Cornish Pirates V Coventry

Pirates v Coventry - Sunday 7/01/07 Kick Off 1400

Whilst the New Year fireworks may have subsided for now, it appears the thrilling spectacle at the top of National League One is anything but over as we prepare to head into what could prove a pulsating second half to the season.

Lifted by last weekend's hard-fought victory at Pertemps Bees, the Cornish Pirates insist they are aiming to begin 2007 with something of a bang against visiting Coventry this Sunday (2pm).

Having surrendered their unbeaten home record to near neighbours Plymouth Albion just before Christmas, the Pirates have since returned below decks, hatching a plan to ensure Coventry don't escape with a similar bounty this weekend.

"We have come through a very difficult period of games, but we are still very much in the hunt," declared Pirates coach Jim McKay yesterday. "We may have perhaps under-performed a little bit in recent games, but last week's win has given everyone a real lift and we're really looking forward to building on that result this weekend." Standing in the way of McKay's men will be a Coventry side, who despite a stormy season, both on and off the field, have shown on occasions they are more than capable of mixing it with the division's high and mighty. "This will be the first time we've faced them this season, so they'll be a bit of an unknown in some respects," added McKay. "They've had an unsettled period, but they seem to have come through that now and they have been picking up some good results."

Coach Jim McKay

Certainly on home soil Coventry have showed their worth, boasting an impressive record of seven victories in nine starts. However, it has been on their travels where they have struggled.

Despite opening the season with a 32-17 success over Sedgley Park, then claiming a 13-all draw with Exeter Chiefs a fortnight later, it's been downhill since then for the Midlanders.

However, the start of a New Year could well herald a new dawn for Coventry, who are now under the stewardship of rugby director Phil Ager and coach Dave Addleton following the sudden departure of previous incumbent Mike Umaga in late November.

"Coventry are a good outfit and have some strong players in their side," warned McKay. "They are very much a confidence side, so it will be interesting to see what mood they are in on Sunday.

"Like every side we will give them the respect they deserve, but at the same time I'm looking for our guys to start playing some really good rugby. We had a good meeting in the week where we outlined a few things, so hopefully we can take a few of those things and ideas out onto the field."

With Duncan Roke being rested for this weekend's encounter, McKay is likely to recall Adryan Winnan to fill the full-back slot.

Elsewhere, last weekend's new-look front-row of Grant Anderson, Nick Makin and Sam Heard all performed well in the heavy conditions, whilst fellow forward Dan Seal is sure to come into the reckoning after also impressing when he took to the field in the second half.

As yet, McKay has not finalised his match-day 22, but with a wealth of options right across his squad, the Australian has plenty to ponder ahead of kick-off.

One man hoping to be included in some capacity will be utility back James Moore, who was Coventry's - and National One's - leading scorer last season with 251 points.

Pirates from:
A Winnan, R McAtee, H Barratt, D Bell, S Winn, J Moore, J Hylton, L Vinnicombe, A Di Bernardo
G Cattle (capt), R Wells, G Anderson, N Makin, V Ma'asi, D Seal, S Heard, H Senekal
J Beardshaw, S McKeen, C Cracknell, I Motusaga, S Betty, M Evans, T Cowley.

Adryan Winnan	Rhodri McAtee	Henry Barratt	Duncan Bell	Steve Winn
James Moore	Jonny Hylton	Lewis Vinnicombe	Alberto Di Bernardo	Gavin Cattle (Capt)
Rhodri Wells	Grant Anderson	Nick Makin	Viliami Ma’asi	Dan Seal
Sam Heard	Heino Senekal	Joe Beardshaw	Stan McKeen	Chris Cracknell
Iva Motusaga	Sam Betty	Matt Evans	Tim Cowley