Saumi is left ruing missed chances

ALBION coach Nat Saumi was once again left ruing missed chances against the Cornish Pirates.

At the start of the season Albion lost 19-17 at Mennaye Field after dominating the game but missing five kicks at goal.

And yesterday they missed another four kicks as the Pirates won 9-5.

"It was disappointing," said Saumi on losing to his former club again. "We did not take our chances.

"We had those penalties, but sometimes kickers have off-days.

"But I thought the boys played well.

"They (the Pirates) took their chances and that was the difference."

Saumi, though, admitted his team's line-out once again let them down.

"It was our set piece again," he said. "I think we lost eight of our own throws in the first half – and that was the game."

Despite being out-played in the first half, Albion only found themselves 6-0 at the break and Saumi admitted that was a boost for his side.

"That's what I reminded the boys about at half-time," revealed Saumi.

"I said we have lost eight line-outs, but we are only 6-0 down and the game is there to be won in the second 40 minutes.

"And once we lifted the intensity the Pirates seemed to struggle.

"It was just a few basic errors we committed – like conceding penalties again and early engagement at scrums – that cost us the game."

Saumi, though, admits he is growing tired of saying the same thing nearly every week.

"You work on those things (the same mistakes) and we have been talking about them the whole season.

"I should not be repeating it again.

"I hope they (the players) will come in again next Monday and they rectify it.

"They have to put things into place straight away, because otherwise we will be in the same situation."

Saumi felt the Pirates' greater experience also helped win them the game.

"Most of their team have played Championship rugby for a while," he said.

"They have got loads of experience in their team.

"In our team we have a load of young boys who we are trying to develop. This season they have really developed.

Coming into the game I was confident, but it came down to experience."

Albion now only have four league games left at home from their 10 remaining fixtures.

"The boys have to take this on the chin and we have to try and come away with some away wins," he said.