Graham
Dawe's Plymouth Albion side will arrive at the Recreation Ground, Camborne, on
Sunday desperate for a victory. In
normal circumstances most would assume that being their present ninth place in
the league would surely guarantee them a place in the new 'Championship' next
season, but that is not the case, as this is no ordinary season. Plymouth Albion
have won only once in their last seven games and are anything but safe, and with
the bottom five clubs set for the drop, a dramatic conclusion to the season beckons.
The fate for Newbury, Sedgley Park, Otley and bottom-placed Manchester is already
sealed, but what about that twelfth spot? Well, it's certainly a sweat for Moseley,
Esher, Rotherham, Plymouth Albion and Coventry, who are in an intriguing mix.
There are a range of permutations to consider, with not
one of the teams mentioned guaranteed survival. The Devon side managed to secure
two precious bonus points at Esher last weekend, which should give them a lift
going into this Sunday's game, but more will be sought as they scrap for their
lives. There have been some cracking contests between the
teams over the years, with there every likelihood that it'll be no different this
weekend - which would certainly be appropriate on Easter Sunday! The
Pirates last played Plymouth Albion at the end of November, it a game at the Brickfields
that was within their grasp to win, but which was lost 20-12. The possession was
there, and for much of the match the Pirates promised much, but their cross border
rivals denied them when and where it mattered and ultimately deserved their victory
with an all-important try scored by flanker Wayne Sprangle. As
a slight aside, Sunday's game could also provide what it will be a contest within
a contest for five Canadian internationals likely to be on show. Representing
the Pirates could be scrum-half Ed Fairhurst, lock Mike Burak and prop Scott Franklin,
whilst in opposition could be fellow 'Canucks in the shape of wing Justin Mensah-Coker
and back-rower Sean-Michael Stephen. They all no doubt appreciate the intensity
that National One rugby provides, but will also already understand that derby
matches such as Sunday's take that intensity to another level. A
look back in time reveals that the Pirates first played Plymouth Albion in the
club's very first season, losing 11-3 at the Mennaye Field on the 12th January,
1946. A number of memorable games were inevitably played
in the years that followed, but especially so in the last decade when the teams
have competed at National Leagues level. Interestingly,
if we look back briefly to 1999-2000, the Pirates had just arrived in National
Two (South), joining Plymouth Albion who had just escaped relegation the season
before. It was a time when a resurgence was kick started at Albion's old Beacon
Park home, as ex-Bath and England hooker Graham Dawe, who will be 50 this September,
took over as Chairman of Rugby. With him at the helm he got them promoted from
what was then National Three (South) in 2001, and from National Two in 2002. We
joined them in National One a year later, when old rivalries were resumed, which
have continued ever since. Under Graham Dawe's tutelage
(with support of course from others), and as a player, the Plymouth Albion club
has seen gates rise from an average of 600 up to an average of well over 3,000,
with it not forgotten that the development of their Brickfields ground and that
of a number of players who have graced the Premiership has been witnessed along
the way. Sunday's opponents clearly have much to be proud
of, and they will be given a true sportingly welcome. Another great contest await
- it one not to be missed. | 
