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Geoff Says

| 24/03/2019

Albion director of rugby Geoff Sluman admitted that the teams 18-0 defeat at top of the table Okehampton was slightly frustrating.

“We put in a good performance but didn’t get any reward, however Okehampton are not the league leaders and unbeaten at home all season for no reason. The difference though, was probably just a couple of swings in play.

“Okehampton took advantage of all of their two try scoring opportunities and they achieved tries from each. We also had two try scoring opportunities but we were held up over the try line for one and we knocked the ball on for the other so we didn’t convert our opportunities.

“It was a very close game which the score line does not really reflect. Late in the game we had opportunities to slot over a couple of penalties just to put a score on the board. That wouldn’t have got us near getting any bonus points so we went for the tries but sadly it just didn’t come off.”

Geoff went on: “The positives are, we played the league leaders, a team that will be playing in a higher league next season, and gave them a good contest. We were definitely “in the game” and somewhat unfortunate to come away with the result we did.

“We have definitely improved since our match against Okehampton back in November when we lost 16-61 at home. There are no miracle cures or magic tricks and the improvements are down to everyone’s hard work and commitment – we are still heading in the right direction. We remain in fourth position in the league.”

The First XV may have lost, but Sluman is delighted with the way that the Second XV are playing this season.

“Our second team continue their good run, winning their tenth game in a row by beating Old Sullians in Tribute Somerset One by 39-13. The Second XV are in third place in the league but the teams around them have games in hand so I think they will have a relative fourth place league position too.”

This coming weekend Albion are at home to fifth placed St Ives with the match kicking off at 3pm, whilst the Second XV are without a match. 

“We lost away to St Ives back in the first week of December by 44-30, but as I said we have improved so it should be a good game. They were a big physical group of forwards with quick backs, but we understand what we have to do and the motivation is definitely still within the squad and if anything growing stronger.”

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Category: Previews / Reports -XV

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