BEDFORD BLUES...37 PLYMOUTH ALBION...9

Saturday, November 15, 2008

PLYMOUTH ALBION

15 Nat Saumi
14 Arran Cruickshanks
13 Keni Fisilau
12 Ross Allan (Wihan Neethling 67)
11 Tom Jarvis
10 Kieran Hallett (Ross Laidlaw 40)
9 Greg Nicholls (Matt Newman 77)
1 Martin Rice (Ryan Hopkins 46)
2 James Owen (Kyle Marriott 63)
3 Jané du Toit
4 Mike Lewis
5 Arthur Brenton (capt)
6 Wayne Sprangle
7 Mike Denbee
8 Gareth Evans
Not used:  Graham Dawe, Danny Thomas

BEDFORD: 15 Will Harries, 14 Ryan Owen (Ian Davey 49) , 13 Brendan Burke (Ian Vass 67) , 12 Liam Roberts, 11 Ollie Dodge, 10 Billy Twelvetrees, 9 Nick Walshe (Will Chudley 61) , 1 Marco Cecere, 2 Dan Richmond (capt, Greg Sammons 61, Dan Richmond 75) , 3 James Graham (Phil Boulton 34) , 4 Mike Howard (Paul Tupai 53) , 5 James Cannon, 6 Mouritz Botha, 7 Sacha Harding, 8 Rory McKay (Gregor Gillanders 53)

SCORERS

Bedford: Tries: Harries, Richmond, Roberts, Gillanders, Davey, Harding; Cons: Twelvetrees (2); Pen: Twelvetrees
Albion: Pens: Hallett (2), Laidlaw

CARDS

Albion: Brenton (52)

REFEREE

Adrian Hartwell (RFU)

ATTENDANCE

 2,010

MAN OF THE MATCH - WAYNE SPRANGLE

LOCK Lewis and fellow forwards Arthur Brenton and Martin Rice all did well while they were on the pitch. But it was Lewis, who completed the full 80 minutes, who just took the prize, thanks to a fully-committed performance. He made some superb attacking breaks in the first half, and then in the second period when Albion were forced to defend for long periods, Lewis made tackle after tackle in a bid to keep Bedford out. The lock appears to be improving with every game he plays.

PLYMOUTH ALBION...21 DONCASTER...18

Saturday, November 8, 2008

PLYMOUTH ALBION

15 Nat Saumi
14 Arran Cruickshanks
13 Keni Fisilau (Wihan Neethling 63)
12 Ross Allan
11 Tom Jarvis
10 Kieran Hallett
9 Greg Nicholls 
1 Martin Rice 
2 James Owen (Graham Dawe 59)
3 Jané du Toit (Ryan Hopkins 59)
4 Mike Lewis
5 Arthur Brenton (capt)
6 Wayne Sprangle
7 Mike Denbee
8 Gareth Evans
Not used:  Matt Newman, Ross Laidlaw, Kyle Marriott, Danny Thomas

DONCASTER: 15 Anthony Carter, 14 Wes Davies, 13 Bevan Armitage, 12 Hudson Tonga’uiha,  11 Oliver Goss, 10 Ali Warnock (Jamie Lennard 74), 9 Chris Hallam (Jamie Albinson 40),  1 Richard List,  2 Simon Jenkins, 3 Ngalu Tau (Michael Cusack 40),4 David Griffiths, 5 Glen Kenworthy (capt), 6 Joshua Afu, 7 Neil Cochrane (Simon Grainger 68), 8 Chris Planchant. Not used: Thomas Davis, Dan Smith, George Hughes

SCORERS

Albion: Tries: Du Toit, Jarvis; Con: Hallett; Pens: Hallett (3)
Doncaster: Tries: Planchant, Tonga’uiha; Con: Warnock; Pen: Warnock (2)

CARDS

None

REFEREE

Chris Sharp (RFU)

ATTENDANCE

 1,983

MAN OF THE MATCH - WAYNE SPRANGLE

THE back-row forward was making his first start for Albion. On the evidence of Saturday’s performance, it won’t be his last. Sprangle was superb defensively, making a series of timely tackles, and he made a number of fine attacking runs, setting-up the second try for Tom Jarvis.

