8:00am Friday 12th March 2010
BASINGSTOKE fly-half Paul Morris says that high-flying Old Albanians are beatable – as long as ’Stoke are on top of their game for the full 80 minutes.
The Down Grange club have followed poor first half performances with brilliant second half displays to beat both Havant and Diss in recent weeks.
However, a trip to second-placed Old Albanians will be an even tougher proposition and Morris knows they will take full advantage unless Basingstoke perform well for the entire match.
“It would be great if we could play for 80 minutes the way we want to and that will be the key if we are going to get a result on Saturday,” the New Zealander said. “I would hope that we have at least half a chance if we play like we did in the second half against Diss and Havant.”
Old Albanians are favourites to claim second spot behind Jersey in National Three London, having won their last seven and 16 of their last 17.
They were known as a side who ground out results in the first half of the season but have started scoring more freely in recent weeks, beating Portsmouth 90-12 last Saturday.
Morris thinks this is because they have signed a number of new players – but insists that ’Stoke will not be overawed.
“It is going to be a real challenge but if we play the way we do sometimes, we could be alright,” he said. “We’re certainly not worried and have got nothing to lose really. We just have to do our best.”
Old Albanians won 13-0 when the sides met at Down Grange but Basingstoke’s recent form is a cause for optimism. Jim Kelly’s men have won four of their last five and are back in the hunt for fourth place, just five points behind Bracknell.
’Stoke will be hoping to welcome back winger Glen Lewis, who has missed the last three games with a hamstring problem.
However, talismanic flanker and captain Simon Appleby is likely to miss out again due to a chest injury, while the game will probably come too soon for Jamie Folan (back).
After two years at the club, Morris is to leave in the summer, giving Kelly problems at fly-half. Youngster Luke Flower is currently being bedded in and Morris thinks he has got what it takes to succeed in what is a crucial position.
“Luke’s got good skills and all of the attributes needed to succeed at fly-half,” Morris said. “Now he just needs some game time to get his confidence up.”
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