Albion’s forwards try to shake the mud off as they prepare for a scrum on Saturday

PLYMOUTH Albion’s Australian centre Marc Koteczky says he doesn’t think he will ever enjoy playing in conditions like he experienced on Saturday at Brickfields.

Koteczky helped Albion to a 16-5 win over Blaydon in torrential rain, wind and mud.

The conditions were almost identical to the ones Albion encountered last month against Hull Ionians at home, when Plymouth lost 17-7.

They have also played Wharfedale, Darlington Mowden Park, Ampthill and Coventry in horrible weather as well.

“We have been unlucky,” said Koteczky. “We had nice weather all last week and then it just turned on Saturday.

“But it was really good for the boys to get a win in such tough conditions.

“We did not want to repeat how we played against Hull.”

When asked how he felt Saturday’s conditions compared to those against Hull, Sydney-born Koteczky said: “Personally, I think it felt the same. A couple of boys think it was a little bit worse, but I thought it was pretty similar.

“However, I thought we played a lot better than against Hull. We were a little bit smarter and towards the end of the game we were able to hold on to a bit of possession and take the win.”

When asked if he would ever get used to playing in mud and rain, Koteczky said: “No, I will never like it.

“I think it is pretty rare for Plymouth to have this much rain. It is nearly mid-February now so, hopefully, the sun will start to come out. I’d enjoy that a lot more and I know everyone else would as well.”

He added: “Esher had a nice pitch and I think that suits us a little bit more. It was good to play up there last week. We have not had a dry pitch like that since (the artificial one at) Rosslyn Park.

“But as ugly as it was on Saturday, it was good to get the win in conditions like that.”

Albion’s victory was their ninth in their last 10 games and keeps them in fourth place in the National One table.

Koteczky, though, insists the team are not getting carried away.

“We have not looked too far ahead,” he said. “We have Cinderford next and then Henley, but we are just taking it a week at a time.

“We are on a good run at the moment and we just have to try and keep that going.

“We’ll just assess each game as it comes.”

He added about Albion’s good form: “It’s a little bit different for Plymouth Albion after the last few years. It would be nice just to stay in this top four area for the remaining time of the season.

“And who knows what can happen? We just need some results go our way.”