Nobody can say it wasn’t exciting and sometimes for all the right reasons! Yet, despite a massive catchup drive in the last quarter, Albanians netted a disappointing two league points to remain in seventh place In National Two East.

However players seemed agreed that had a couple of lineouts turned out better the spoils would probably have gone to the visitors. The team can’t be faulted for the effort expended on a pitch better surfaced than anyone could have expected after biblical rainfall in the preceding days. But, as has been mentioned ad nauseam, the modern game is all about precision and tiny margins and those who take the trouble to act with total discipline and attention to detail tend to thrive. Everyone knows how difficult it is to achieve this.

The narrow loss notwithstanding the day was not without it’s rewards and Dan George’s lads can take pride in defence generally and attitude at broken play. The tight scrum did well against a bigger pack but much is now expected of these game forwards when the front rows collide.

After the initial, customary kicking exchanges an Albanian catch and drive was dotted down by Andrew Nurse ten minutes in and Greg Lound notched the conversion. Bury took advantage of OA lineout woes and Ben Cooper crossed after a midfield break. Charlie Reed improved.

Nathan Michelow tore over on the right after solid Albanian pressure but the conversion and a subsequent penalty attempt failed to trouble the scorer.

The second period was not as controlled as the first had been for either side but Reed narrowed the gap with a penalty after two minutes. He was also on hand to convert a brace by Matt Bursey in a ten minute spell which saw the hosts amass a lead they were not to lose.

Nurse began the Albanian fightback with scarcely five minutes to go and Michelow got his second after a serious leg injury to the unfortunate Alex Noot. We wish the fly half a speedy recovery.

Brian Quinn,

Roving Reporter