Albion edge league leaders in dramatic one-point win

IN an incredible game of rugby in National League One, Plymouth Albion scraped a one-point victory against top-of-the-league Rotherham Titans in a masterclass of scoreboard management. Despite the hideous conditions at the Brickfields ground, a crowd of 1,939 watched Albion edge the thrilling contest 22-21.

- By WILL PORTER Rugby correspondent

The opening half was a scrappy affair, with the harsh weather conditions at Brickfields affecting both sides. Albion began the brighter of the two, probing the top-of-the-league Rotherham Titans but failing to land the killer blow, with lineout issues and knock-ons halting promising attacks.

The first points didn't come until the 13th minute, when Iwan Jenkins slotted a long-range penalty to give Albion a 3-0 lead. Almost immediately after the restart, Rotherham showcased why they are the best in the league, exploiting the blind side off a maul and racing over for a score in the corner, expertly converted by Titans fly-half Lloyd Hayes.

The scrappiness of the affair resumed with both teams conceding a slew of penalties before Rotherham struck again through Isaac Shaw, who collected a cross-field kick to stretch the lead to 3-14. Albion, however, managed to wrestle back momentum in the closing stages of the half, repeatedly turning pressure into points through Jenkins’ reliable boot. His penalties reduced the deficit to 5 at the break, with the Titans leading 14-9.

As the second half got underway, it was clear that the halftime message focused on the lack of open-field kicking. Jenkins began to utilise the old faithful up-and-under to good effect in the swirling conditions.