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Search forDawe returns as Albion bounce back
Monday, September 15, 2008, 09:00
The former England hooker, who turned 49 at the start of September, had not featured in a league game since March 2006.
But with his team desperately searching for a fourth try to secure the all-important bonus point and with regular hooker James Owen injured, Dawe took to the field in 70th minute of Saturday's game, coming on alongside prop Ryan Hopkins.
Who knows whether it was the sight of their boss taking to the field that kick-started Albion's players back into action, but the team certainly finished with a flourish, running in three tries in the final six minutes to claim their biggest win since beating Launceston 50-7 last October.
The six-try victory was a perfect way to bounce back from last week's shock 43-19 defeat at Nottingham.
Albion's players certainly looked desperately keen make up for that loss as soon as they came out on Saturday.
They started the game at an incredible pace and after just 20 minutes they had run in three tries, courtesy of lively backs Greg Nicholls, Keni Fisilau and Geoff Griffiths.
But then Albion lost their way and Manchester started dominating possession, albeit without really threatening.
The newly-promoted visitors, making their first trip to Plymouth for nearly five years, kept the ball for long spells but lacked a cutting edge to get back into the game.
But it did look like the team that had conceded 113 points in their first two matches back in Division One were going to deny Albion the try-scoring bonus point they craved.
However, with six minutes of normal time to go Albion did get their fourth try – and then for good measure they ran in two more before the final whistle.
Saturday's game did show how dangerous Albion's backs can be when the forwards win them and provide them with good ball, which is what didn't happen at Nottingham where the home pack dominated.
Geoff Griffiths came into the side at full-back for his first start for the club since arriving from Rotherham and he showed great pace all afternoon and capped his full debut with an impressive 50 metre try.
With Liam Gibson and Justin Mensah-Coker on the wings, Albion must be able to field one of the fastest back threes in league rugby.
Gibson and Mensah-Coker also added good tries, as did centre Keni Fisilau and scrum-half Greg Nicholls, who also had big games on the day Albion celebrated their fifth anniversary at Brickfields.
But Albion will be concerned that they lost their way during the match and that their defence still looked a bit shaky.
Manchester did find some gaps but did not have the hard-nosed finishers to turn their chances into tries, which other teams might have.
Yet you can't be too critical when a team scores six tries and keeps their own try-line intact.
Albion did get the perfect start when scrum-half Nicholls scored his first try for the club after just six minutes.
Dawe's side had been awarded a penalty 25 metres out in front of the posts. Everyone was expecting Albion to go for the certain three points, but Nicholls showed some sharp thinking to take a quick-tap penalty and squeeze over near the posts.
Ross Laidlaw, who had missed the game at Nottingham due to injury, added the simple conversion, as well as a penalty on 13 minutes.
And it was Nicholls again who caught Manchester cold for Albion's second try.
The scrum-half cut through the visitors' defence and made 50 metres before putting Fisilau away to score on the right. It was ironic that Fisilau, who put in some massive hits during the game, should touchdown for a try on Albion's fifth anniversary at Brickfields as he had scored the first one at the ground in 2003.
Albion's third try came on 20 minutes after the home side turned Manchester over deep in their own half. The ball was eventually swung out to Griffiths on the left and he just put his foot down to outpace Manchester's last man over 50 metres and run in to score under the posts.
Laidlaw converted that effort and he also added a penalty four minutes later to make it 25-0.
But that was the point Albion lost their way with their impatience to get the all-important fourth try.
Manchester winger Gareth Wynne kicked two penalties before half-time to reduce the gap to 19 points at the break as Albion were forced to re-organise their pack due to an injury to Mike Denbee.
The visitors continued to dominate possession after the break, but Albion gave themselves some more breathing space when Laidlaw kicked a penalty on 52 minutes.
The home side, who had Danny Thomas setting a new club record for league appearances, were getting more into the game.
Fisilau, Gareth Evans, starting his first game at hooker, and prop James Tideswell, who also impressed on his full debut, all made good breaks, but the fourth try just would not come.
The crowd were growing restless, but with all seven replacements on, it finally came – and most supporters would say it was worth the wait – as Gibson showed his class to run in from 70 metres out. His effort was converted by replacement Kieran Hallett.
With the pressure off, Albion relaxed and two minutes later added a fifth this time through Mensah-Coker.
Replacement David Palu put the big Canadian through and he casually ran to the line to score his first for the club.
And in injury-time, Wayne Sprangle, who came on at the end of the first half for Denbee, also scored his first try in Albion colours when he went over from close range, which Hallett converted.
Vote for your man of the match at www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/albion
To view video highlights of the game click on the link below
http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/albion/VIDEO-Albion-v-Manchester-highlights/article-327452-detail/article.html
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