PLYMOUTH ALBION...31 SEDGLEY PARK...7

Saturday, November 1, 2008

PLYMOUTH ALBION

15 Nat Saumi  (Ross Laidlaw 66)
14 Arran Cruickshanks
13 Keni Fisilau (Tom Jarvis 66)
12 Ross Allan
11 Justin Mensah-Coker
10 Kieran Hallett
9 Greg Nicholls  (Matt Newman 73)
1 Martin Rice 
2 James Owen (Kyle Marriott 66)
3 Jané du Toit (Ryan Hopkins 46)
4 Mike Lewis
5 Arthur Brenton (capt)
6 Sean-Michael Stephen  (Wayne Sprangle 66)
7 Mike Denbee
8 Gareth Evans
Not used: Graham Dawe

SEDGLEY PARK: 15 Matt Riley, 14 Peter Swatkins, 13 Josh Weeden (Paul Wilcock 66), 12 Lisiate Tafa, 11 Chris Wilkinson, 10 Phil Jones (capt), 9 Chris Leck (Chris Hall 34), 1 Phil Gazzola (Gerallt Evans 40+3), 2 Jon Roddam (Gareth Roberts 62),3 Petrus Du Plessis (Alistair Livesey 70), 4 Juan Crous (Dean Williams 50),5 Glen Townson, 6 James Jones, 7 Adam Newton, 8 Oliver Cook (Tim Fourie 77)

SCORERS

Albion: Tries: Mensah-Coker (2), Denbee, Jarvis. Con: Hallett. Pens: Hallett (3).
Sedgley Park Try: Wilkinson; Con: Jones

CARDS

None

REFEREE

Roy Maybank (RFU).

ATTENDANCE

 2,143

MAN OF THE MATCH - MIKE DENBEE

There were a number of impressive performances from Albion players on Saturday with Martin Rice, Gareth Evans and Justin Mensah-Coker all playing well. But it was Denbee’s all-round display, which saw him make tackles, cover acres of ground and look a threat offensively, which saw him come out on top. The flanker seemingly has endless amounts of energy to burn.

ROTHERHAM...10 PLYMOUTH ALBION...10

Saturday, October 25, 2008

PLYMOUTH ALBION

15 Nat Saumi (Ross Laidlaw 67)

14 Tom Jarvis (Arran Cruickshanks 64)

13 Keni Fisilau

12 Ross Allan (Arran Cruickshanks 22-28)

11 Justin Mensah-Coker

10 Kieran Hallett

9 Greg Nicholls

1 Martin Rice

2 James Owen (Graham Dawe 67)

3 Jane du Toit (Ryan Hopkins 67)

4 Colin Stewart (Wayne Sprangle 59)

5 Arthur Brenton (capt)

6 Sean-Michael Stephen

7 Mike Denbee

8 Gareth Evans

Reps not used: Matt Newman, Kyle Marriott

ROTHERHAM:15 Michael Whitehead, 14 Jon Feeley, 13 Tom Allen (Brad Hunt 72), 12 Chris Briers, 11 Errie Claassens (Nick Buckley 37), 10 Tom Barlow, 9 Neil Chivers, 1 Stuart Corsar, 2 Hugo Horn (Nigel Conroy 51), 3 Ben Prescott (Anton O’Donnell 50), 4 Greg Hayter (Sam Raven 67), 5 Louis McGowan (Matt Challinor 62), 6 Ryan Burrows, 7 Tinus Du Plessis, 8 Jon Skurr. Not used: Jonny West.

SCORERS

Rotherham: Try: Chivers; Con: Barlow; Pen: Barlow

Albion: Try: Cruickshanks; Con: Hallett; Pen: Hallett

CARDS

Yellow: Hayter (Rotherham) 33; Evans (Albion) 33; Challinor (Rotherham) 68

REFEREE: Adrian Hartwell (RFU)

ATTENDANCE:1,011

MAN OF THE MATCH – MIKE DENBEE

IT is tough to single anyone out from this game as it was a real team effort by Albion. However, if you were picking anyone it would have to be one of the back-row trio, who all worked overtime at Clifton Lane. And Denbee just gets the nod as he not only made tackle after tackle, but was also Albion’s biggest attacking threat – probably making more ground with the ball than any of player.

