GRAHAM DAWE was delighted with the spirit his team showed at Fylde on Saturday to turnaround a 26-10 deficit with 20 minutes to go to win 38-26.
Albion scored four tries in the final quarter, including three in the last seven minutes, to snatch a win that looked unlikely for most of the match at Woodlands.
Dawe, though, was not quite so happy with the first half performance in snowy Lancashire, where they conceded four tries.
“We felt we chased too many rucks and did not keep our shape first half,” said Dawe. “They (Fylde) worked well for two tries but we gave them two soft tries and we found ourselves a long way down on the scoreboard.
“But I am a great believer and I said to the guys at half-time that it (a comeback) was possible. If a team can score 26 points in the first half the other team can score 26 in the second half and that’s virtually what happened.”
Albion actually scored 28 points in the final 20 minutes.
“This team has definitely got spirit and belief and we do work really hard on our fitness,” said Dawe.
“There is certainly pace and ability in this team.”
He added: “Fylde played so well for an hour and I felt a bit for them to be fair, but I feel proud for our guys.
“First half we started well, but took a couple of wrong options and unfortunately they cost us tries. Fylde worked hard to get their tries, but I was disappointed with a couple of options in the first 15 minutes. We lost control of the game.
“Although we won, I’m not the happiest person considering so many individual errors, which we don’t normally do.
“It is something we have to work on in the next two or three weeks to cut that out.
“But it is easier to work on those errors on the back of a win because people are prepared to put in the graft.”
He added: “I’m a coach that prefers to defend a lead rather than chase a lead. But this team do have a bit of belief and character. Yet there were some average performances out there for a while, but they played well for 10 or 15 minutes.”
Dawe had particular praise for replacement Seti Raumakita, who came on at first on the wing before switching to flanker, with Albion without forwards Ed Holmes, Jarrad Hayler, James Penman, Cameron Thompson and Andy Chesters.
“Seti stepped up to cover the forwards and he played the final 20 minutes in the back-row,” said Dawe. “I thought Seti had a great game. He put in double figure tackles and they were all completed tackles.”