SETI RAUMAKITA is hoping for more Plymouth Albion starts after making his first against Loughborough Students last Saturday.
The Fijian-born Royal Navy player, who has turned out for Devonport Services and Plymouth Argaum in the past, got his chance to make his full National League debut after Jake Murphy was ruled out on the morning of the match.
With fellow backs Marc Koteczky and Tom Putt also injured, Raumakita was brought in on the wing.
The Royal Navy man, who can also play flanker, had previously made replacement appearances against Hull Ionians, Fylde and Coventry.
But like Jarrad Hayler, Raumakita missed a month of the season as he was part of the Royal Navy squad that played in the International Defence Rugby Competition.
“It was really good,” said Raumakita about making his first start for the club. “It’s good to be back with the team again. It was my first full game.”
Raumakita nearly marked the day with a try. He had a good chance in the first half and was agonisingly close in the second.
“I nearly did, but there’s always next time,” said Raumakita.
The Stonehouse-based Royal Marine is certainly keeping his fingers crossed there will be another start soon and he is not bothered whether that is in the backs or the forwards.
“Hopefully,” he said. “Playing wing is not too bad. I don’t mind it as long as I’m playing. I’m happy then.”
Raumakita was pleased to help Albion to the win and he is hoping the team can keep picking up victories.
“We worked really hard and that’s why we came away with the win,” he said.
“Hopefully, we can hang in there and try and get up the top with the rest of the teams. We just have to keep working hard.”
Albion will be tested this weekend when they travel to second-placed Hartpury College.
The Gloucestershire side have only lost three times this season and have some very experienced campaigners in their squad like 35-year-old former Albion player-coach Rhys Oakley, who is their captain, 31-year-old former Bristol prop Wayne Thompson, 32-year-old American international and former Bristol, Leeds and London Welsh scrum-half Robbie Shaw and 32-year-old former London Scottish, Ealing and Launceston lock Steve Pape.
Hartpury also have a good relationship with Gloucester and among the players to have featured for the college side this year is Billy Burns.