Fixtures
Albion aim to keep title pressure on leaders Rotherham as Rams visit Brickfields in the annual St Luke’s Men’s Day Out and could be the club’s highest attendance in 15 years.
Plymouth Albion return to Brickfields this Saturday knowing that every match now carries
significant weight in the closing stages of the National One campaign. With only a handful of
rounds remaining, the Devon club sit second in the table, five points behind leaders Rotherham
Titans, and are determined to maintain the pressure at the summit while also protecting a
valuable top two position that would bring home advantage in the playoffs.
Standing in their way this weekend are Rams, currently sixth in the division but still firmly in
contention for a playoff spot themselves. With both sides chasing ambitious end-of-season
goals, the meeting at Brickfields promises to be a fiercely contested encounter between two
teams capable of producing high-quality attacking rugby.
Albion have been one of the form teams in National One throughout the second half of the
season. A remarkable winning run earlier in the campaign helped propel them into the title race
and demonstrated the squad’s resilience in tight contests as well as their ability to score freely
when momentum swings their way.
During that sequence, Albion recorded several statement victories, including a dominant 41–10
triumph over Rosslyn Park and a convincing away win at Dings Crusaders, performances built
on a powerful forward platform and clinical finishing in the backs.
That consistency has left them firmly entrenched near the top of the standings. After 21 matches
Albion have won 17 games and accumulated 86 points, leaving them five behind leaders
Rotherham while also maintaining breathing space over the chasing pack.
For Albion supporters, the challenge now is maintaining momentum through the final stretch of
the campaign. While the title remains within reach, the immediate focus will be securing a strong
playoff position, with a second-place finish particularly valuable given the home advantage it
brings.
A key factor in Albion’s success this season has been the contribution of several standout
performers across the squad. Fly-half Iwan Jenkins has been instrumental, sitting among the
division’s leading points scorers and providing composure and control in the pivotal playmaking
role.
Behind the scrum, scrum-half Jack Oulton has continued to underline his reputation as one of
the league’s most influential number nines. His quick distribution and sharp decision-making
have helped Albion play at tempo, while his knack for supporting attacking moves and quick
thinking has brought several tries during the campaign.
Out wide, winger Bobby Wigginton has been another major attacking threat. His finishing ability
has seen him rank among the league’s leading try scorers, regularly turning pressure into points
for the Brickfields outfit. In the pack, Albion’s strength has often been built on physical dominance at the set piece and
around the breakdown. Props such as Jenson Boughton and a hardworking back row have
helped provide the platform that allows the backs to flourish.
While Albion has enjoyed an impressive run of results, Rams arrive in Plymouth with ambitions
of their own. The Berkshire club sit sixth in the National One table with 64 points and remain
within striking distance of the playoff positions.
Their season has been characterised by moments of attacking flair combined with a willingness
to challenge the league’s top sides. With 11 wins from 21 matches, Rams have shown they are
capable of upsetting teams above them and will see Saturday’s fixture as an opportunity to
strengthen their push for a late surge into the postseason places.
Among the players to watch for the visitors is prolific try-scorer Max Hayman, who has been one
of the division’s most dangerous finishers this season and sits among the top try scorers in
National One.
At fly-half, Michael Cooke has also been influential, ranking among the league’s leading points
scorers and providing a reliable goal-kicking option that has kept Rams competitive in tight
encounters.
The earlier meeting between the two sides this season went Albion’s way, with the Devon outfit
securing a 34-15 victory on the road in Berkshire thanks to a composed all-round display.
However, Rams will take encouragement from their attacking potential and the knowledge that a
victory at Brickfields could dramatically reshape the playoff race.
For Albion, the message is simple: keep winning and maintain the chase. The squad have
already demonstrated their ability to string together results under pressure, but they are also
aware that the margins at the top of the table remain tight and that any slip could allow rivals to
close the gap.
With a strong home crowd expected at Brickfields, the stage is set for a high-stakes National
One contest. Albion will hope their blend of forward power, tactical control and attacking
sharpness proves enough to keep the title pursuit alive.
