Swansea 36-33 Plymouth Albion
Match Report by Paul Tabram
In one of the best pre-season friendlies for many seasons, Swansea edged an 11-try thriller with the final play of the match. Both teams looked to entertain on Swansea University’s 4G pitch and much credit must go to both teams in a fast-paced, high-octane encounter.
In a lively start it was the hosts that started the brightest, looking to move the ball at every opportunity but a succession of charge-downs from the base of the ruck was nearly their un-doing as Albion knocked on with the line at their mercy.
Swansea gained a penalty after Albion were holding on and the kick to the corner, and catch and drive almost saw Tommy Connolly open the scoring. However, the referee judged that the ball was held up. But, Swansea were not to be denied as from the drop out, the ball went through the backs for Kai Inker to score under the posts. Josh Phillips added the extras.
Shortly after the re-start, Plymouth were penalised for offside and Josh Phillips kicked again to the corner but scrambling defense by Albion saw them kick to touch. Quick thinking by Matt Protheroe from the line-out and a ‘1-2’ with a fellow Swansea back, saw him race under the posts for Swansea’s second try. Josh Phillips then converted to put the hosts into a commanding 14-0 lead.
After the water break, Plymouth started to come into the match and Swansea began to lose some of their discipline. A catch and drive by Albion saw them rumble forward dangerously only for the ball to be knocked-on at the back of the maul. However a misguided clearance kick by the home side gave Plymouth an opportunity to attack and Noah Fenton opened their account with a try that was converted by Harry Legg.
A penalty for not rolling away gave Plymouth Albion another crack at the Swansea line and from a set play, an inside ball to Sam Daly saw the visitors gain their second try of the afternoon. The easy conversion by Harry Legg levelled the scores at 14-14. Swansea’s penalty count was now starting to get worrying as they infringed again after a smart move by Plymouth close to the line. In the final play of the half, they decided to run the ball instead of going for the set-scrum and Swansea managed to hold the ball up over the line as the referee blew up for the half-time oranges!
Half-Time – Swansea 14-14 Plymouth Albion
With the momentum now firmly in Plymouth Albion’s favour, two more tries came in fairly quick succession one from their dangerous back-line and another from Harry Wilkinson. Ben Saunders converting one and missing another which proved costly later in the match. Plymouth now led by 12 but Swansea were not to be outdone.
The home side turned the ball over from the kick-off and after a move between forwards and backs, Harvey James sped over to narrow the scores to 19-26. The conversion went wide. Then after the final water break, Swansea moved the ball down the short-side through Jake Roberts, Matthew Aubrey and Ieaun Bissell before handing on to Brandon Wood to touch down in the corner. Swansea were now back within two points at 24-26.
Plymouth managed to get their fifth try after indiscipline by the Whites and a catch and drive forced the visiting pack over that looked to have sealed the match. Saunders’ conversion making the score 24-33 with just five minutes left on the clock. However, as we have seen in recent times, you can never keep a good ‘All Whites’ team down.
Firstly, a move from a set scrum that went through many hands gave Brandon Wood his second try of the afternoon. Luke Price missing the conversion. 29-33! Then with the last play of the match another scrum saw Matthew Aubrey take the blind-side option and eventually Wood went over for his hat-trick to seal the match in favour of the hosts. Luke Price added the conversion for Swansea to sneak the match by three points.
Both coaches will have plenty to work on during the week and will be pleased with the run-out in hot conditions.
Full-Time – Swansea 36-33 Plymouth Albion
Swansea now travel to Richmond next Saturday for their final pre-season friendly whilst Albion host the Cornish Pirates.
Swansea
15 Matt Protheroe
14 Harvey James
13 Joe Thomas
12 Ieuan Bissell
11 Brandon Wood
10 Josh Phillips (CC)
9 Kai Inker
1 Dafydd Davies
2 Tommy Connolly
3 Ellis Fackrell
4 Theo Currie
5 Matthew Dodd (CC)
6 Cai Howell
7 Ethan Fackrell
8 Jacob Hopkins
Replacements (Rolling During The Match)
16 Osian Oliver
17 Morgan Jones
18 Cai Arnold
19 Nathan Jills
20 Tom Crockett
21 Iwan Temblett
22 Matthew Aubrey
23 Luke Price
24 Chris Thompson
25 Jake Roberts
26 Evan Jones
27 Sam Cawsey
28 Jayden Maybank
Plymouth Albion
1st Half
15 Bobby Wiggington
14 Oscar Stewart
13 Chris Preen
12 Archie Hill
11 Noah Fenton
10 Harry Legg
9 Morgan Stone
1 James Kenny
2 Harry Wilkinson
3 Dan Pullinger
4 Morgan Eames
5 Huw Taylor (c)
6 Angus Hodges
7 Sam Daly
8 Ben Moa
2nd Half
15 Henry Sellick
14 Bobby Wiggington
13 Jack Statton
12 Chris Preen
11 Morgan Stone
10 Ben Saunders
9 Jack Oulton (c)
1 Liam Bishop
2 Max Surry
3 Harvey Courtis
4 Jake Clemson
5 Hudson Edkins
6 Charlie Crawley
7 Jake Bond
8 Angus Hodges
Scores
Swansea
Tries – Brandon Wood (3), Kai Inker, Matt Protheroe & Harvey James
Conversions – Josh Phillips (2), Luke Price
Plymouth Albion
Tries – Noah Fenton, Sam Daly, Max Surry, 2 other try scorers unknown.
Conversions – Harry Legg (2), Ben Saunders (2)
Venue – Swansea University Playing Fields, Sketty Lane
Weather – Hot!
Attendance – 350