Albion’s home record still intact as Park defeated
PLYMOUTH Albion maintained their unbeaten home record this season with a fine five try to three victory over second-in-the table Darlington Mowden Park.
Plymouth fully deserved their win but it was only late in the second half that they pulled away from a Darlington side who defended well, particularly on their try line.
Darlington will no doubt be disappointed with the number of needless penalties they gave away against a Plymouth side who dominated the game both in terms of territory and possession.
Plymouth skipper Dan Williams said: “In recent weeks we have fallen short but today we were more pro active and played the game the way we wanted to.
“We kept control of the ball very well in the second half and cracks started to appear in Darlington’s defence.
“We are pleased with that performance and it was good to get the bonus point against a team second in the table.”
On a Brickfields pitch that was in good condition, Plymouth dominated the early exchanges but a mistake in midfield led to Darlington taking the lead.
A loose ball on halfway was kicked through and after a maul under the posts prop Adam Brocklebank forced his way over with fly half Warren Seals converting.
A superb covering tackle by Plymouth wing Matt Crosscombe prevented a second Darlington try before the home side levelled matters.
After declining a simple kick at goal Plymouth opted to put the ball into the corner.
Darlington held up a number of forward drives before a long miss pass
enabled Crosscombe to power over in the corner.
Fly-half Harvey Skinner tied the scores with a fine conversion from the touchline.
Plymouth started the second half on the front foot and took the lead when centre Seta Raumakita crossed for an unconverted try.
Darlington hit back and regained the lead when centre Garry Law scored a fine individual try to which Seals added the extras.
Albion then put Darlington under pressure and after turning down another kickable penalty they got their noses in front when lock Ed Holmes crossed with Skinner converting.
Plymouth secured the bonus point when prop Jack Owlett scored in the corner before Holmes added a second try which Skinner again converted successfully.
Darlington got a late consolation try when centre Ben Frankland forced his way over but it was too little too late.
Darlington Mowden Park director of rugby Danny Brown said: “Fair play to Plymouth who played well but I thought we were on the wrong end of a lot of calls.
“Although we defended well we made a lot of errors out there.
“In the second half we only had about 20 per cent possession and just couldn’t keep Plymouth out.”