It's as well there is a rest week coming up since, understandably, there seemed to be some jaded souls during parts of last Saturday's offering. Albanians have coped with injuries and squad changes manfully in a somewhat mixed couple of opening months of what will continue to be a compelling but ferociously challenging season. To emerge into November in mid table after the vicissitudes of the first eight weeks is a tribute to players and coaches alike and all should take full advantage of the rest on offer.

Looking at the details tight play did not produce what seemd on offer from the kickoff: Albanians dominated in most respects and demonstrated comfortable possession and meaningful attack. A scant two minutes had passed since the starting whistle when the first OA incisive move brought a simple score for No 8 Alex Omole for Sam Jones to convert. It was to be the start of the second quarter before the scoreboard moved again, this time for Havant when eventual man of the match Joel Knight skipped through under the posts. He had no trouble improving his own score but by that time OAs had lost two crucial forwards: Omole to a damaged leg and mighty prop Harry Samuel with a shoulder injury. Neither were to return to the fray.

The scrum suffered accordingly and the lineout took this cue and became much more of a lottery than the visitors would have wished. Havant took the lead on the half hour and increased the pressure gradually for the rest of the middle part of the match and the half time score stood at 19-7 to the hosts. Tam Lindsay crossed after a rolling maul and Dylan Lawley from close in with the last converted by Knight.

The first fifteen minutes of the second period produced more of the same with a Knight penalty and a second strike from Lawley and the 29 accumulated points were probably deemed unassailable. The OA backs had other ideas led by Alex Noot with a numbing double in no more than seven minutes. The first, now his trademark, came when he erupted from his own half and showed himself unstoppable, indeed untouchable, on his imperious way to the line. Jones converted but couldn't quite add the extras for the full back's second when, duly shell-shocked, the home defence were off the pace again. With ten minutes still on the clock further Albanian pressure brought play again to the Havant 22 and an electric Declan Murphy emerged from a knot of players and crossed behind the sticks. Jones' conversion levelled the tallies.

Thus the opportunity beckoned but fate, and a stolid Havant pack performance drove play towards the OA line where a long discussion ensued between the officials about a possible touchdown. The try was awarded but the score went unconverted and Albanians still had five minutes to improve their afternoon. All was possible untill a midfield penalty was lined up by Knight with the clock deep in the red. His accuracy denied OAs a second bonus point.

Enjoy your week off!