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Plymouth Albion v Moseley,
at Brickfields, National League Division 1,
Saturday, March 29th 2008, k.o. 3.00 pm |
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For more than seven hundred years Plymouth’s fortunes have been linked to
the sea. Here began the voyages of the great Elizabethan sailors, Raleigh,
Frobisher and Sir Francis Drake, who defeated the Spanish Armada in 1588.
The Pilgrim Fathers sailed from Plymouth in 1620, as did the explorer and
map maker James Cook in 1772. In the Second World War the Naval Dockyard at
Devonport was the largest dockyard in Great Britain.
Plymouth Albion Rugby Club was formed in 1876 by a group of apprentices from
the dockyard. Rather than take the name ‘Devonport’, such was their
enthusiasm and confidence that they called the club ‘Plymouth’ and added
‘Albion’ to emphasise British patriotism in a predominantly naval area.
Plymouth’s supporters rouse their team to action with the ‘Plymouth Drum’.
The club’s ambition was evident when it was moved to Brickfields Stadium at
Brickfields Recreation Ground in 2003-2004, back to the Devonport roots
after 84 years at Beacon Park.
Promotion to National League One was achieved at the end of the 2001-02
season and a ninth place was subsequently earned in the club’ first season
in the higher division. Since then the club has never been less than sixth
and in both seasons 2003-04 and 2004-05 the Albion came third.
Such an impressive string of results could only have been achieved by a
full-time professional team backed by strong support. Plymouth’s home gates
regularly exceed three thousand - and well over five thousand for games
against the Cornish Pirates.
Last season (2006-07) Nicholas Sestaret, Plymouth’s 25-year-old French
winger, played in every match and scored thirty Cup and League tries. The
twenty-eight he scored in the League was a National League One record.
Moseley beware!
The Devonians currently rank eighth in the division having won eleven
matches so far. In the match at Billesley last November they beat Moseley
29-10 although many Plymouth supporters confided afterwards that that
scoreline perhaps flattered their team.
The results of Plymouth’s last four matches are:
16th Feb v Coventry Away Lost 10-29
1st March v Doncaster Home Lost 11-15
8th March v Rotherham Away Lost 22-34
22nd March v Sedgley Park Home Won 25-19
Moseley’s last two performances have had an element of “demob happiness” to
them even though there are undoubtedly players contracts still to secure for
next season. A much improved performance will be necessary if the season is
not to end on a low note after so many good performances away from home
during the current campaign.
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