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Cornish Pirates v Exeter CAST your mind back to January and it was Exeter who ended the Cornish Pirates' proud unbeaten home record at Kenwyn. Fast forward the clock nine months and it's the Devon club who will be out to repeat the feat when the two sides collide at Camborne's Recreation Ground on Sunday (2.30pm). For players and supporters of the Chiefs, Jason Luff's dramatic last-gasp try not only ensured a happy homeward journey back up the A30, but it helped the visitors avenge their earlier 43-16 drubbing at the County Ground. So, with honours even last term, it's into this current campaign and Sunday's tussle, one which promises to be just as difficult to predict a victor. Looking at the form guide, this weekend's two runners head into battle with somewhat contrasting fortunes under their belts following last weekend's latest run-outs. Whilst the Pirates made it four from four at Camborne with their 34-5 destruction of Bedford, 24 hours earlier the Chiefs were slipping to a first-ever home defeat at their new Sandy Park Stadium, Waterloo returning North with the points following their 22-13 success. That was Waterloo's second success of the season, the other was last month when they undid the Pirates 19-16 at Blundellsands. A second defeat followed for Jim McKay's side a fortnight later at Leeds, but since then the Cornish club have been in sparkling form, dispatching the likes of Newbury, Doncaster, Sedgley Park and Bedford in as many weeks. It is a run of form which has lifted the Cornishmen to second in the standings, just four points behind league leaders Rotherham, and one which has not gone unnoticed in either camp.
"That said, it's a big game for both clubs. It's a local derby, so it's not just about league points. Between the three of us - Exeter, Plymouth and Penzance - there is that rivalry about being the best in the west. These games are always tight and Sunday won't be any different. "Obviously we beat Plymouth at our place, but we've still got to go to their place and we've got to play the Pirates twice. These are great occasions for everyone, but it's not just all about these games, it's the others as well. "It's no good us performing for these matches and then not producing in the other games. We know where we went wrong last week and we've looked at ways of addressing the problems this week. "The issues were certainly not major ones, but we must make sure we are competitive for the whole 80 minutes, not just at certain times in the game." Certainly Baxter believes the Chiefs will have to be fully focused for the whole 80 minutes against their Cornish hosts. He added: "Sunday will be a massive test of character for our guys. It will be a big ask, but I feel we've got that group of players who are capable of going down there and performing on the day." As they proved last season, the Chiefs are more than capable of staging an upset. Not that those in the home camp are wanting any kind of repeat showing. "Last season's game has been mentioned," added Hewitt. "A few of the boys have said how disappointed they were after that game, but that's gone and the focus is on this weekend. "We're really looking forward to it. We're on a bit of a roll at the moment and we'd like to keep it going. Beating Bedford was a big win for us, but Sunday will be just as tough and we have to be ready for that."
Pirates officials are advising all supporters to arrive early for the game. Pirates A Winnan; L Vinnicombe, D Roke, D Bell, R McAtee; A Di Bernardo, G
Replacements
Chiefs:
Replacements: S Jenkins, R Liddington, J Hanks, M Rickner, I Wilson, A Staniforth, P Fisher
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"It's
going to be a big ask for us on Sunday," admitted Exeter coach Rob Baxter.
"They are obviously in good form and we are coming off the back of a defeat
last week.
