Albion display promising signs

PLYMOUTH Albion Director of Rugby Damien Welch did his diplomatic best to hide his emotions in last week's post-match interview following Albi's game with Sale.

The big man did well, but could not hide his disappointment and frustration following a hugely competitive encounter with the league leaders.

Competitive National League rugby had returned to the Brickfields last Saturday - and how!

Albi were on fire, deservedly building a 23-13 lead well into the second half. The sun was shining, Albi's crowd were in full voice and Sale were well and truly on the back foot.

Just when a famous victory looked firmly on the cards, a series of events outside Albion's control swung the initiative and a three-point lead to a well-drilled Sale.

Credit to the Greater Manchester side, they held firm to their system, finding their way to a late 24-27 lead when all had seemed lost.

With the clock close to full-time, Albion powered back into the fray pounding the Sale line seeking the winning try they deserved. In the event, yet another penalty was gifted to a struggling Sale defence. The sale kicked the ball dead and maximum league points were going north.

There were certainly mixed emotions after the game. Sale players and supporters were visibly relieved to have wrestled a win that had looked beyond them for most of the game. Albion players and fans were beyond disappointed and hugely frustrated to see the result they deserved taken from them by factors outside their control. This is, however, the world of elite level sport where there are winners and losers.