PLYMOUTH ALBION...26 MOSELEY...17

Saturday, October 18, 2008

PLYMOUTH ALBION

15 Nat Saumi

14 Tom Jarvis

13 Arran Cruickshanks (Ross Allan 68)

12 Keni Fisilau

11 Justin Mensah-Coker

10 Kieran Hallett

9 Greg Nicholls

1 Martin Rice

2 James Owen (Graham Dawe 74)

3 Jane du Toit (Ryan Hopkins 73)

4 Mike Lewis (Wayne Sprangle 40+3)

5 Arthur Brenton (capt)

6 Sean-Michael Stephen (Kyle Marriott 56)

7 Mike Denbee

8 Gareth Evans

Reps not used: Matt Newman, Ross Laidlaw

MOSELEY: Andy Binns (Daniel Norton 77), Nathan Bressington, Jack Adams, Andy Rear, Henry Trinder, Richard Vasey, Gareth Taylor (capt, rep by Jardie Pasqualin 59), Jan Thomas, Adam Caves (Dan Oselton 77), Nathan Williams, Ally Mulldowney, Richard Stott, Neil Mason (Mark Evans 51), Richard Bignell (Dan Williams 68), James Rodwell. Reps (not used): Terry Sigley, Paul Arnold

SCORERS

Albion:Tries: Jarvis, Evans; Cons: Hallett 2; Pens: Hallett 4
Moseley: Try: Rodwell; Pens: Vasey (3); DG: Vasey

CARDS

Yellow: Rodwell (Moseley) 39; Mason (Moseley) 40+1; Cruickshanks (Albion) 40+1

REFEREE: Ashley Rowden (RFU)

ATTENDANCE: 2,406

MAN OF THE MATCH – NAT SAUMI

THE utility back, who played full-back against Moseley, produced a superb all-round performance. Defensively assured and creative in attack, Saumi was the stand-out man on the pitch. Aside from his impressive display, his experience and on-the-pitch chat was invaluable for a young Albion side.

PLYMOUTH ALBION...14 EXETER CHIEFS...41

Saturday, October 11, 2008

PLYMOUTH ALBION

15 Nat Saumi (Ross Laidlaw 80)

14 Geoff Griffiths (Tom Jarvis 26)

13 Arran Cruickshanks

12 Keni Fisilau

11 Justin Mensah-Coker

10 Kieran Hallett

9 David Palu (Greg Nicholls 8)

1 Martin Rice

2 James Owen

3 Jane du Toit (Ryan Hopkins 51)

4 Mike Lewis

5 Arthur Brenton (capt)

6 Sean-Michael Stephen

7 Danny Thomas (Mike Denbee 53)

8 Gareth Evans (Kyle Marriott 53)

Not used: Graham Dawe

Reps not used: Greg Nicholls, Ross Laidlaw, Ross Allan.

EXETER:15 Sean Marsden, 14 Nic Sestaret, 13 Bryan Rennie (Mark Fatialofa 39, rep by Danny Gray 62), 12 Matt Cornwell, 11 Josh Drauniniu, 10 Gareth Steenson, 9 Clive Stuart-Smith (Ed Lewsey 60), 1 Dan Parkes (Chris Budgen 53), 2 Neil Clark (Sam Blythe 71), 3 John Andress, 4 Lewis Stevenson (Tom Skelding 74), 5 Dan Tuohy (Tom Hayes 78), 6 Tom Johnson (Dan Parkes 71-78), 7 Richie Pugh, 8 Richie Baxter (capt).

SCORERS

Albion: Try: Evans; Pens: Hallett (3)

Exeter: Tries: Johnson, Stevenson, Drauniniu, Sestaret, Cornwell; Cons: Steenson (5); Pens: Steenson (2)

CARDS

Yellow: Budgen (Exeter 70)

REFEREE: Rowan Kitt (RFU)

ATTENDANCE:6,871

MAN OF THE MATCH – JUSTIN MENSAH-COKER

The Canadian international winger had a lively game attacking wise. But it was his defensive display, particularly when under pressure, which really stood out on Saturday. The summer signing is really starting to find his feet at Albion and the club’s supporters will be hoping for more of the same from Mensah-Coker in the matches to come.

