Block 1 review

[Storty]

After 7 breathless weeks we now have a week off. How does everyone reflect on their team and the league in general?

From a Stortford perspective it's been a frustrating start. The last 3 losses all could have arguably been won with a bit more composure in key moments. On a personal note, I'm not happy with 5 saracens in the squad. In my opinion this reflects another summer of poor recruitment and needing to lean on saracens to replace some lost players. However, on a positive note 2 youth players are now firmly established in the first XV, which is something I love to see.

The most positive development for Stortford is off the pitch as the ground is getting some TLC. There are now a couple of small stands and they're in the process of concreting around the ground (and most importantly to the bar!) so no more mud covered shoes in winter! Attendances haven't dropped below 500 yet so seems like this hard work is paying off.

As for the rest of the league, I've not seen a team as dominant as Plymouth since Chinnor went on a tear a few years ago. Although Tonbridge have done incredibly well realistically barring a dramatic turn of events I think this could be a procession to the title.

Camborne have also been incredible. Had never even heard of them before, seems like rugby is like football in the West Country with many great teams with huge support. Not sure where they've been as they look the real deal.

The other promoted teams are giving a good account of themselves which is great for the league.

Rams and Park will be disappointed with how things are going. Over the years they've consistently been at the higher end of the table but don't look the same level so far.

The Champ demotees have not enjoyed life down here. Scottish seem to be finding their feet but poor old Cambridge are a club in crisis. I don't see where their first win comes from at the moment.

[Donnyknightfan]

I know it’s very early to make these sorts of shouts but i wouldn’t be offering very long odds on Plymouth winning 26/26 this season - I think it’s a realistic possibility with the way they’re playing. It’s going to take a hell of a performance for somebody to turn them over at this rate.

[Exiled Janner]

As an exile, I only get to see Albion play when they are in the South East and rely on social media, streaming and podcasts for my N1 fix. The difference I see this year is in a concerted effort in the close season to recruit mostly experienced players (Kenny, Eames and Daly - Taylor joined towards the end of 25/26), beside some younger talent and the return of guys with military connections. We've had a couple of short term loans to cover injury (and it's only Round 7). We haven't relied on DR players and that, to me, is forward thinking and squad building. But importantly, we have three or four enforcers who mix it up up front - Ben Moa was having to do that singlehandedly last term. Our backs are getting so much more front foot ball they can showcase themselves going forward; I still worry about our defence out wide, but we are holding fast currently.

My 'local' team is Tonbridge, good to see them kicking on from last year and I'm looking forward to December when we meet at the Slade. I'll be the one in cherry, green and white amongst my TJ's mates.

No surprise Camborne are doing well, rugby is the premier sport in Cornwall but with the injection of cash at Pirates, I wonder if Camborne will be to them what Albion are to Chiefs - the West Country needs local talent to stay and two teams in the Prem and two in the Champ would be fantastic.

I got carried away last year and predicted big things, not going to fall into that trap this year - but if we have a three way mix of Albion, TJs and Camborne, I'll be a happy man!! I think we need to look at the current top six as promotion contenders. Rams and RP have not gone as well as one would expect, Scottish are rebuilding and may have turned a corner.

I'll be adding Cambridge and BSE to my north of London visits this season, I enjoyed Stortford last season; Silver Leys and The Slade felt like 'proper' clubs when you are that close to the action.

Just another season in N1 - here's to the remaining fixtures!

[Dawson9]

Mixed start for scottish. Came out of the blocks flying, and then 4 losses in a row including a hammering against Leeds.

Have slowly started to build up some consistency and were pretty dominant in our wins vs Sheffield and rossyln park. Cambridge next gives us the opportunity to go on a nice little run.

