What used to be called five goals, five tries and five conversions, were enough to smother the wit and fine spirit of a Norfolk side without a league point this campaign. Yet the hosts can take immense credit from the first score when Harry Langbridge used a neat overlap to turn the extended OA defence on the far left. In fact it was over a quarter of an hour into this brisk exchange when Albanians put their mark on matters. Charlie Fleckney joined the club of OA hookers who have crossed the whitewash. Sam Jones converted and was to do so a further four times in the afternoon.

Rain that Noah would have been proud of had fallen in the neighbourhood and continued sporadically during the match, making handling, indeed possession a lottery. Both sides are to be congratulated for their expertise in trying circumstancces.

25 minutes in Ross Magnus notched a penalty which gave his side the lead for the final time. The remaining hour saw the visitors use power and perspective to nullify all Walsham’s brave efforts. Fleckney’s second, very like his first, and Rhys Sylvester’s powerful drive, took the match out of contention.

Albanians came to terms with the difficult conditions on the restart and loose head Legg and fly half for the day Jarryd Sage scored the remaining tries.

Despite not scoring a single league point this season as yet Walsham fought to the end and the Albanian score would have been much greater if it were not for the stout defence of the hosts. Henley will provide a sterner test for OAs next Saturday.

Brian Quinn,

Roving Reporter