Ben Gulliver settles in at Albion
By Frank Stormont
October 3 2006
Ben talks after the Albion win over Coventry about the match and how he is settling in.
Ben Gulliver admits that it was a strange feeling playing against his old team when I spoke to him after Plymouth Albion won the clash against Ben's old team Coventry
"Once the whistle went it was like any other game of rugby but with the extra banter from a few of the boys that I know.
Albion had easily won the first half by running three tries in twenty minutes but after the break Albion failed to add to their score and watched Coventry gradually pull back the score until they were within 8 points and only a missed penalty stopped Coventry getting their bonus point. Ben said " you have to give the credit to Coventry they used the territory and the wind conditions like we did in the first half. I think we went a bit off the boil in the second half we were all disappointed."
Ben was shocked with being presented with a bottle of gin for being named as SGB man of the match. " I am surprised that others on the team did not get it as they deserved it more than me. Individual things don't mean anything if we are winning as a group that is the most important thing."
Ben's father, Tony Gulliver is a Coventry man through and through and has played numerous games in the Coventry shirt and is now their team manager. He will be gutted about the result for the supporters. Although Ben had not had a chance to speak to his father he planned to have a private drink with him. " I'm sure it will all be forgotten about with in the hour." Tony had said to Ben in the week leading up to the match that " blood is thicker than water". "I think he will be quietly pleased for me" admits Ben.
Ben says that he has settled in with a brilliant bunch of lads down here. "The club has been good to me and I am enjoying the Devon life. I really do like it down here. Without the everyday distractions of playing rugby in your home town it means that I can concentrate better on the game.
"The continuity of the team is a big thing and helps breed the success. Although we have won the first 5 matches, and are currently on top, if we were to loose the next five people will be saying who are Plymouth Albion. We have to keep our feet planted firmly on the ground and start planning for the local derby against Exeter."
Ben says that none of the squad are looking to the end of the season yet and predicting the top slot. " We are doing well and as long as we keep winning with other teams loosing a match here and there we should stay there."
Stu Friswell, who was replaced for the first time this season on Saturday, said after the match that he was settling into the Coventry squad well and enjoying the match time that he was getting. He is currently buying a house up in Coventry. Stu played in 12 matches in an Albion shirt last season starting in 10 and being replaced 6 times. He also had 2 tries credited to his name.