OTLEY..11 PLYMOUTH ALBION...31

Saturday, October 4, 2008

PLYMOUTH ALBION

15 Geoff Griffiths

14 Tom Jarvis

13 Arran Cruickshanks

12 Keni Fisilau

11 Justin Mensah-Coker

10 Kieran Hallett

9 David Palu

1 Martin Rice

2 James Owen (Gareth Evans 77)

3 Jane du Toit (Ryan Hopkins 56)

4 Colin Stewart

5 Arthur Brenton (capt)

6 Sean-Michael Stephen

7 Danny Thomas (Wayne Sprangle 77)

8 Kyle Marriott (Graham Dawe 80)

Reps not used: Greg Nicholls, Ross Laidlaw, Ross Allan.

OTLEY: 15 Ian Shuttleworth (Dan Smith 64), 14 Peter Wackett, 13 Luther Burrell, 12 Paul Mooney, 11 Rob Kitching, 10 Tom Rhodes, 9 Dave McCormack (capt, Tom Whittaker 80), 1 Steve Trethewey (Ryan Wederell 59-61), 2 James Parkes (Ben Steele 38), 3 Kris Fullman (Ryan Wederell 77), 4 Tom Denton, 5 Paul Williams, 6 Rob Baldwin (Nathan Bland 80), 7 Jacob Rowan, 8 Mike McCormish.

SCORERS

Otley: Tries: Kitching, Baldwin; Pens: Rhodes (2)

Albion: Tries: Cruickshanks, Fisilau, Mensah-Coker, Evans; Cons: Hallett (4); Pen: Hallett.

CARDS

Yellow: Keni Fisilau (74)

REFEREE: J P Doyle (RFU)

ATTENDANCE: 550

MAN OF THE MATCH – David Palu

The Tongan international scrum-half enjoyed an encouraging first start in English rugby. His strong running caused Otley a few problems, particularly second half, and he showed his experience at the scrums. He certainly did not look like a player making his full debut. You can vote for your man of the match at www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/albion

PLYMOUTH ALBION...24 LONDON WELSH...25

Saturday, September 27, 2008

 PLYMOUTH ALBION

15 Geoff Griffiths
14 Liam Gibson  (Kieran Hallett 40+7)
13 Arran Cruickshanks
12 Keni Fisilau 
11 Justin Mensah-Coker
10 Ross Laidlaw (Tom Jarvis 72)
9 Greg Nicholls   (David Palu 50)
1 Martin Rice 
2 Gareth Evans
3 Jané Du Toit  (James Tideswell 40, rep by Du Toit 75)
4 Mike Lewis 
5 Arthur Brenton (capt)
6 Sean-Michael Stephen
7 Danny Thomas (Wayne Sprangle 65)
8 Kyle Marriott  (Graham Dawe 72)
Not used:  Colin Stewart.

LONDON WELSH: 15 Ed Lewis-Pratt, 14  Paul Sampson,  13  Peter Murchie,  12   Paul Mackey, 11  Mark Odejobi (Aaron Hopkins 72), 10  Aled Thomas, 9 Nick Runciman (Allan Chiltern 52), 1 Dorian Williams (Charlie Beech 67), 2 Sunia Koto-Vuli (Dan George 64), 3 Aaron Liffchak, 4 Ben Thomas, 5 Mike Powell (capt), 6 Jon Mills (Charlie Beech 51-60, Hugo Ellis 60), 7 Tom Audley,  8 Tom Brown. Reps (not used): Dan Lloyd Jones, Tom Marks.

SCORERS

ALBION:  Tries: Griffiths, Rice, Sprangle. Cons: Laidlaw, Hallett (2). Pen: Laidlaw.
London Welsh: Tries: Brown, Koto-Vuli, Penalty Try. Cons: Thomas (2). Pen: Thomas. Drop-Goal: Thomas.

CARDS

London Welsh: Powell (39), Liffchak (46).

REFEREE

Adrian Hartwell (RFU).

