against bath.

Federico Genoud has been named Player of the Month by Albion and has picked up two Alllbion man of the matches.

Mike Lewis is reported to be fit and could be on the bench, his last league match was against Sedgley Park at Brickfields in April.

Danny Thomas is one of the seven finalists for the Herald Sports Personality of the Year for 2006. The winner will be named at the Pavilions on Monday evening.

Alllbion's man of the match for the Waterloo game is a close call between Tom Arscott and Colin Stewart who both played well.  The poll will be closed Friday evening so you can still have your say if you have not already voted.

The team will not be named until Friday at the earliest but I expect some decisions will be left until the day itself.

Frank's team:

Wihan Neethling, Tom Arscott, Regardt van Eyk, Keni Fisilau, Nic Sestaret, Ed Barnes, Ed Lewsey, Tim Mathias, Richard Oxley, Scott Zimmerman, Colin Stewart, Tom Hayes, Federico Genoud, Danny Thomas(c), Chris Lowrie

Reps:  Martin Rice, James Owen, Mike Lewis, Brett Stroud, Matt Newman, Arran Cruickshanks, Nat Saumi.

So I was wrong about Martin, but its good news as he must be fit.

Squad announced on official website is :

Starts: Wihan Neethling, Tom Arscott, Regardt van Eyk, Keni Fisilau,  Nic Sestaret, Ed Barnes, Ed Lewsey,  Martin Rice, Richard Oxley, Scott Zimmerman, Colin Stewart, Tom Hayes, Federico Genoud, Danny Thomas, Chris Lowrie


Replacements from: Nigel Cane, Arran Cruickshanks, Nat Saumi, Tim Mathias, Francisco Deformes, James Owen, B Stroud, B Jenkins, E King

Chris Lowrie does look as though he will get a start with Tom Hayes moving up to 2nd row. Nigel Cane must be fit for the bench so Matt Newman moves beck to Warriors. Bryn Jenkins and Ed King are possible for the bench for the first time. Bryn plays 2nd row and has made 23 appearances for the Warriors since the beginning of the year and scored against the Royal Marines. Ed usually lines up along side Bryn and has made 14 appearances.

 

Westcountry Warriors are also playing Richmond just down the road from London Welsh so the two matches together may stretch the squad and give chances for some of the fringe players.