Rams, meanwhile, will arrive determined to spoil the party and strengthen their own postseason
ambitions.
Either way, supporters in Plymouth can expect a compelling afternoon of rugby as two ambitious
sides collide with plenty still riding on the outcome.
Albion squad in full:1. Liam Bishop
2. Rhys Williams
3. Harry Wilkinson
4. Freddie Stevenson
5. Joel Broadhurst
6. Huw Taylor
7. Angus Hodges
8. Ben Moa
9. Jack Oulton (cc)
10. Iwan Jenkins
11. Noah Fenton
12. Nic Allison
13. Oscar Stewart
14. Bobby Wiggington
15. Harry Legg
Replacements
16. Gabe Mead
17. Harvey Courtis
18. Oscar Beckerleg
19. Morgan Stone
20. Archie Hill
With five rounds remaining for most sides, the National League 1 season is entering a decisive phase, and the race at the top remains tightly contested.
Current Title Picture
The table currently stands:
- Rotherham Titans – 91 points
- Plymouth Albion – 86 points
- Blackheath – 82 points
- Sale FC – 76 points
- Rosslyn Park – 74 points
Rotherham continue to set the pace after a strong campaign that has seen them record 18 wins from 21 matches. Their points difference of +399 also gives them a significant advantage should the title be decided on tie-breaks.
Plymouth Albion remain firmly in the chase, sitting five points behind the leaders after a season that has included an impressive 11 match winning run which propelled them into the title conversation.
Blackheath’s victory over Albion recently reinforced their credentials as genuine contenders, while Sale FC remain close enough to influence the outcome of the race.
Midweek Results
Two midweek fixtures also had an impact on the table.
Rosslyn Park collected a five point win over Birmingham Moseley, with Moseley picking up two bonus points in defeat. The result lifts Rosslyn Park to 74 points, strengthening their position inside the top five.
Meanwhile Bishop’s Stortford defeated Leeds Tykes 31–19, claiming the full five points and moving level with Tonbridge Juddians on 58 points.
While these results did not directly affect the top three, they further tightened the middle of the table and reinforced the competitive nature of the league heading into the final weeks.
What Is Still Possible
Based on the remaining fixtures and maximum available points, several teams can still mathematically influence the race for the title.
| Team | Current Points | Highest Possible Finish | Lowest Possible Finish |
| Rotherham Titans | 91 | 1st | 5th |
| Plymouth Albion | 86 | 1st | 5th |
| Blackheath | 82 | 1st | 8th |
| Sale FC | 76 | 1st | 9th |
| Rosslyn Park | 74 | 1st | 9th |
| Rams | 64 | 2nd | 10th |
| Tonbridge Juddians | 58 | 4th | 11th |
| Bishop’s Stortford | 58 | 4th | 11th |
| Leeds Tykes | 47 | 6th | 13th |
| Sedgley Park Tigers | 42 | 7th | 14th |
| Birmingham Moseley | 42 | 7th | 14th |
| Clifton RFC | 39 | 8th | 14th |
| Dings Crusaders | 39 | 8th | 14th |
| Leicester Lions | 21 | 10th | 14th |
This confirms that Rotherham, Plymouth and Blackheath remain the most realistic contenders for the title, while Sale and Rosslyn Park could still shape the race depending on results in the run in.
Albion are already guaranteed a top five finish, highlighting the strength of their campaign so far.
Key Fixtures Ahead
The next round of fixtures could have a significant impact on the title race.
The standout match sees Rotherham Titans host Blackheath, a result that could either extend Rotherham’s advantage or bring the chasing pack closer together.
For Albion, attention remains on maintaining pressure at the top while taking advantage of the three remaining home fixtures at Brickfields.
With several of the leading sides still set to face one another before the end of the season, the race for top spot remains wide open.
The Run In
With five games left for most teams and momentum playing a crucial role, the final weeks of the National League 1 season promise to deliver plenty of drama.
For Plymouth Albion, the objective is simple: continue building pressure at the top, take advantage of home fixtures and remain within touching distance of the leaders.
With so many key fixtures still to be played, the story of this season is far from finished.