ATTENDANCE

 2,602.

MAN OF THE MATCH - GARETH EVANS 

The versatile forward started the match at hooker and ended it in the back-row. His performance was not perfect – he produced two wayward line-out throws – but he made four superb attacking breaks and if his team-mates had supported him on one of those in the second half,  Albion would have  had another try. His energy and enthusiasm was enough to ensure he held off the challenge of Geoff Griffiths, who also had a fine game

NEWBURY...19 PLYMOUTH ALBION...11

Saturday, September 20, 2008

 PLYMOUTH ALBION

15 Geoff Griffiths 
14 Liam Gibson 
13 Arran Cruickshanks
12 Keni Fisilau  (Tom Jarvis 75)
11 Justin Mensah-Coker
10 Ross Laidlaw (Kieran Hallett 52)
9 Greg Nicholls  (David Palu 61)
1 Jané du Toit 
2 Graham Dawe
3 James Tideswell  (Martin Rice 33, Tideswell 40+9-42, 51-61)
4 Colin Stewart  (Mike Lewis 67)
5 Arthur Brenton (capt) (Mike Lewis 57-66)
6 Sean-Michael Stephen
7 Danny Thomas (Wayne Sprangle 75)
8 Kyle Marriott 
Replacement not used: Jamie Salter

NEWBURY: 15 Matthew Williams, 14 Andrew Henderson, 13 Spencer Wakeling (Jonathan Hylton 35),  12 Matthew Humphries, 11 Martin Nutt, 10 Gareth Griffiths, 9 Waylon Gasson, 1 Robert Green (Joel Burgess 75),  2 Paul Fincken (capt), 3 Thomas Fidler, 4 Ien Leigh-Ashcroft, 5 Ross Noonan, 6 Joseph Clark, 7 Sean Fox, 8 Scott Witcomb.  Reps (not used): Liam Perkins, Nicholas Morris, Gareth Williams, Charles Perry, Thomas Kessell.

SCORERS

Newbury: Tries: Fincken, Gasson. Pens: Griffiths (3).
Albion: Try: Hallett; Pens: Laidlaw (2)

CARDS

Newbury: Clark (Yellow 63)
Albion: Stephen (Yellow 69)

REFEREE

Terry Hall (RFU)

CLOCK WATCH

3 mins penalty by Newbury's Gareth Griffiths (3-0)

6 mins penalty by Newbury's Gareth Griffiths (6-0)

7 mins penalty missed by Albion's Ross Laidlaw

12 mins try by Newbury's Paul Fincken, conversion missed by Griffiths (11-0)

31 mins game held up for six minutes due to injury to Newbury's Spencer Wakeling

40+2 mins penalty by Albion's Ross Laidlaw (11-3)

40+9 mins penalty by Newbury's Gareth Griffiths (14-3)

HALF-TIME

41 mins penalty missed by Albion's Ross Laidlaw

45 mins penalty by Albion's Ross Laidlaw (14-6)

49 mins penalty missed by Newbury's Gareth Griffiths 

56 mins penalty missed by Albion's Kieran Hallett  

63 mins Newbury's Joe Clark sin-binned

69 mins Albion's Sean-Michael Stephen sin-binned

71 mins try by Newbury's Waylon Gasson, conversion missed by Griffith (19-6)

80+2 mins try by Albion's Kieran Hallett, Hallett missed conversion (19-11)

ALBION'S MAN OF THE MATCH  - GRAHAM DAWE

ALBION’S chairman of rugby was not even expected to be a replacement at Monks Lane, let alone start the match. Yet the 49-year-old gave everything he physically could after James Owen and Gareth Evans were both ruled out through injury and unavailability, respectively. Dawe’s line-out throws, aside from just one, were pin-point, while his commitment and work-rate were exemplary.

