Albion given a tough work-out by St Austell

PLYMOUTH Albion competed their final preseason fixture prior to the start of the 2025-26 season, taking on St Austell RFC who currently compete in the Tribute Ale Region One South West Division. Friday night at Brickfields, with a healthy number of home supporters on hand saw the two sides take to the field with the sun still shining. The wind and rain from the previous night’s storm seem to have little effect on the pitch as both teams were looking to head into their forthcoming seasons on something of a high note.

- By PABLO CHEEJS

The opening ten minutes was a lively affair, and despite there being no score, Albion piled on the pressure and managed to maintain territorial advantage. Some gallant defending by St Austell and one or two unforced errors by the home side left the fans waiting for the first points of the game. Points which would follow at the fifteen minute mark, after a fantastic run by Ben Saunders, which led to a penalty with Saunders opting to kick to touch deep inside the St Austell twenty two.

The subsequent line-out led to the Plymouth Albion ruck driving toward the line until Gabe Mead emerged from the pack to put the ball down for Albion’s first try. Saunders then narrowly missed the kick from a tricky angle, before play resumed. Following the try, St Austell turned up the tempo and enjoyed some promising possessions, yet were still unable to creep too far beyond the half way line.

Just before the half hour mark however, it was Albion who put the pressure on and were rewarded by a well worked try, as the number 12 Billy Orchard sprinted to the try line on the wing after a well worked overlap and managed to finally put the ball down under the posts, giving Ben Saunders a simple kick for the two point conversion.