Albion 19
Coventry 28

Sometimes writing the match report is a joy, but on other occasions it's not. I was devastated on Saturday and was on a real down but I have now to sit down and write the report that I would never wanted to write.

Albion's team performance was certainly the worst I have seen and several supporters caught me after the match, who have a longer history with the club than me to say the same. Added to this Sunday was the busiest day we have had on the message board in the 21 months we have been running with nearly 7,000 page hits. 

Graham Dawe in the programme suggested that we enjoy the rugby and the weather, with sun going behind the overcast skies it was had to enjoy either.

You don't mind it so much when you are beaten by a better side but to lose to a team that did not expect to win and even Cov supporters were expecting Albion to win by 10 - 20 points. There were some flashes of good performance from individuals and some poor performance at times but it seemed as though Coventry wanted the result more than Albion.

Albion have the players that should be able to compete with any team in the league but in the last two games have just not delivered the goods.  They move this Friday to play the second most difficult match of the season on paper when they play Donny away with limited travelling support due to the Friday evening kick-off. There are still a small number of places on the coach, so if you are interest contact Keith and book your place.

The Match

In the 6th and 9th minute of the match Albion had penalties in the Cov half and decided to kick towards the goal posts on both occasions and on both occasions Ross Laidlaw's kicks were not up to moment and the score remained 0 - 0.

With Albion not really in the match Cov pick up the first point from a run down the left hand touch line and an unconverted try in the 14th minute of the match.

It was not until the 33rd minute of the half before Albion made it onto the score sheet from a run down the left hand touch line by Nic Sestaret at the breakdown just 5 metres short of the line Adam Kettle, up in support kicked the ball over the line before dropping on the ball.  With the conversion Albion went into the lead.

Deep in extra time of the first half the ball was cleared near the Albion line that only made it to 10 metres out and Cov used the opportunity to use the catch and drive move to take the ball over in the corner.  The conversion kick had a good look at going through the posts and bounced of the inside of the right hand post to add insult to injury and take the half time score to 7 - 12.

Albion came out from the changing rooms slightly more motivated and in the 5th minute of the half took the ball over the line from a catch and drive move that gave James Owen the points. Albion go back in the lead with the conversion from Ross 14 -12.

Gully and Chris Lowrie were on the pitch before the 20 minutes were up and very soon Ben was penalised for use of the boot which resulted in Cov going back in the lead 14 -15.

With Albion under pressure on their own line Liam was forced to ground the ball after taking over his line for a 5 metre scrum to Cov. With Cov's number 8 breaking off the back of the scum he managed to make the line and take Cov further into the lead. 14 - 22 with the conversion. Cov add another three points from a drop goal 14 - 25.

In the second minute of extra time Liam Gibson picks up a try after Jannie Bornman picks the ball off the back of a scrum and passes the ball wide. With Ross off the pitch the kicking duties were handed to Brad Davies who failed to make the conversion. 19 - 25.

With the final kick of the match Coventry put another drop goal between the posts  and take away bonus point from Albion.

A sad day for Albion.  The only way for Plymouth now is up.  There will be a lot of work going on behind the scenes before Friday's match and Albion will probably have an up hill struggle to bring away the points from Doncaster.

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