Albion keen to keep run going this year

PLYMOUTH Albion will be hoping to make it three wins out of four when they travel to Birmingham tomorrow to take on Moseley at Billesley Common (3pm).

Albion won two out of their first three matches last season but could not build on it as injuries and then the club's off-field problems took effect.

But head coach Nat Saumi is confident his team, who sit third in the table, can keep their impressive start going this time around.

He is also hoping his team can get that away win in the bag tomorrow so that it does not become an issue this year.

Last season Albion did not win on their travels at all in the league.

They had to wait until the relegation play-offs before claiming their one and only Championship away victory.

Saumi's side have so far beaten Leeds 32-31 and Doncaster 27-22 at home, but suffered late agony when they lost 19-17 at the Cornish Pirates.

Despite that defeat in Cornwall, Saumi felt his team proved in that match that they can perform away from home.

"Hopefully, we can do what we did at the Pirates and it will come to fruition this week," said Saumi.

The Fijian admits his team will travel to the Midlands in good heart after their win over Leeds.

"We got five points from a game – that's the maximum, so that does bring confidence," said Saumi.

"But it will be a tough game this weekend.

"They (Moseley) went to Jersey and won last week.

"And it is always tough going to Moseley and winning."

Albion failed to do that on three occasions last season, narrowly losing at Billesley in the British & Irish Cup, league and play-offs.

"I'm sure that will be in the back of many of the players' minds," said Saumi.

"But this week is a one-off."

Saumi has been forced to make three changes to the team that beat Leeds last week.

Louis Messer, Tom Bowen and Lloyd Fairbrother are injured and are replaced by Henry Slade, fit-again Paul Bailey and David Morton.

Albion are still without Rhodri McAtee, Aaron Carpenter and long-term absentee Herbie Stupple.

Carpenter missed last week's match to be with his wife at the birth of their first child.

And Saumi has opted not to bring him back into the squad this week.

"I have given Aaron a week off because of his new baby," said Saumi.

"It has been quite tough for him being up all night."

In Carpenter's and Stupple's absence, Sean-Michael Stephen will continue at number eight.

Ryan Hopkins and Lewis Warner are added to Albion's bench.

Albion: Henry Slade, Paul Bailey, Toby Howley-Berridge, Bevon Armitage, Jack Arnott, Paul Roberts, Ruairi Cushion, Jack Andrew, Jon Vickers, David Morton, Brett Beukeboom, Ien Ascroft-Leigh, Rupeni Nasiga, Sam Hocking, Sean-Michael Stephen (capt). Reps: Paul Rowley, Lewis Warner, Wayne Sprangle, Ryan Hopkins, Tom Cowan-Dickie, Harrison Tovey, Keni Fisilau.