Sonny Hirini making Plymouth Albion comeback as Robin Wedlake moves on

Ellie Venables, finance director at Plymouth Albion, writes her latest column for Plymouth Live on events at Brickfields

It was disappointing we narrowly lost 22-20 to Rams in the final minutes away at Old Bath Road last Saturday. The real punch to the stomach was the fact that it was ex-Albion and local lad, Fraser Honey, who slotted the late penalty to take the win. It is great to see local Cornish lads doing so well though!

Sam Daly was back in the team after missing the week before due to a small injury, and it didn’t take long for him to show us why he is such a valued player. Using all his power to steam over to cinch a try to take the lead early in the game.

I am told it was a game of end to end play, with both teams leaving everything on the pitch, and it was such a shame for us to lose in the final minutes. However, the boys still did us proud, bringing back that all important losing bonus point.

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Unfortunately, during the match at Rams we lost Angus Hodges and Jesse Lowe to knocks, so they will be out of action this week. However, it was great to see Tom Cowan-Dickie and Jake Clemson back in action in Reading after lengthy injuries. Tom and Jake are more senior members of the squad, and they add a level of leadership to our young squad which the lads really look up to.

On Saturday we have our last home game of 2023 against newly-promoted Sedgley Park Tigers, who are having a flying start to their National League One campaign, sitting pretty in fourth position, just three points below us. We are still yet to lose at the Brickfields fortress this year, so I am hoping the Tigers will not be the first to break our home win streak.

Speaking with my brother and MD Max Venables this week he said he hasn’t experienced a season like it at the helm of Albion. We are doing fantastically well even though we seem to have been plagued with injuries throughout.

I think the difference is this season is having the strength and depth in the squad to absorb them, managing to put a strong team out time and again. It’s lovely to see that we are picking up more and more local lads that want to get involved at the club and can share the vision we have.

Speaking of injuries, I have some good news to share and returning this week, having only played a few games for us, we have our favourite New Zealander Sonny Hirini returning to the Brickfields fortress.

Having moved himself and his partner across the globe to play some English rugby, Sonny picked up a nasty injury in September, leaving him on the sidelines to recover. Now however, he is putting his boots back on and starting on the bench this weekend.

The return of Sonny couldn’t have come at a better moment, as we say goodbye to fan favourite Robin Wedlake, who has been offered a full-time contract back at Cornish Pirates.

We are all sad to see Robin go after well and truly proving himself on the field scoring numerous tries during his short stint at Albion, but we wish him all the luck for the remainder of the season at the Championship side.

I think you’ll agree, we are all ready for the Christmas break to recoup and come back (maybe a little porkier) in the new year! Don’t forget to book your tickets for the Christmas party next week to let your hair down with the lads before they leave for the festive break.

Until next time, Stay Safe. Ellie.