To be fair its about what I expected. Last few seasons in the championshio have been a joke in terms of selection - with teams seemingly pulled out of the hat inc whatever players quins wanted us to play that week. With the quins deal jettisoned, we are effectively putting out a relatively new squad in n1, with a handful of past players for consistency. 8 of the 15 on saturday new signings. We are also seeing the benefit of continued selection with a number of players playing every single week so far (clayton, golder, vukasinovic, Wilkinson, yardell)

Stand out signings so far have been will butler from Gloucester (centre but now standing in very well at 10 due to i presume injuries), conor moyse at 13 and alex earnshaw on the wing. We are definitely trying to play a more attacking offloading game and while its not always clicking it is steadily improving. We are playing 4 locks in most XV as well so clearly going for bulk to give the backs a platform. Defence needs work as we are still very leaky at times.

Overall its been OK. I expect us to finish mid table and if we get more wins than losses ill be happy with that after the last few years.

[FHLH]

Mixed start for scottish. Came out of the blocks flying, and then 4 losses in a row including a hammering against Leeds.

Have slowly started to build up some consistency and were pretty dominant in our wins vs Sheffield and rossyln park. Cambridge next gives us the opportunity to go on a nice little run.

To be fair its about what I expected. Last few seasons in the championshio have been a joke in terms of selection - with teams seemingly pulled out of the hat inc whatever players quins wanted us to play that week. With the quins deal jettisoned, we are effectively putting out a relatively new squad in n1, with a handful of past players for consistency. 8 of the 15 on saturday new signings. We are also seeing the benefit of continued selection with a number of players playing every single week so far (clayton, golder, vukasinovic, Wilkinson, yardell)

I'm hoping Cambridge can start to gel with LS visiting however their start has been impressive of late. I was surprised to see that 11 former National One teams are now playing in National Two so if that's our natural level, so be it. However, every week is a new game so I look forward to the match.

[Cheshire Exile]

Camborne have also been incredible. Had never even heard of them before, seems like rugby is like football in the West Country with many great teams with huge support. Not sure where they've been as they look the real deal.“

A local guy who made some money has come home and is investing in the club, most notably by bringing all three Matavesi brothers back to their birthplace.
The club has a proud history; full back John Collins, capped in 1952, is the oldest surviving England international.

It always makes me smile when I see followers of other clubs complaining about the lengthy trip to Cornwall in Nat 1 or 2; Camborne and Redruth are faced with equivalent journeys for all their away games. It’s great to see Camborne/ Albion cross-border matches; I remember a Nat2West season some years ago when Redruth’s CLOSEST away game was at Stourbridge.

[Exiled Janner]

Camborne have also been incredible. Had never even heard of them before, seems like rugby is like football in the West Country with many great teams with huge support. Not sure where they've been as they look the real deal.“

A local guy who made some money has come home and is investing in the club, most notably by bringing all three Matavesi brothers back to their birthplace.
The club has a proud history; full back John Collins, capped in 1952, is the oldest surviving England international.

It always makes me smile when I see followers of other clubs complaining about the lengthy trip to Cornwall in Nat 1 or 2; Camborne and Redruth are faced with equivalent journeys for all their away games. It’s great to see Camborne/ Albion cross-border matches; I remember a Nat2West season some years ago when Redruth’s CLOSEST away game was at Stourbridge.

My early years playing were in Plymouth and trips into Cornwall were always the ones to look forward to ...... Camborne School of Mines, Illogan Park, Bude, Wadebridge Camels, Launceston, Saltash, Liskeard/Looe, St Ives - sadly never got to play at The Mennaye against Penzance Pirates (as they were then). Rugby is definitely the major sport in Cornwall

[Cheshire Exile]

To be pedantic (a natural trait I’m afraid) we have never been Penzance Pirates; two local clubs merged to form Penzance & Newlyn RFC in 1945 and the “pirates” nickname was a logical result of the club’s badge and the eponymous G&S operetta.
Penzance & Newlyn, the amateur side also based at the Mennaye , are alive and well in the snappily named Regional 2 Tribute Ale South West, as well as running a dozen junior, colts and women’s’ teams.