Norton creates new try-scoring record as England get third place in HSBC sevens series

Posted on May 14, 2012 in England Sevens

Dan Norton set a new England record in the HSBC Sevens World Series with tries in victories over France (28-0) and the USA (15-5) on the opening day of the Marriott London Sevens.

Norton scored a record 36thtry of the season as England saw off France 28-0 in the opening game of the Marriott London Sevens.

Former Bristol and Gloucester wing Norton has now scored more times in a sevens campaign than any other England player in the 13-year history of the HSBC Sevens World Series, overtaking Rob Thirlby (35) in a list that includes the likes of Ugo Monye and David Strettle.

England’s other scores came from Sam Edgerley, who picked up to two tries – and a yellow card during the second half – with Tom Mitchell touching down once and kicking four conversions.

England stuttered early on against France with a number of unforced errors but Edgerley broke from long range, Mitchell exploited some good defensive work that turned over the ball and Edgerley again reacted fastest to snatch the ball and race in from inside his own half to put England 21-0 clear at the interval.

The half back was sent to the sin-bin mid-way through the second half, though, but England did well with only six on the field with James Rodwell covering the ground with ball in hand before Turner twisted and turned the French and before putting Norton away.

Former Gloucester and Bristol wing Norton took his total to 37 this term, more than any Englishman has scored in a single season of on the world series, overtaking Rob Thirlby’s tally of 35 in 2003-04.

Sam Edgerley (2) and Tom Mitchell added tries for England against France with Mitchell converting all four.

Edgerley and Mitchell were also on target against the USA, who briefly threatened when Rocco Mauer levelled the game.

Dan Fish got the consolation try against Spain having scored the clincher against Zimbabwe when Richard Smith and Rhys Jones also scored.

England had stuttered during both their opening games with a high error count but they were untroubled once Edgerley – a Latin and Greek student at University College London – raced in from long range.

Mitchell exploited some good defensive work that won a turn-over for the second try and Edgerley again reacted fastest to snatch the ball and race in from inside his own half to put England 21-0 clear at the interval.

The half back was sent to the sin-bin mid-way through the second half, though, but England did well with only six on the field before Mat Turner put Norton away.

England were more composed against the USA, a patient passage of build-up play culminating in Mitchell’s opening try.

Mauer levelled but Edgerley then took advantage of some ball-winning work from Chris Cracknell to dart over, then more thoughtful build-up play allowed Norton to stroll over for this season’s try No.37.

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Plymouth: home at last

Posted on Jan 25, 2011 in Rugby News

Plymouth Albion play their first home match in this season’s British & Irish Cup tonight when they entertain Newport at Brickfields in Pool A (7.45pm).

The match should have been played in December, but Newport were unable to travel to Devon due to bad weather in south Wales.

Unfortunately, now neither Albion nor Newport can progress through to the quarter-finals of the competition.

However, Albion’s chairman of rugby Graham Dawe, whose team have faced tough away trips to Leinster, Cornish Pirates and Worcester in their opening three games, still believes tonight’s the Anglo-Welsh clash will be a competitive affair.

The teams played out a 3-3 draw when they met at Rodney Parade in the cup last season and Albion claimed a narrow one point win when Newport last visited Brickfields in August 2009.

"Although the game won’t have a say on the quarter-final places, I think it will be competitive for the full 80 minutes," said Dawe.

"We will be looking to create a great atmosphere tonight at Brickfields."

Albion will hand first home starts to youngsters Rupert Freestone, Sam Matavesi, Max Venables and Jamie Tripcony.

Teeanger hooker Freestone made his first appearance in an Albion shirt at the weekend against Worcester Warriors at Sixway.

However, Albion, who have an important league match had Doncaster on Saturday, have named the experienced Ryan Hopkins, Tom Skelding, Wayne Sprangle, Sam Hocking, Fionn McLoughlin and Cameron Mitchell in their side. They have also have plenty of exeperience players on the bench for the match.

Tickets for the match can be purchased on the gate starting at £1 for children and £14 for adults.

Albion: M Venables, F McLoughlin, C Mitchell, S Johns, J Coleman, M Lee, T Kessell, M Manton, R Freestone, R Hopkins, J Tripcony, T Skelding, W Sprangle, S Matavesi, S Hocking. Reps: R Cushion, A Davies, K Hallett, D Morton, A Carpenter, D Collier, S-M Stephen.

Albion ready for first derby match of the season

Posted on Oct 1, 2010 in Rugby News

Plymouth Albion renew their rivalry with the Cornish Pirates at Mennaye Field on Sunday.

The West Country rivals met five times last season – twice in the league, twice in the promotion play-offs and once in the British & Irish Cup.

Home advantage proved crucial in the four Championship clashes, with Albion winning on both occasions at Brickfields and the Pirates triumphing in the two games at Camborne.

Despite the fact that Albion and the Pirates met so many times last season, Plymouth’s chairman of rugby Graham Dawe still believes there is something special about the cross-Tamar clash.

"I don’t think this fixture has lost any of its interest," said Dawe.

"And that first derby match of the season is always a special occasion."

Albion have not played at Mennaye Field since December 2004, but the ground does hold some happy memories for Plymouth, including a promotion-sealing victory in 2001.

Sunday’s trip down to west Cornwall will be Albion’s fourth away game in their opening six matches, following on from longer journeys to Bedford, Nottingham and Birmingham.

Their only two homes games so far have come against Worcester Warriors and London Welsh.

Albion did secure their first win of the season last Sunday when they beat Birmingham-Solihull 36-18 at Damson Park.

However, that victory did come at a cost with both Cameron Mitchell and Wayne Sprangle picking up injuries.

Centre Mitchell broke his thumb, while Sprangle dislocated his shoulder.

They join the likes of Martin Rice, Keni Fisilau and Dan Collier on the sidelines.

But club captain Kieran Hallett did make his comeback last week at Birmingham after foot surgery and David Morton has returned to the club this week after spending the summer in Australia.

Australia: Smith starts, Ioane at centre – squad announcement

Posted on Nov 5, 2009 in Rugby News

The return of George Smith to the starting XV, and the selection of an entirely new midfield combination featuring Digby Ioane and Quade Cooper, are the key changes to the Qantas Wallabies starting line-up that has been named today for Saturday’s Cook Cup Test against England in London.

Smith, the game’s fifth most capped player, has swapped roles with the Western Force 21-year-old David Pocock from last week. He will play in his 107th Test.

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