A WARM WELCOME TO OLD ALBANIAN RFC
We played a number of new opponents last season, but now firmly set in the National Leagues we can anticipate regular visits from clubs we would previously only come across in cup tie situations. Old Albanian RFC is one such club and we are delighted to welcome all involved to Knole Paddock for the second time.
St Albans School was founded in 948, and is reputed to be the second oldest school in the country behind King’s School Canterbury. Rugby was played at the school from the end of the 19th century and, as with many others soon after the end of WW1, a group of former pupils formed their own ruby club so that they could continue playing in adulthood. The year was 1924 so congratulations in advance to OAs for their centenary – one year older than SRFC.
Their first changing rooms were a converted Great War barracks hut which they managed to survive in for quite some time. A new ground north of St Albans was acquired in the late 50s, together with a self-built accommodation, similar to our story in the late 70s. In 1974, while retaining their name, the Club went “open” and increased its playing strength to accommodate six teams weekly.
OAs have a proud playing history, especially since the turn of this century, which coincided with the sale of their ground for housing development. After playing nomadically in 2000, they joined up with the school and moved to Cheapside Farm, since renamed Woollams in honour of a major school benefactor.
That move was celebrated in style by promotion to London 1. Solid improvement was maintained for the next decade and in 2010/11 National Leagues status was achieved. Since then OAs have oscillated between Levels 3 and 4, always turning out strong and competitive sides.
Saracens use their facilities for training, which has resulted in a strong connection with the Premiership outfit. Current international and well-known players including Maro Itoje, Nathan Earle, Nick Iswieke, and Max Malins have all pulled on the Old Albanians shirt, while a number of Saracens Academy boys now make guest appearances from time to time.
Both sides have one win from the two outings to date, and all four matches have been close run affairs. Today will offer a good examination of both XVs’ credentials as the embryonic season begins to take shape. Another exciting afternoon awaits.
Howard Pearl
Other National League 2 East Division matches being played today:
Esher v Canterbury Henley v Bury St Edmunds
North Walsham v Dorking Tonbridge Juddian v Guernsey
Wimbledon v Westcombe Park Worthing v Barnes