TIM
Cowley believes a bright future lies ahead for the Cornish Pirates and he wants
to be part of it after signing a new deal with the National League One club.
The Kiwi forward yesterday became the latest Pirate to commit his
future to the club for next season - and the news has been warmly welcomed by
his coach, Jim McKay.
The Australian said: "Having Tim on board again
next season is great news for us. He's a great player and a real leader out on
the pitch for us.
"He offers the team a great deal when he plays
and his versatility is obviously a great asset to us."
The 28-year-old
- who has made 15 appearances this season, scoring two tries - was signed by McKay's
predecessor, Kevin Moseley, at the start of the 2004/05 season from Manchester.
And his all-action displays have won his many admirers not only in the Duchy,
before across the rugby fraternity.
Cowley himself is delighted to
have pledged his immediate future to the Pirates. He said: "The season has gone
very well and we've been able to finish third, which is a great achievement. Having
a few injuries was a bit disappointing, but I've played in some really good games
of rugby.
"The Exeter away game at the start of the season was pretty
memorable and so was Otley away. We went up there as underdogs, but we really
dug in and didn't allow ourselves to take any backward steps."
Cowley
was last night jetting home to New Zealand for an end-of-season break, but he
admitted he was looking forward to coming back to Cornwall.
"It's
a great place," he said. "The support for rugby down there is a bit like home.
Before when I was at Manchester that was a football city, but in Cornwall everyone
is always talking about rugby."
The Pirates culimate their season
on Saturday when London Welsh are the visitors to the Mennaye Field (3pm).
