Cornish Pirates

Cornish Pirates v Exeter
Sunday October 29nd 2006 kick Off 1430

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.

"Like us, Exeter had the Waterloo experience last week," said Pirates assistant coach Mark Hewitt. "That was a really disappointing result for us, but since then we've done very well and played some excellent rugby. "I'm sure Exeter will be looking to do the same as us and bounce back as quickly as possible. They are a very good side with some very dangerous players in their squad. They beat both Rotherham and Plymouth at home, so that underlines the threat they pose." However, for the Chiefs to return to winning ways, they must first overcome a Pirates side that have adapted well to life at Camborne, their third playing base in as many years.

Mark Hewitt

"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.

"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."

With lock Heino Senekal away on international duty with Namibia, the Pirates will be forced into at least one change. On-loan Harlequins forward James Inglis is his likely replacement, although Scott Hobson is another option. The Chiefs, meanwhile, have shuffled their pack for the game. Sam Blythe, Alan Miller and former Pirate Ollie Hodge are brought in for Simon Jenkins, Michael Rickner and James Hanks respectively, while behind Kavin Barrett is restored at scrum-half and Mark Fatialofa, another ex-Pirate, comes in for Pete Fisher in the centre.

James Inglis

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
Cattle (capt); A Paver, V Ma'asi, S Heard; J Inglis, J Beardshaw; S McKeen,
I Motusaga, M Evans.

Adryan Winnan	Lewis Vinnicombe	Duncan Roke	Duncan Bell	Rhodri McAtee
Alberto Di Bernardo	Gavin Cattle (Capt)	Alan Paver	Viliami Ma’asi	Sam Heard
James Inglis	Joe Beardshaw	Stan McKeen	Iva Motusaga	Matt Evans

Replacements
(from): G Anderson, O Hambly, S Hobson, TCowley, S Betty, J Moore, S Winn, H Barratt.

Grant Anderson	Owen Hambly	Scott Hobson	Tim Cowley	Sam Betty
	James Moore	Steve Winn	Henry Barratt

Chiefs:
B Breeze; J Luff, J Fatialofa, M Fatialofa, T Bedford; T Yapp, K Barrett, S Bennett, S Blythe
J Horn-Smith; O Hodge, I Brown; T Walker, A Miller, R Baxter (capt).

Replacements: S Jenkins, R Liddington, J Hanks, M Rickner, I Wilson, A Staniforth, P Fisher