Match Report: PARFC 22 - 8 Rotherham (C'ship)

What a week for Plymouth Albion RFC! First, the news that they had avoided administration; then an exceptional effort from the team and bench to secure the maximum of sorely-needed league points against a team contending for a play-off place. Before the game got underway, Peter Vosper from the Board introduced a young lady who had given her pocket money of £5 to help in trying to reduce the club debts, whilst keeping her father and grandfather very proud and happy men. This lifted the crowd and applause rang out around The Brickfields for such a wonderful gesture by someone so young and thoughtful of others.

The game was to be played in very poor weather conditions, where rain, hail, and sleet would be driven along the pitch by a strong, cold wind towards the Clubhouse end. Today’s attendance was 1 268 - a great effort in view of such a poor forecast.  (Credit is also due to the Titans supporters who made the long journey south, and we wish them a safe and careful drive back to Rotherham.)

This fixture was always going to be about the forwards and who wanted it most. With Graham Dawe re-instated (as Director of Rugby), this was exactly the type of game where team and coaches could tap into his vast amount of experience.

Rotherham were wind-assisted in the first half and very quickly put the home defence under pressure. The initial response was superb; however, Titans’ very next attack registered the first points of the game. James McKinney converted a penalty kick in front of the posts; Albion 0 - 3 Titans.

Even with the elements against them Albion seemed well up for this game and responded in the 13th minute with an outstanding catch and drive. They edged closer and closer until Rob Langley got over the whitewash to take the lead. Lawrence Rayner's conversion attempt was held up in the strong wind even though the angle looked good to go over; Albion 5 - 3 Titans.

Understandably, with the strong wind, Rotherham had long periods of possession, but could not breach a very resolute Albion defence who starved Rotherham of any space on the ball and made retention of possession and territory more difficult.

As conditions worsened with squalls of heavy driving rain and hailstones, it was the home side that further added to the scoreboard. In the 34th minute, a similar catch and drive ended up with Eoghan Grace securing a very important try as Albion would have the elements with them in the second half. Once more, the conversion attempt from wide failed; Albion 10 – 3 Titans.

It has to be said that the Albion first up tackles were very good, denying Titans any time on the ball. The score remained unchanged until the interval as Albion went in a full score to the good. Some of Declan Cusack’s first half kicks didn't seem to travel very far, and this contributed to the forwards really having to graft to retain any hard-earned gains.

The teams emerged from the break with Albion in clean (red) tops. Early on, Rotherham gave up possession and Albion attacked looking for an early score in the half. After spreading the ball about and camping in the Titans 22, a knock on led to Rotherham easing the pressure. But when the clearance was made, it didn't get out of the 22. With the crowd sensing a second home win in a month, the team responded with a third try in the corner by Rob Langley on 50 minutes. In a challenging kicking environment, the conversion missed yet again; Albion 15 – 3 Titans.

Then came Rotherham's best spell of the game; Albion were now conceding penalties and from a catch and drive situation Jack Preece went over in the corner to reduce the arrears. True to form, the conversion was missed: Albion 15 – 8 Titans.

Then (for the vast majority in the ground) came a significant moment; Albion turned Titans over and kicked the ball on. After Ben Foley sprinted down the wing in pursuit, it remained a foot race to see if he could touch down before it went dead in the corner. He did - however, after consulting with the assistant, the score was chalked off by the referee as the ball was judged to have gone into touch before the race to the line.

Albion then had to defend like trojans, as wave after wave of Titans possession moved them closer to the Albion line. The ball now flying all over the place as conditions deteriorated further. There was a sense of nervousness among the home support knowing how imperative another home win could be.

After Titans were penalised in the scrum and with time running out to secure what would be a very valuable bonus point, Albion choose to kick for the corner. Following numerous attempts to drive over, Albion appeared to be repelled. Furthermore, it was getting really difficult to establish who was who with only the recent replacements standing out. All Brown was pitted against All Brown against a background of... brown. But in the aftermath of yet another well-executed catch and drive, Albion started to inch their way to the whitewash. With the crowd encouraging each advance, replacement forward Herbie Stupple was eventually the man to emerge out under numerous bodies to record the all important fourth try. Finally, in vindication to both kickers, full back Rayner put over a wonderful conversion from out on the touchline, taking the final score to Albion 22 – 8 Rotherham Titans.

A huge win as it became apparent Doncaster had lost at Worcester, to cut the league deficit to just 3 points in the quest to avoid the drop. It had been an immense game for the forwards today, Brett Beukeboom receiving the Albion MoM award. With momentum building, Albion need to take all the positives out of today’s game and move onto Bedford with renewed confidence that they can avoid the drop.

As for Rotherham, they seemed to struggle with the conditions and intensity of the Albion forwards, and were unable to put the ball in areas where it would pressurise the Albion defence. I am sure they will respond to this defeat in a positive manner as their league position is there for all to see.
A hard day for all today, but well done to the teams for a thrilling match in dreadful conditions - and all the spectators who attended.