Rams will give winless Albion stern home test

WITH two losses to their name at the start the season, Plymouth Albion face a stern test with the visit of unbeaten Rams today (KO 3pm).

The mystery that needs resolving pretty quickly by the coaching staff is how to inspire second half performances to match the first.

Currently, Albion’s first half scorecard reads 27-14 while the second half is 0-31, with the added negative of five yellow cards to boot. Although discipline is certainly a contributing factor to the below par second halves, there is certainly a bit more that needs to be put right at the Brickfields.

Both in their first season coaching National One rugby, Damian Welch and Ryan Lamb certainly have pedigree in playing the game and its fair to say the team has shown real glimpses of quality, but consistency for the full 80 is what is needed now.

Last season, the club found the season opening to be equally tough going - losing five of their first six games - before really hitting their straps with 11 consecutive wins!

One thing Albion have undeniably improved since the lockdown is attendance, with a 16% uplift on attendance compared to pre-Covid crowds and hopes are high for another bumper turnout today.

Welch acknowledged the support the team enjoys: “We owe it to the to put a complete performance in this weekend.

“After working in fits and starts, both the players and coaching staff know what we need to do and this weekend is the perfect opportunity to put out learns into action.”

Standing in their way is Readingbased Rams, a team whose game is built on a powerful scrum and close driving play.

They have beaten Cambridge (2834) and newly-promoted Tonbridge Juddians (24-13) in their opening two fixtures and, having finished above Albion last term, there is no doubt they’ll be targeting a win.

On the team front, Torin Clarke is set to make his debut in the run-on side. Having joined this term from Launceston, Clarke has impressed in training and joins James Mcfarland as another local player stepping up to the National League stage.

Additionally, Fijian powerhouse Setareki Raumakita is back following a rib injury that kept him out of the season opening fixtures.

Albion XV v Rams RFC, Brickfields 3pm

Albion: Danny Southworth, Jamie Salter, James McFarland, Shek Sherrif, Torin Clarke, Jake Clemson, Alex Sheridan, Herbie Stupple, Henry Clement, Tom Putt, Alex Ducker, Jeremy To’a, Robbie Weeks, Frankie Nowell, Phil Jones, Max Norey, Ramaz Rukhadze, Dan Collier, Olly Mulberry, Setareki Raumakita