Albion 19
Chiefs 28

The Chiefs made everything of their opportunity to to rub the Albion noses in the non existent mud as they took the 4 league points and start the campaign promotion to the premiership. Having said that like last season the match was close and the winner was not really decided until the last few minutes of the match.

With Danny Gray dropping three goals taking the advantage of open play he made the difference to the result as it had when we travelled to Camborne last season in the EDF competition. 

With bright sunshine and a very hot day for this summer the newly opened Redrow East Stand was well used and gave excellent views from the top, almost a birds eye view. No oxygen masks were provided but may be introduced if sufficient requests are made. (Don't email me)

The match started on a high for Exeter almost from the kick-off.  Emyr Lewis attempted to catch a  high ball in front of his posts and with a challenge from Exeter he lost the ball forward straight into the hands of Chris Lowrie. I thought that this would have been a knock on or forward pass, and therefore a scrum awarded but the referee awarded a penalty, which Danny Gray converted to three points.

Exeter thought they were going to pick up a try, in the 5th minute, from a loose ball but Arran Cruickshanks claims the ball and recycles to spoil there opportunity.

The scores were brought back level, in the 7th minute, after Chiefs were penalised at the scrum and Ross Laidlaw kicked from 40 metres out and 15 metres left of the posts. 3 - 3

A kicking opportunity in the 10th minute went begging from the left hand touch line on the 22.

In the 13th minute the same situation happened that gave Exeter their first points happened in the same place at the other end of the pitch and Ross had no hesitation in taking Albion into the lead. 6 - 3.

Albion only stayed in front before they were penalised on their own 10 metre line and this time the kick went high and true to collect the 3 points. 6 - 6

The match was physically hard and in the 22 minute of the match one of the Fatialofa brothers was seen to be more physical than normally allowed with Nigel Cane. The referee spoke at length to both players before continuing with the match.

As we approached the half hour Exeter were awarded  a penalty and kicked for the left touch line for a 5 metre throw in. They attempted the catch and drive without success but then quickly recycled the ball, with no cover on the other side of the pitch the ball was kicked into the corner for Jason Duff to collect and score. Despite kicking from the touch line the extra 2 points were added. 13 - 6.

In the 33rd minute Albion were reduced to 14, when Steve Barretto was shown the yellow card. It was unclear what the offence was but captain Tom Hayes had been warned about infringements not long before. The resulting penalty added another 3 points to the Chiefs score.

Albion did not stay a man down for long as the Chiefs loose head John Andress was also shown the yellow card.

Albion made a number of attempts on the line but on the third attempt the pack went over by the touch line for James Owen to score. With some supporters on the way to the refreshment outlets Ross had to pull the 22 metre flag out of the ground to give him a clear approach at the ball.  It was worth it and the ball went through the posts. 13 - 16.

 No changes were made to either side at half time and both loose heads were still off the pitch when the teams came back from the dressing rooms. Steve only had to wait for one play before he was back on the pitch and now Albion had the man up.

With just 2 minutes of the second half gone Arran Cruickshanks picks up an interception on Exeter's 10 metre and makes progress before passing out to Nic Sestaret  who was disappointingly bundled into touch inches from the line.

Chiefs captain Richard Baxter was penalised on his 10 metre line and spoken to at length by the referee who started to adjust his radio, some thinking he was reaching for his yellow card again but a simple penalty was considered enough.  With Jannie Bornman and Adam Kettle just inside the field of play receiving treatment Ross Laidlaw took his minute to collect another 3 points and level the score. 16 - 16.

The sides are now level as John Andress returns to the pitch play restarts with Jannie still down being treated. Jannie is soon up and continues his match. But a large cheer goes up on the 8th minute of the second half when the Albion scrum halfs are exchanged.

The 11th minute sees the the first of three drop goals from 30 metres out with Danny Gray making space. 16 - 19.

Jannie Bornman was again being treated for a blood injury on the side line but no replacement was ready to take his place. By the time Kyle Marriott came on as blood replacement Jannie had been bandaged up and was back on the pitch before play could be restarted.

As we approach the hour mark Wihan Neethling came on for ex Newbury winger Liam Gibson. Emyr moves to the wing with Wihan dropping back to his usual position from last season at full back.

The 22nd minute saw Albion concede a penalty in front of their posts and 15 metres out but either for dissent or being slow to retreat Exeter were given an extra 10 metres. Danny Gray added yet another three points to his total. 16 - 22.

Albion spent what seemed like 5 minutes towards the end of the match in the Chiefs 22, picking and placing the ball a foot or two at a time but when they were within the 2 metres of the line Steve Barretto was judged to held onto the ball at the ruck and Exeter were given a get out of jail free card.

 With 10 minutes left on the clock Kyle Marriott finally makes it onto the pitch for real when he replaces Chris Lowrie. George Davis also makes it on the pitch against his old club when he replaces Steve Barretto. 

With only 6 minutes left now and a penalty in front of the posts Ross reduces the gap to just three points but within the minute Danny Gray kicks his second drop goal. to take the gap back to 6 points 19 - 25 the ball did think about whether or not to go over as it bounced on the cross bar before creeping over the posts.

Danny was not going to let Albion go away with a single point from the match when he dropped his third from 40 metres out. 19 - 28.

Richard Oxley, last seasons first choice hooker was finally allowed on to the pitch in the 83rd minute of the match but he had no time to make any difference to the result.

The Albion players were devastated and it showed, it could have been a win for Albion but it was not to be. To be honest, Exeter seemed to want it more but it was the boot of Danny Gray that made the difference.

It is only the second match of the season as as one poster on the messageboard the final winner of the league will probably lose three or four matches on the way. Albion now need to pick themselves up and brush themselves down and start al over again as they travel to Birmingham next to play Pertemp Bees.

Photos to follow.

Team: Emyr Lewis, Liam Gibson, Arran Cruickshanks, Brad Davies, Nic Sestaret, Ross Laidlaw, Nigel Cane, Tim Mathias, James Owen, Steve Barretto, Ben Gulliver, Tom Hayes, Chris Lowrie, Jannie Bornman, Adam Kettle Replacements: Richard Oxley(used), Ed Lewsey(used), Wihan Neethling(used), George Davis(used), Ross Allen, Colin Stewart, Kyle Marriott(used)

Scorers :- Tries James Owen Penalties 4x Ross Laidlaw Conversions Ross Laidlaw Sin Bin Steve Barretto

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