New boy comes from level 9 rugby to NL1 in a month

By
April 1 2006

New boy comes from level 9 rugby to play against the Welsh in just a month

 

It's time for a change!

 

In a move to tryout new combinations for next season Graham is to make some unique and radical changes to the line up for today's match against London Welsh. Graham has been heard to say "we need to play clinical rugby and  if they have the motivation and fitness it takes I will give them a chance".  Some say that the idea for the changes came after the Doncaster match on 18th February when Tom Hayes took up kicking duties with great success.

Tom will be the main kicker although Nat Saumi is on the bench just in case. "Tom stepped up to the mark and surprised us all, it was a shame that effort in the second row caused his fitness to be stretched just too far and we had to bring Nick (Defty) on to complete the job."  Tom has been through a tremendous up lift in his fitness training and at Thursday's kicking practice has been regularly kicking a success rate of around 90% and with five attempts from the half way line kicked 4 of them this week.

Martin Schusterman after last Saturday said that he liked to be at the centre of play and thinks the team would benefit from some swift moves from the breakdowns and will play at inside centre with new man *"Raf" Lipool, seen right, playing at outside centre. Ralph has been playing level 9 rugby in the Devon One league this season for Okehampton  but had been spotted by Bob E. last month and has been training with the Warriors ever since.  It was planned that he would play on Sunday when Warriors were due to play Launceston until the match was cancelled mid week. Bob says that this young lad has the potential to play for England but needs a season at National League One before he will be ready for that step I hope.  Ralph has helped the Okies to the top of the table with over 100 of the teams 612 points. He only took up rugby last year after being banned from his local soccer club after being sent off 3 times in as many months.

Tom Arscott will join his brother Luke on the pitch for the first time since we played Doncaster last October.  Tom has been out of the first team with injury but has been making some welcome contributions to both Warriors and Devon over the past months.  "His return to the first team is about due but I would like to use him at fly-half as he has the speed and agility need and he can dart in the other direction when ever he feels like it.  Luke will also take up a new role and will start at scrum half.  The two work well together and need the opportunity to show what they can do.

Matias Albina, who was 31 last Sunday, has been trying out his speed and will play on left wing and is expected to start his first match for five months. Mat says he likes being on the pitch and deserves a starting position and if this is what I have to do then so be it. The full back slot goes to Alfie Tooala who says that he can play last man, no one will get past him!  The third member of the back row goes to Danny Thomas, who wants to stand back and see how the forwards are performing and will play on the right.

Brett Luxton and Nic Rouse are to move up to the front row with the only unchanged player Stuart Friswell at hooker.  Brett and Nic work well together and have now met the front row requirements to play in National League One and will add to our options for the future.  This gives the opportunity for Altan Ozdimer to claim his first start of the season at lock alongside Brett Stroud who is also yet to start for the Albion.

The Flanker slots go to Ed Lewsey and Sam Leung Wai who hopes his knee injury will hold up after being replaced last Saturday. Ed is not that happy with his position but he knows he must do what is asked of him if he wants to play at this level.

The final place at No. 8 is being taken by Ed Barnes. Ed says that he knows he can play at any position and is glad that the kicking duties have been passed to Tom. I can still kick, this way I can be at the centre of the play and my strength will only improve. 

I am sure that this team will be able to beat London Welsh and will give us the opportunity to build on a team for next season and looking to the Premiership in 2007.  I know the game and I know what is needed for Albion to be considered a special team.

 

*For further information on "Raf" Lipool please follow the link to his history and reports of his last three appearances for Okehampton.  www.OkeRFC.co.uk

 

Please mail any comments to this article to Frank

Headshot photos by kind permission of BBC/Devon