PLYMOUTH ALBION...47 MANCHESTER...6

Saturday, September 13, 2008

PLYMOUTH ALBION

15 Geoff Griffiths
14 Liam Gibson 
13 Arran Cruickshanks
12 Keni Fisilau  (Tom Jarvis 78)
11 Justin Mensah-Coker
10 Ross Laidlaw (Kieran Hallett 61)
9 Greg Nicholls  (David Palu 61)
1 Martin Rice 
2 Gareth Evans
3 James Tideswell  (Ryan Hopkins 70)
4 Colin Stewart 
5 Arthur Brenton (capt)
6 Mike Lewis   (Ed King 61)
7 Danny Thomas (Graham Dawe 70)
8 Mike Denbee (Wayne Sprangle 40+2)

MANCHESTER: B Coulbeck (C Parrott 40+1), G Wynne, A Wilson, S Rawlings (T Eaton 73), M O’Regan, R Wainwright, L Stringer (W Runciman 70), T Mantell (M Gadd 40), R Oxley (H Platt 73), N Flynn, D Collier (M Owen 38), E Norris, B Lloyd, G Dew, S Moss. Not used:  G Lewis

SCORERS

Albion: Tries: Nicholls, Fisilau, Griffiths, Gibson, Mensah-Coker, Sprangle; Cons: Laidlaw (2), Hallett (2); Pens: Laidlaw (3)
Manchester: Pens: Wynne (2)

CARDS
None

REFEREE
David Rose (RFU).

ATTENDANCE
 2,163

SCORING SEQUENCE

6 mins try by Albion's Greg Nicholls, converted by Ross Laidlaw (7-0)

13 mins penalty by Albion's Ross Laidlaw (10-0)

17 mins try by Albion's Keni Fisilau, missed conversion by Laidlaw (15-0)

20 mins try by Albion's Geoff Griffiths, conversion by Laidlaw (22-0)

24 mins penalty by Albion's Ross Laidlaw (25-0)

32 mins penalty by Manchester's Gareth Wynne (25-3)

40+4 mins penalty by Manchester's Gareth Wynne (25-6)

HALF-TIME

52 mins penalty by Albion's Ross Laidlaw (28-6)

74 mins try by Albion's Liam Gibson, Kieran Hallett converted (35-6) 

76 mins try by Albion's Justin Mensah-Coker, conversion missed  by Hallett (40-6)

80 mins try by Albion's Wayne Sprangle, converted by Hallett (47-6)

MAN OF THE MATCH - GREG NICHOLLS

PICKING a man of the match was a extremely tough  this week with a number of players having good games.
Geoff Griffiths had a great full debut at full-back which he capped with a stunning try, while Keni Fisilau put in some bone-crunching hits and made some telling breaks as well as adding a try of his own. But Nicholls probably just edged it for his vital contribution to Albion’s first two tries, which gave them the platform to secure the win. He scored the first one and made a great 50 metre break for Fisilau to score the second.

NOTTINGHAM...43 PLYMOUTH ALBION...19

Sunday, September 7, 2008

PLYMOUTH ALBION

15 Tom Jarvis (Geoff Griffiths 67)

14  Liam Gibson  

13 Arran Cruickshanks

12 Keni Fisilau

11 Justin Mensah-Coker

10 Kieran Hallett  (Alex Davies 73)

9 Greg Nicholls (David Palu 57)

1 Martin Rice

2  James Owen   (Gareth Evans 57)

3 Ryan Hopkins  (James Tideswell 57)

4 Colin Stewart

5 Arthur Brenton (capt Geoff Griffiths blood rep, 66-67)

6 Mike Lewis (Jamie Tripcony 62)

7 Danny Thomas  (Wayne Sprangle 25)

8 Mike Denbee

NOTTINGHAM: David Jackson, Andrew Savage   (Jack Cobden 46),  Rohaan Nirmalendran, Tim Molenaar     (Ben Thompson 62),  Alex Dodge, Tim Taylor, Tim Usasz  (Chris Pilgrim 51),  Matt Parr (Neil Fowkes 51),  Joe Duffey  (James Clark 65),  Nigel Hall, Lee Morley, Nic Rouse  (Sam McDonald 51),  Craig Hammond (capt), Luke Sherriff  (Dan Hemmingway 57),  Dan Montagu.

SCORERS

Nottingham: Tries: Jackson, Taylor, Sheriff, Rouse, Morley. Cons: Jackson (3). Pens: Jackson (4).

