PLYMOUTH Albion fly-half Billy Searle cannot wait to play at Darlington Mowden Park’s impressive Northern Echo Arena on Saturday.

Searle is expecting the playing surface at the 25,000 all-seater stadium to suit Albion’s game as they look to keep their impressive run going.

Albion have not lost since the start of January and have won 11 of their last 12 games. They have also not been beaten away since November 21. 

However, ambitious Mowden Park, who signed five players from Plymouth in the summer, are on an equally good run. They have also only lost once – against leaders Richmond – since November.

“It is a big weekend for us,” said 19-year-old Searle. “Going away to Darlington will be a tough match but, hopefully, we can go up there and get a win and keep this run going.

“There are some nice facilities up there so, hopefully, it should make for a really good game of rugby.”

He added: “I can’t wait to play there. It will be nice to get away from the muddy pitch down here and everywhere else. It should be nice turf and there should be some good rugby on show.”

Albion lost 25-15 to Mowden Park in wet and muddy conditions at Brickfields in November.

It was a game Plymouth felt they should have won. However, it proved to be the turning point in Darlington’s season as they went on to win 12 games in a row having started the season poorly.

Searle said: “We felt we underperformed that day and they got the victory. We want to put that right. Hopefully, we can go up there and get a victory against them.”

Cornwall player Searle, who moved to Brickfields from Launceston in the summer, has really established himself in Albion’s team. He has made 17 starts and scored seven tries.

“I definitely feel a lot more comfortable in the team now,” said Searle, who had to be patient at the start of the campaign. “Hopefully, I can just keep playing as I’m playing and I can keep the shirt until the end of the season.”