FORWARD Nile Dacres says Plymouth Albion’s young squad just have to keep learning from every game they play.
The summer arrival from Moseley was delighted Albion were able to return to winning ways with a 31-24 victory over Fylde on Saturday.
But Dacres, who scored one of Albion’s three tries in that match, said their Lancashire opponents did highlight a few areas they still need to work on.
“We said after the game there is stuff still to work on,” said Dacres. “If we want to be a top team in this league we can’t be happy with just the win, although at the same time we have to take them when they come.
“There are lessons to take out of it and to work on for next week.
“It was good to come back after the last two weeks where we had some narrow losses.
“I think everyone was just happy we got the win. We just have to build on it now.
“Maybe in the second half we made it tough for ourselves. If we had done a few things differently maybe we could have run away with it a bit more.
“But at the same time we showed great heart, as we do every week, to keep hold of it. Everyone dug in to get the win.”
Fylde have finished in the top four of National One three times in the past four seasons.
Dacres said: “I played against Fylde probably about three years ago in National One when I was on loan at Stourbridge and I remember even back then they were a solid side and a good outfit.
“They did surprise us with some of the things they did but we dug in and managed to keep it tight in the end.
“I think we dominated the set piece for large parts of the game. We were solid in the scrum and managed to push them back on their ball and stole a few of their line-outs and our line-outs were on-song.
“But they did give us a bit of a lesson in open play. But we say every week that each match is going to be different and each side is going to bring something different to the table. If we keep learning as we go and remember those lessons then hopefully it will all come together and we will be a more rounded team.”
Albion did come agonisingly close to securing a fourth try late in the game. A flowing move ended with replacement Billy Searle just getting pushed into touch a metre away from the try line.
“It was the same with the Richmond game, we got three tries in that one,” said Dacres. “In hindsight we would have liked five points but at the same time you don’t want to risk anything. Getting the win is the main priority. A bonus point is what it says in its name – a bonus.”
Dacres was pleased to score his first league try in Albion colours.
“I got one against Jersey in pre-season, but it was definitely great to get my first league try,” he said. “A lot of credit to Herbie for giving me the pass that put me through. I got through and then was one-on-one with the full-back. I only had one route on my mind and I managed to go over and stretch for the line.”