Albion: Tries: Fisilau, Cruickshanks. Pen: Hallett. Drop-Goals: Hallett (2).

SCORING SEQUENCE

4 mins penalty by Nottingham's David Jackson (3-0)
8 mins drop-goal by Albion's Kieran Hallett (3-3)
13 mins try by Nottingham's David Jackson, missed conversion by Jackson (8-3)
22 mins try by Nottingham's Tim Taylor, converted by Jackson (15-3)
28 mins drop-goal by Albion's Kieran Hallett (15-6)
33 mins penalty by Albion's Kieran Hallett (15-9)
37 mins try by Nottingham's Luke Sherriff, converted by Jackson (22-9)
40+1 mins try by Albion's Keni Fisilau, missed conversion by Hallett (22-14)

HALF-TIME
50 mins try by Nottingham's Nic Rouse, missed conversion by Jackson (27-14)
55 mins penalty by Nottingham's David Jackson (30-14)
61 mins penalty by Nottingham's David Jackson (33-14)
69 mins penalty by Nottingham's David Jackson (36-14)
77 mins try by Nottingham's Lee Morley, converted by Jackson (43-14)
80+2 mins try by Albion's Arran Cruickshanks, missed conversion by Alex Davies (43-19)

REFEREE

 Nick Williams (RFU).

ATTENDANCE
 1,170.

MAN OF THE MATCH - KIERAN HALLETT

The one bright spark for Albion on what was otherwise a day to forget. His two drop-goals were superb both in terms of awareness and execution. An encouraging debut, which may keep Ross Laidlaw out of the side for Saturday’s match at home to Manchester.

PLYMOUTH ALBION...13 COVENTRY 5

Saturday, August 30, 2008

PLYMOUTH ALBION

15 Tom Jarvis (Kieran Hallett 80)

14 Liam Gibson (Kieran Hallett, blood 76-80)

13 Arran Cruickshanks

12 Keni Fisilau (Geoff Griffiths 67)

11 Justin Mensah-Coker

10 Ross Laidlaw

9 Greg Nicholls (David Palu 80+4)

1 Martin Rice (James Tideswell, blood 20-24

2 James Owen

3 Ryan Hopkins (James Tideswell 80+4)

4 Colin Stewart (Mike Lewis 63

5 Arthur Brenton (capt)

6 Danny Thomas

7 Mike Denbee

8 Kyle Marriott (Gareth Evans 67)

Not used: Wayne Sprangle.

COVENTRY: 15 Lee Parry, 14 Sam Montague, 13 Ben Russell, 12 Ollie Winter, 11 Tom Slater, 10 Myles Dorrian, 9 Nathan Jones (Mike Walls 80), 1 Rob Dugard (David Maddocks 40), 2 Chris Whitehead, 3 Rudi Brits, 4 Carl Burgess, 5 Michael Walton, 6 Henno Venter (capt, (Gregor Thomas 80+3), 7 Darren Clayton (James Miller 56), 8 Laurence McGlone. Reps not used: Stewart Pearl, Ricky Whitehall, Howard Graham.

SCORERS:

Albion: Try: Hopkins. Con: Laidlaw. Pens: Laidlaw (2).

Coventry: Try: Slater.

CARDS: Coventry: Clayton (Yellow 33)

REFEREE: Keith Lewis (RFU).

ATTENDANCE: 2,898.

SCORING SEQUENCE

3 mins penalty miss by Albion's Ross Laidlaw

15 mins penalty miss by Albion's Ross Laidlaw

24 mins try by Albion's Ryan Hopkins, conversion by Ross Laidlaw (7-0)

27 mins try by Coventry's Tom Slater, missed conversion by Miles Dorrian (7-5)

32 mins Coventry's Darren Clayton sin-binned

HALF-TIME

71 mins penalty by Ross Laidlaw (10-5)

80+1 mins penalty by Ross Laidlaw (13-5)

80+8 mins missed penalty by Coventry's Myles Dorrian

MAN OF THE MATCH – GREG NICHOLLS

DEBUTANT Nicholls was a constant threat offensively for Albion. He made some blistering breaks, his passing was accurate and his awareness of both his team-mates and the opposition was flawless