Match preview: Plymouth Albion v Bristol Rugby
The former Bath and England hooker was forced into action after an injury crisis in the front row. But despite their problems, his side produced a stunning performance to beat their high-flying opponents 31-25 and end a run of three straight defeats.
The Devonians have used fewer players than any other club so far this season, with just 22 players starting a Championship match and a further four being used from the bench.
Six players – wing Liam Gibson, centre Keni Fisalu, fly-half Kieran Hallett, lock Tyler Hotson, and back-row duo Kyle Marriott and Sean-Michael Stephen – have started all nine league games. And wing Gary Kingdom, prop Ryan Hopkins and lock Tom Skelding have featured in all nine games, either from the start or as a replacement.
Plymouth, who finished just out of the relegation places last season, have been slow starters this term, winning only three of their nine matches, with all of their victories coming at Brickfields.
And after successive defeats against Coventry, Doncaster and Moseley, Dawe was delighted to beat Nottingham. "It was a hard-earned win," he said. "The boys put in a lot of effort – as they have done over the last few weeks. However, this time we got the 'W' – a much-needed 'W' for the team, the club and for the feelgood factor of the people of Plymouth."
Albion have tended to perform well against the Championship's better sides, beating Nottingham and Cornish Pirates and pushing Exeter all the way.
Hooker James Owens said: "We did answer a few critics on Saturday. But if we get carried away and don't perform this week then we will be back to square one."
Kick-off: Tomorrow, 3pm
Ground: Brickfields, Damerel Close, Plymouth
Plymouth director of rugby: Graham Dawe
Captain: Kieran Hallett
Top points scorer: Kieran Hallett – 79
Top try scorer: Ben Mercer – 3
Last six results: Nottingham (Home) Won 38-23 Coventry (Away) Lost 26-10 Doncaster (Home) Lost 21-6 Moseley (Away) Lost 26-15 Cornish Pirates (Home) Won 16-8 Exeter (Away) Lost 30-24
Tickets: Grandstand – £18 adults, £14 students, £10 under-16s; Redrow Covering Standing – £16/£12/£8; North Stand – £14/£10/£1; Ground – £13/£9/£1.
How to get there: Approach Plymouth along the A38 until you reach the Manadon intersection, then pick up the A386 (sign-posted city centre). Follow signs for Torpoint (ferry) A374 along Milehouse Road, then Devonport Road through a small shopping area. At a mini-roundabout turn right into Albert Road. At the next set of traffic lights, turn left. Proceed to mini-roundabout, carry straight on following signs for the city centre. In 400 meters, there is a yellow AA sign indicating the left turn (into Madden Road) for Brickfields Recreation Ground.
Last time: Saturday, March 19, 2005 Plymouth Albion 23 Bristol 38
How will it go? Plymouth bounced back from a run of defeats last weekend but I back Bristol to build on their thrashing of Coventry. Bristol to win by six points.
Words of wisdom: "Budge will be like a new signing for us. He has only played one game for us this season, so it will be really good to have him back" – Bristol coach John Brain prepares to welcome lock Nathan Budgett back into the squad after a calf injury.
Just a thought: Bristol won on their last visit to Plymouth – but have lost all of their other three league games against Albion.
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