Young guns get Old Albanian off to a flyer with six-try show

Brian Quinn

Published: 12:31 PM September 11, 2019 Updated: 3:08 PM November 1, 2020

Jamie Townsend (c) of Old Albanian RFC tackles in the match between Old Albanian RFC v Bury St Edmonds. Picture: DANNY LOO - Credit: DANNY LOO

Old Albanians may have spent the summer haemorrhaging players but their talented youngsters quickly laid to rest any trepidation among the Wollams fans with a fine 38-19 win over Bury St Edmunds.

Nico Defeo of Old Albanian RFC makes a tackle in the match between Old Albanian RFC v Bury St Edmonds. Picture: DANNY LOO - Credit: DANNY LOO

The Suffolk club had done the double over OAs last year but there was never likely to be a repeat of those contests as the home team won six tries to three against the much larger visitors.

Nico Defeo of Old Albanian RFC makes a tackle in the match between Old Albanian RFC v Bury St Edmonds. Picture: DANNY LOO - Credit: DANNY LOO

But the smaller pack fared better than expected in the tight elements of the match and that will only breed confidence for the rest of the National Two South season.

Joe Butler of Old Albanian RFC looks to convert in the match between Old Albanian RFC v Bury St Edmonds. Picture: DANNY LOO - Credit: DANNY LOO

The turnovers and possession gained was well used throughout the afternoon and the defence was mostly solid, with gritty tackling in all departments keeping Bury's scoring opportunities to a minimum.

Tom Bednall of Old Albanian RFC breaks a tackle in the match between Old Albanian RFC v Bury St Edmonds. Picture: DANNY LOO - Credit: DANNY LOO

But it was in broken play where Albanian were strongest and the back-row took the lion's share of the plaudits here.

Joe Butler of Old Albanian RFC looks to convert in the match between Old Albanian RFC v Bury St Edmonds. Picture: DANNY LOO - Credit: DANNY LOO

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Conor Gracey, Kay Minkiewicz and rampaging Oliver Stonham were a constant menace to the Suffolk men.

Dan Watt of Old Albanian RFC scores after Ned WarneÕs offload in the tackle in the match between Old Albanian RFC v Bury St Edmonds. Picture: DANNY LOO - Credit: DANNY LOO

Outside the front eight, scrum-half Morgan Thompson continued to efficiently feed fly-half Joe Butler. That in turn allowed centres Nico Defeo and Dan Watt more than enough time and space to pressure the Bury defence all day.

Ned Warne of Old Albanian RFC looks to offload in the match between Old Albanian RFC v Bury St Edmonds. Picture: DANNY LOO - Credit: DANNY LOO

There is speed and strength in this squad and this result can only breed confidence.

Conor Gracey of Old Albanian RFC carries the ball forward in the match between Old Albanian RFC v Bury St Edmonds. Picture: DANNY LOO - Credit: DANNY LOO

Aaron Martinez crossed in the 12th minute and he was followed by Ned Warne and Butler before the half hour.

Joe Butler of Old Albanian RFC restarts the game in the match between Old Albanian RFC v Bury St Edmonds. Picture: DANNY LOO - Credit: DANNY LOO

Thompson ended a sparkling break and earned the bonus point before the interval and Defeo and Watt added two tries in the second period.

Ned Warne of Old Albanian RFC is tackled in the match between Old Albanian RFC v Bury St Edmonds. Picture: DANNY LOO - Credit: DANNY LOO

Watt also helped himself to four conversions for a personal tally of 13 points.

Old Albanian RFC celebrate Nico DefeoÕs try in the match between Old Albanian RFC v Bury St Edmonds. Picture: DANNY LOO - Credit: DANNY LOO

For Bury Ben Leng's first half effort was added to by Jack Harvey and Seb Dusi, Max Machin added the extras to two of them.

Old Albanian RFC celebrate Nico DefeoÕs try in the match between Old Albanian RFC v Bury St Edmonds. Picture: DANNY LOO - Credit: DANNY LOO

Albanian head coach James Buckland was delighted with his charges' performance especially since there are improvements to be made before the journey to Leicester Lions next week.

Nico Defeo of Old Albanian RFC touches down to score in the match between Old Albanian RFC v Bury St Edmonds. Picture: DANNY LOO - Credit: DANNY LOO

"It looked like a good one to play in," he mused afterwards.

Nico Defeo of Old Albanian RFC celebrates in the match between Old Albanian RFC v Bury St Edmonds. Picture: DANNY LOO - Credit: DANNY LOO

Ollie Stonham of Old Albanian RFC looks to progress in the match between Old Albanian RFC v Bury St Edmonds. Picture: DANNY LOO - Credit: DANNY LOO

Josh Taylor of Old Albanian RFC goes into a tackle in the match between Old Albanian RFC v Bury St Edmonds. Picture: DANNY LOO - Credit: DANNY LOO

Josh Taylor of Old Albanian RFC looks to break the line in the match between Old Albanian RFC v Bury St Edmonds. Picture: DANNY LOO - Credit: DANNY LOO

Ned Warne of Old Albanian RFC heads for the line in the match between Old Albanian RFC v Bury St Edmonds. Picture: DANNY LOO - Credit: DANNY LOO

Alex Ricci of Old Albanian RFC holds on in the tackle in the match between Old Albanian RFC v Bury St Edmonds. Picture: DANNY LOO - Credit: DANNY LOO

Alex Ricci of Old Albanian RFC with ball in hand in the match between Old Albanian RFC v Bury St Edmonds. Picture: DANNY LOO - Credit: DANNY LOO

Kay Minkiewicz of Old Albanian RFC tries to break through in the match between Old Albanian RFC v Bury St Edmonds. Picture: DANNY LOO - Credit: DANNY LOO

Conor Gracey and Kay Minkiewicz of Old Albanian RFC tackle in the match between Old Albanian RFC v Bury St Edmonds. Picture: DANNY LOO - Credit: DANNY LOO

Josh Taylor of Old Albanian RFC carries the ball forward in the match between Old Albanian RFC v Bury St Edmonds. Picture: DANNY LOO - Credit: DANNY LOO

Kay Minkiewicz and Ashley Illston of Old Albanian RFC make a tackle in the match between Old Albanian RFC v Bury St Edmonds. Picture: DANNY LOO - Credit: DANNY LOO

Jamie Townsend (c) of Old Albanian RFC in the match between Old Albanian RFC v Bury St Edmonds. Picture: DANNY LOO - Credit: DANNY LOO

Josh Taylor and Tim Bond of Old Albanian RFC make a tackle in the match between Old Albanian RFC v Bury St Edmonds. Picture: DANNY LOO - Credit: DANNY LOO

Joe Butler and Kay Minkiewicz of Old Albanian RFC combine in defence in the match between Old Albanian RFC v Bury St Edmonds. Picture: DANNY LOO - Credit: DANNY LOO