BARFC 2nds 44, St Bernadettes Old Boys 12 (05/11/16)

Albion’s United XV quickly bounced back from defeat at Oldfield in the previous week to in the end soundly defeating St Bernadettes Old Boys who were making only their second visit to College Way.  This gave Albion their fifth win of the season against four defeats and this should stand them in good stead for the remainder of the first half of the season which will see this side play three of the top sides in quick succession.

Albion started very well with the visitors fumbling the kick-off and placing themselves immediately in trouble.  The Albion pack took the ball to the line and scrum-half Franklin dived over for the opening score after just two minutes.  Bernadettes’ No. 8 made good ground up the blind side to win a penalty for his side which was kicked to touch.  They then retained the ball well and after some good passing and some flimsy Albion defence, levelled the scores with a try.  Once again Bernadettes fumbled the kick-off and unbelievably they did so for a third time later as well as kicking one of their own restarts directly into touch.  Albion immediately hit back as Brakes pounced on the loose ball to make good ground.  Albion’s pack rumbled from the ensuing line-out and Ranson was at the bottom of the pile to secure the second try.  Hill’s conversion hit the post.  Albion then produced another flowing move but the try was lost with the final pass being forward.  In the 25^th minute Albion lost the ball in midfield and the Bernadettes’ centre swooped and ran in 40 metres unopposed to the posts for a try which was converted to give the visitors a 12-10 lead.  The hat trick of kick-off misses enabled Albion to get right back in the game and with Devitt always prepared to run from the back, Albion’s handling was quick and slick.  When the ball came back from the loose, sweet passing along the line saw Devitt intervene to score and for Hill to convert to restore Albion’s lead.  Albion threatened to score again before half-time but the visitors’ defence just held.

Ten minutes into the second half Albion were attacking strongly and were awarded a penalty in front of the posts which Hill duly converted to extend the lead.  Bernadettes drove back but Albion’s defence denied them and soon the forwards took the ball well into the visitors’ half and from further loose play they released Devitt for his second try of the afternoon.  In the 60^th minute Kerry made a neat half-break which ended with Sluman crashing over for Hill to add the extras.  Albion were now rampant and from a further penalty and the boring catch and drive with Buller particularly in the van, Ranson secured the ball to score his second with Hill converting.  In the final few minutes, Kerry burst through and kept running through the gap for a fine solo try.

Albion demonstrated the benefits of soaking up the pressure which the visitors exerted during the first half and then took full command after the interval.  The pack drove well in both tight and loose with Page-Symonds well to the fore.  The outsides always had the better of their opponents and prolonged handling moves between backs and forwards ate into the visitors’ defence, so much so that they could not stop the second half deluge.  Mind you, the visitors were reduced to 14 men when one of their players was sent off for a dangerous tackle but by then, Albion were taking the initiative.

Team:  Devitt;  Brakes  Lang  JH Hill  K Windsor;  Drabble  Franklin;  G Sluman  Urbonis  Straddling  Page-Symonds  Lewis  MR Ranson  Knight  Woolford.  Replacements:  (all used) Buller  W Kerry  Euian Trebble-Westlake.

Scorers – tries – Franklin  Ranson (2)  Devitt (2)  Sluman  Kerry.  Conversions: Hill (3).

Penalty: Hill.

H-T  12-17

Category: 2nd Previews / Reports -XV, 2nd XV News