The Army...24 Plymouth Albion XV...12

A PLYMOUTH Albion XV came unstuck in the last 10 minutes of last night's match against the Army at Aldershot.

Graham Dawe's side led 12-10 after 70 minutes of the game courtesy of four penalties from Mark Lee, who played fly-half.

However they conceded two converted tries in the closing stages of the encounter to suffer a loss.

"It was a good workout for the players, but we are disappointed to lose the match because we did enough to win it," said chairman of rugby Dawe.

"Unfortunately, we did not show enough composure in the last 10 minutes when the Army brought on some of their big guns and we were made to pay.

"However, it was a good experience for some of the younger players – Matt Newman and Mark Lee, in particular, played very well."

Albion, who were captained by Newman, fielded a relatively inexperienced side.

However first-team squad members Arran Cruickshanks, Keni Fisilau, Matt Newman, Jamie Salter and Colin Stewart all started the match and it was the visitors who took a 3-0 lead when Lee kicked the first of his four penalties.

The fly-half then added a further two penalties to give Albion a 9-0 lead and leave them in a commanding position.

However the Army hit back with the first try of the match courtesy of winger Malakai Magnus.

Launceston fly-half Mal Roberts kicked the conversion and Albion's lead was down to 9-7.

Roberts then kicked a penalty to give the Army a 10-7 advantage – the first time they had led in the match.

But Albion went back in front, 12-10, when Lee kicked the last of his four penalties.

Dawe's side beat the Army 41-7 when the two teams met at Brickfields in January of last year and the hosts were looking to avenge that result.

On 70 minutes, the Army took a big step to gaining revenge when prop Warren Ross-Allen dived over to put his side 15-12 in front.

Fly-half Rob Sweeney added the conversion and Albion, trailing 17-12, had work to do.

Unfortunately for the visitors, it was the Army who had the last word.

Fijian winger Gus Qasevakatini crossed for his side's third try.

Sweeney then made no mistake with the conversion to seal the win for the hosts.

Albion XV: Steve Johns, Ed Court (Max Venables 60), Arran Cruickshanks, Keni Fisilau, Jamie Shone, Mark Lee, Matt Newman (Cory Moore 75), Jack Yeandle, Jamie Salter (Sam Roberts 70), Ollie Yates, Colin Stewart, Ed King, Rory Watts-Jones, Joe Hayes (Jake Childs 75), Jamie Tripcony. Rep (not used): Tommy Newman.