SAM MATAVESI says Plymouth Albion will have a point to prove when they entertain Wharfedale at Brickfields this Saturday.

Albion suffered a shock 52-13 loss at Ampthill on Saturday. That was the first defeat since the start of January and their first on their travels since November.

The city club may have been distracted by problems off the field, but Matavesi said Saturday’s performance ‘was not good enough’.

“It was a hard game,” said Matavesi, who had not experienced a loss on the road since returning to Albion’s starting line-up at the end of November.

“But there are no excuses for what happened. I don’t think we were at the races, but all credit to Ampthill.

“We had an awesome start but then had a few injuries and people had to change positions. However, we are a good side and that really should not affect us.

“It was just not good enough and we have to realise that. I don’t think anyone had a good game, if I’m honest.

“As a top four team we need to put it right this week. We are at home. At the minute the boys are quite low and feeling pretty wounded so there should be enough fuel and ammunition for Wharfedale. Hopefully, we can right a few wrongs and we can get back to where we have been.

“We had won 13 out of 14 games. You’re always going to lose some time but hopefully we can win for the rest of the season.”

Matavesi did score his first Albion try since returning to the club in November in the dying minutes at Ampthill.

“To be fair to the boys everyone was always fighting and kept going,” said Matavesi.

“I had 15 tries in eight games for Camborne, but I came back to Plymouth and could not score anything. It is always nice to score but I would much rather have a win.”

With Rupert Freestone away on international duty with England Student and Dean Brooker in New Zealand, Matavesi found himself playing hooker for the final few minutes of the game after James Penman was forced off with injury.

The 24-year-old spent last season playing there before successfully reverting back to flanker.

“I have been throwing quite a bit in training with Rupert away and James having been injured,” said Matavesi. “But it is always different throwing in a game, but thankfully it went all right.”