Cornish Pirates

It was hot and dry, the Pirates playing their opener at Dry Leas just before midday against Quant Je Puis whom they beat 24-14.

Rhodri McAtee scored a hat-trick and was a star performer in our next game, a quarter-final against Scorpions. The game, however, was lost 26-12, the opponents an invitation side with three Scotland 7s players in their ranks.

If any commiseration was due, it was Scorpions who were the eventual winners, beating Samurai 24-19 in the final.

As for the Pirates, following their defeat they still had a chance to lift the Shield trophy, appearing to have a good chance after beating Newbury 29-14, but it was not quite enough.

With four ‘semi-final’ qualifying games in the Shield section, it was the two teams with the best points margin who went through, Apache beating the Spanish Barbarians in that particular final.

Besides the impressive McAtee, who scored a total of six tries three games, Lewis Vinnicombe and Matt Evans also showed up well for the Pirates on the day.

The full squad was Sam Betty, Chris Cracknell, Matt Evans, Owen Hambly, Rhodri McAtee, James Moore, Sam Parsons, Duncan Roke, Lewis Webb, Lewis Vinnicombe.