EDF National Trophy Quarter Final

Cup Test At Doncaster

Doncaster v Cornish Pirates
Saturday March 3rd 2007

CORNISH Pirates coach Jim McKay insists lessons have been learnt in the aftermath of last weekend's league defeat to Exeter Chiefs - and the Australian is confident his side will respond in tomorrow's EDF Energy National Trophy quarter-final with Doncaster at Castle Park (2.30pm).

Last Saturday's 11-6 reverse was the Cornish club's first setback of 2007 and brought to an end a run of seven successive victories for the Pirates.

Now 16 points adrift of National One leaders Leeds Tykes, it appears any thoughts the Pirates had of winning the coveted league crown were all but extinguished by their Devon neighbours a week ago.

However, the target of a first-ever appearance at the home of English rugby has now taken pride of place in the thinking of those down in West Cornwall.

"Last week was disappointing, but we can't dwell on that for too long," said a defiant McKay yesterday. "Fair play to Exeter they did very well against us, but at the same time we didn't convert our pressure into points. We were banging away looking to knock down a door which, if we had tried another door, we may have been able to open.

"We've talked about that game this week, but now is the time to move on and refocus our thoughts again. This week is all about the Cup and that is the only thing we need to worry about."

Not that McKay and his men will be thinking too far into the distance. A first-ever appearance at Twickenham looms tantalisingly on the horizon for the Duchy outfit, who first must overcome a Donny side no doubt looking for revenge following defeats in both league encounters this season.

Jim McKay

"We respect Doncaster, but we don't fear them," added McKay. "What happened in those two previous games is pretty irrelevant this weekend, it's who does what on the day. Of course having beaten them before will give us a little bit of confidence going up there, but as I said, it will all come down to what we do on the day."

Certainly the Pirates will be hoping to replicate the same kind of winning formula they showed on their last visit to Yorkshire in this competition. In wintry conditions at Headingley last month, it took a late, late try from prop Alan Paver, which was converted by fly-half Alberto Di Bernardo to give the visitors a narrow 18-17 success.

"That was a pretty special result, not only for the players and the staff, but also the supporters as well," added McKay. "We showed real self belief that night and it was another important chapter in our development."

Something similar will be required tomorrow against the Knights, who have already seen off Rosslyn Park (62-7) and London Welsh (51-3) to reach the last eight. Indeed, the Yorkshire club have a wealth of experience and talent in their ranks, including the likes of Dave Scully, Ben Gollings, Ngalu Tau, Dan Cook and former Pirate Wes Davies. Donny coach Clive Griffiths, however, will not finalise his line-up until tomorrow morning.

To combat the home threat, McKay has tweaked his side slightly from that which took to the field at Sandy Park. In come former Redruth pair Sam Heard and Lewis Vinnicombe with Dan Seal and Jon Hylton the men to make way.

Pirates Team

A Winnan; R McAtee, D Roke, D Bell, L Vinnicombe; A Di Bernardo, G Cattle (capt); A Paver, V Ma'asi, S Heard; H Senekal, J Beardshaw; S McKeen, I Motusaga, T Cowley.