This was a match which put Albanians in a stronger position than they had enjoyed before. Yet it took a full hour of intense activity before any real idea of supremacy was established.
As so often this season OAs set off with the best intentions and put the start of a decent advantage on the board. Mike Bond had led the side out to celebrate his 50th. cap for the club and with six minutes gone a great break from George Kingswell-Watts helped to give Chris West an overlap wide on the left. Dan Watt converted. Flynn Elworthy obliged with the equalising score 4 minutes later and Jacob Murphy converted.
Just before the end of the first quarter Dan Watt had a try disallowed but Elliott McPhun charged over after continued OA pressure for Watt to convert.
Alex Noot obliged with an unconverted try just before the break.
The third quarter was scoreless but then, after much inaction Elliott McPhun fed Jarryd Payne who crossed by the posts.Watt improved.
Barnstaple then spent fully ten minutes in attack and this was repelled by staunch Albanian defence. Then Kyran McManus put a smart grubber behind the Albanian backs and Ryan Lee touched down to bring the score difference to 12..
Then all hell broke loose. Ben Charnock tore over fro fully sixty metres and George Snell replied for the visitors.
Chris West got on the end of a Nico Defeo pass before Charnock showed a clean pair of heels to the Barnstaple defence.
Reporter
