Still work to be done but Old Albanian’s hopes of avoiding the drop improve with Stortford success

There is still work to be done if Old Albanian are to avoid the drop from National One – with the first two games in March crucial – but a 36-17 win over Bishop’s Stortford was the perfect way to start.

They remain second from bottom despite the six-try victory but are now nine points behind Loughborough Students and safety.

The Students are the next team to arrive at Woollams on March 10, a week after OAs have gone to basement club Fylde, and another effort like this against their Herts rivals would be welcome.

Tries from Chris West and Jack Daly, converted by Tom Bednall, gave them a 14-point lead and although that was wiped out by two from the visitors, Matt Gallagher went over for a 19-17 half-time lead.

But the home attack cut loose in the second half, and especially the final quarter, and tries from Reuben Bird-Tulloch, Morgan Thompson and Tadgh McElroy secured the bonus-point win.