Cornish Pirates

CORNISH Pirates coach Jim McKay wants his side to continue in the same vein as they finished Monday's win over Plymouth Albion when they tackle Coventry at the Butts Park Arena tomorrow.

Welshman Kevin James scored seven minutes into injury time to help secure a dramatic 29-28 success for the Pirates in their final game of the season at their Kenwyn base.

Now, McKay wants to see more of the same from his side, particularly the kind of rugby they displayed in the opening half-hour against their rivals from just across the Tamar.

The Australian admitted after the Albion game that it was "some of the best rugby he had seen from his side" and clearly he is eager to see more in this penultimate game of the season.

"It's our last away game of the season, so it would be good to go out with a bit of a bang," said McKay yesterday. "We played very well against Plymouth on Monday and hopefully we can carry that form into this game.

"Coventry, though, are a very good side, particularly at home. They have top players like Jon Higgins at 10, Kurt Johnson and James Moore on the wing. They are also a very good scrummaging side, so we have to be aware of that."

Moore - who is poised to join McKay and the Pirates next season - is clearly Coventry's main danger. He is National One's top scorer this term with 247 league points, eight of which came in last Saturday's 40-27 defeat at Bedford Blues.

Because of the quick turnaround in matches this week, McKay has a couple of injury concerns ahead of the game. Centre Duncan Roke and lock Joe Beardshaw were both forced off against Albion, but are both named in the weekend travelling party.

However, one definite change for the visitors comes in the front-row where Dan Parkes will start in place of Alan Paver at loosehead.

Coventry, meanwhile, will be without Ben Gulliver because of a knee injury. Lock Gulliver is rumoured to be a summer target for Plymouth Albion.

Also missing will be South African Hendry Rheeders because of a shoulder injury, but Tom Johnson is poised to return in the home back-row.

Pirates (from): R McAtee; R Welding, D Roke, M Jess, W Kelly, K James; L Jarvis, T Barlow, G Cattle (capt), N Chivers, A Paver, D Parkes, N Makin, V Ma'asi, D Seal, N Adams, H Senekal, J Beardshaw, S Hockings, T Cowley, M Evans.

* THE Pirates will be having a Past Players Reunion on the April 29, coinciding with the club's final National One match of the season against London Welsh at the Mennaye Field (3pm).

Former players interested in attending the event should contact Robert 'Rastus' Williams on 07968 420779.

* PLANS for the proposed new development at the Mennaye Field are now on display in the clubhouse. Members and all interested parties are advised that any comments they wish to make should be forwarded in writing to Peter Richmond, General Manager Cornish Pirates, Westholme, Alexandra Road, Penzance, Cornwall, TR18 4LY.