Hambly prepared for tougher Albion test

REDRUTH head coach Nigel Hambly is predicting a much tougher examination for his side as they prepare to tackle Plymouth Albion for the second time in a week.

Having overcome a youthful Albion XV 27-13 at the Recreation Ground last Saturday, Hambly knows opposite number Graham Dawe is likely to field more of his experienced troops ahead of their latest battle at the Brickfields on Sunday (2.30pm).

For Hambly, though, just getting his own players battle hardened for what he feels will be a "testing first month" in National League One, is the key objective from this latest outing.

"I think we'll see a different Plymouth side," said Hambly yesterday. "I'm sure Graham will look to use more of his more established names. The side they brought down here was quite young, but still a decent enough test for us.

"They had people like Kieran Hallett in their side and he's a quality rugby player. I had heard lots of good reports about him before last week and now I know why. He's a class act."

However, even with Hallett in their ranks, Albion were well beaten on the day by a Reds side, which included many of Hambly's summer signings.

Adryan Winnan, Steve Evans, Chris Morris, Fraser Clilverd and Gareth Evans all started the game, while former Mounts Bay and Cornish All Blacks back Jamie Semmens was among thos who appeared from the bench in the second half.

This weekend, two more of Redruth's close season captures will be paraded. Although for Brett Stroud and Wihan Neethling, running out at the Brickfields will be no new experience. Both players are former Albion men, the latter having only joined the Cornish club this week.

"We'll look to try and give those guys – and a few of the others who didn't get much time last week – a decent run-out on Sunday," added Hambly.

"This is the latest of our official first team friendlies, so in that respect it's a pretty critical fixtures for a lot of the guys. It's a chance for all of them to put their hands up and state their case for selection. The Cambridge game is only a few weeks away, so I want every one of them pushing hard and saying to me 'I want to be starting that first game'.

"Last week I felt we did a lot of good things, but like always in pre-season there is always lots of other bits and pieces you want to get right. Defensively I thought we were pretty good, whilst in attack we took a lot of our chances.

"As I said, though, Albion I think will be a much tougher proposition this weekend. I'm expecting them to have a lot more of their first-teamers back in the side, so it will be up to our guys to step up and show what they can do."

Meanwhile, Albion – who yesterday confirmed that fly-half Hallett will be their first team captain for the forthcoming season – may include in their side newcomer Tyler Hotson.

The Canadian international lock arrived in England last weekend after being granted a work permit and will join compatriot Sean-Michael Stephen, who was among Albion's key performers last season.

Last night Albion player-coach Danny Thomas was unsure whether Hotson – who has endured a busy summer helping Canada qualify for the 2011 World Cup, as well as competing in the Churchill Cup – would feature on Sunday.

He said: "He only arrived earlier this week, so I'm not sure if he will play on Sunday. We got a selection meeting tomorrow and that's when the squad will be finalised."

Unlike a week ago, Albion will parade most of their summer signings this weekend as they look to get ready for their opening fixture against Birmingham-Solihull on September 5.

"Despite the result, we were quite happy with last week," said Thomas. "It was our first outing, so it's hard to judge what stage we are at. I think it was good for the boys to play some rugby, get used to the contact side of things again, and get some fitness under their belts. Although this week I think we'll look to use more of the squad and give people as much game time as possible."

Thomas recognises that Redruth will again pose difficult opposition, he added: "Redruth are a good side. They've had a fairly settled side for a few years and they've improved it by two or three players in the summer. They gave us a good test last week and we're expecting another one this weekend."

Plymouth Albion (from): Kingdom, Saumi, Griffiths, Gibson, Mercer, Shone, Lee, Hopper, Tuipulotu, Fisilau, Davies, Hallett, Cushion, Kessell, Rice, Hopkins, Morton, Porte, Owen, Clark, Skelding, Hotson, Lewis, Stephen, Waterhouse, Watts-Jones, Tripcony, Sprangle, Thomas, Marriott.

Redruth (from): Winnan, Neethling, Vinnicombe, S Evans, P Thirlby, Bonds, Scrivener, Simmons, Jacques, Hambly, Morcom, Cook, Penney, Clilverd, Stroud, Fuca, G Evans, Varney, Joyce, Gidlow, MacLean, Crew, Poynton, Duncan, Richards, Rule, Parsons, Kenward, Semmens, Britton.