Pirates v Gwent Dragons

Cornish Pirates v Gwent Dragons At Camborne - Sat 19th. August Kick off 3pm

Admission £5 for adults and £1 for children

AS the Cornish Pirates prepare to tackle Celtic League side, the Newport-Gwent Dragons for a third successive pre-season, Jim McKay’s side have already been busy getting to grips with their Welsh opponents.

With the two poised to christen the Pirates first-ever game at their new Camborne base on Saturday (3pm), the rival sides yesterday engaged in a friendly training game as they continue their build-up to the new season. Coach McKay is a close friend of Dragons counterpart Paul Turner and the two have been keen to maximise their preparations by working together in a bid to ensure both sides hit the forthcoming campaign at full speed. “We’re looking to help each other out as much as possible,” said McKay yesterday. “We’ve had a trial game against each other today, but Saturday it will be the real thing and will be looking for a big improvement on last week.”

Hosting local counterparts the Cornish All Blacks and Welsh club side Ebbw Vale, the Pirates opened up their pre-season with a triangular tournament at the Mennaye Field last Saturday. In two separate 40-minute work-outs, the Pirates defeated the All Blacks 5-0, but were undone by Ebbw Vale 7-0 in the second game.

It proved a worthwhile exercise for the new-look Pirates, but McKay is keen for his team to show another upward curve in their performance level. The Australian said: “We’re not going to dissect last week too much. We did some good things, but there were also areas that we’ve had to work on.

“This weekend will certainly be a good test for us as the Dragons are a higher-league side with some very good players in their team.”

In previous clashes with the Dragons, the visitors have emerged victors on both occasions. Two years ago they defeated their Cornish hosts 53-8, but last season it was a much closer affair before they finally triumphed 23-19.

Among those set to be on display for the Dragons are former Pirates Matt Jess and Joe Bearman, the latter of whom capped his debut for his new club with two tries in their victory over a Gwent Premier XV at Pandy Park. However, the links do not stop their as the Pirates themselves have recruited from tomorrow’s opposition, centre Steve Winn was one of a number of new signings made by the club during the summer.

“It will be good to see Matt and Joe again,” added McKay, who has confirmed Canadian international Stan McKeen will make his Pirates debut at No.8. “It will be kind of surreal for both of them coming up against us, especially Joe as he was here for so long, but it’s a new era for them and for us and we have to move on.”

As well as McKeen and Winn, the Pirates will also include summer signings Jon Hylton, Henry Barrett, Alberto Di Bernardo, Rhodri Wells and Sam Heard in their starting line-up.

Pirates
15 Duncan Roke, 14 Rhodri McAtee, 13 Henry Barratt, 12 Steve Winn, 11 Jonny Hylton, 10 Alberto Di Bernardo, 9 Rhodri Wells, 8 Stan McKeen, 7 Sam Betty, 6 Tim Cowley, 5 Joe Beardshaw, 4 Heino Senekal, 3 Sam Heard, 2 Viliami Ma’asi, 1 Alan Paver.

Duncan Roke 15	Rhodri McAtee 14	Henry Barratt 13	Steve Winn 12	Jonny Hylton 11
Alberto Di Bernardo 10	Rhodri Wells 9	Stan McKeen 8	Sam Betty 7	Tim Cowley 6
Joe Beardshaw 5	Heino Senekal 4	Sam Heard 3	Viliami Ma’asi 2	Alan Paver 1

Replacements – Dan Seal, Scott Hobson, Owen Hambly, Mike Rawlings, Sam Parsons, Lewis Vinnicombe, Duncan Bell, James Moore.

Dan Seal	Scott Hobson	Owen Hambly	Mike Rawlings	Sam Parsons
	Lewis Vinnicombe	Duncan Bell	James Moore

Gwent Dragons
15 Aled Thomas, 14 Gareth Wyatt, 13 Nathan Brew, 12 Ashley Smith, 11 Richard Fussell, 10 Ceri Sweeney, 9 Gareth Baber, 8 Nic Fitisemanu, 7 Jamie Ringer, 6 Joe Bearman, 5 Peter Sidoli, 4 Bryn Griffiths, 3 Rhys Thomas, 2 Steve Jones, 1 Adam Black.

Ben Daly, Lee Harrison, Ian Gough, Luke Charteris, Andy Hall, James Harris, Lewis Evans, Alec Walker, Craig Warlow, Aled Brew, Gareth Ball, Matt Jess.