Cornish Pirates

Cornish Pirates v Moseley - Sunday 17 /09/06 Kick Off 1430

Save Money On Advance Tickets

A BIT like the renowned General Napoleon Bonaparte, Cornish Pirates coach Jim McKay now knows what it’s like to a lose a ‘Battle of Waterloo’. However, unlike the famous Frenchman who was exiled to the remote island of St Helena, McKay and his troops will be given a second chance to avenge their surprise 19-16 defeat.

Having opened their campaign with a rousing 39-0 home win over Otley, the Pirates were cannonballed a week later at Blundellsands by a Waterloo side, themselves still licking their wounds following a 45-9 reverse to Plymouth Albion.

“Last weekend was simply not acceptable,” said McKay yesterday. “Fair play to Waterloo, but in terms of our own performance and our own standards, we fell well short of what we expect.
“Perhaps a bit like Napoleon, we underestimated the opposition and what they were capable of. Last week has certainly acted as a timely reminder about how tough this division is – and how any side in the division can beat another if they apply themselves.”

With those words no doubt still ringing in the ears of all the Pirates squad, the Aussie coach is looking for a positive response from his team, who tackle Moseley at Camborne’s Recreation Ground this Sunday (2.30pm).

“It’s important we bounce back at the earliest opportunity,” added McKay, who has wasted little time in making changes to Sunday’s line-up. “It maybe early doors in terms of the season and in terms of people trying to secure their place in the side, but we cannot afford repeats of last week. It’s time to roll our sleeves up, start competing, and really rip into the opposition.”

Changes see Cornishman Adryan Winnan make his first start at full-back in place of Duncan Roke, while winger Rhodri McAtee and centre Duncan Bell are both recalled at the expense of James Moore and Steve Winn.

In the pack, prop Alan Paver takes over at loosehead from Grant Anderson, while Sam Betty gets the nod at seven over Samoan international Iva Motusaga.

“We’ve made a few changes again this week and now it’s up to those blokes who have the jerseys to really stake their claim for a more permanent place in the side,” added McKay, who has warned his side to prepare for another stiff encounter.

Like Waterloo last week, Moseley were promoted – as champions – from National League Two last season. Despite losing 35-13 to Rotherham on their return to National One, the Midlanders underlined their threat by defeating Bedford 44-37 last Saturday.

“To beat Bedford last week was a great win and I’m sure they’ll be feeling pretty confident coming down here,” said McKay. “They’re certainly a useful side, who have got used to winning rugby games. They came up as champions last season and they like to play rugby, so it should set things up nicely for Sunday.”

Included in the visiting line-up are former England A international Daren O’Leary, who made his name in the Premiership with Harlequins, Gloucester and Worcester, plus scrum-half Paul Knight who was recruited from nearby Pertemps Bees and experienced lock Paul Arnold who moved from Nottingham.

Pirates:
15 Adryan Winnan - 14 Rhodri McAtee - 13 Henry Barratt - 12 Duncan Bell
11 Lewis Vinnicombe - 10 Alberto Di Bernardo - 9 Gavin Cattle capt.
8 Matt Evans - 7 Sam Betty - 6 Stan McKeen - 5 Joe Beardshaw
4 Heino Senekal - 3 Sam Heard - 2 Viliami Ma’asi - 1 Alan Paver

Adryan Winnan 15	Rhodri McAtee 14	Henry Barratt 13	Duncan Bell 12	Lewis Vinnicombe 11
Alberto Di Bernardo 10	Gavin Cattle (Capt) 9	Matt Evans 8	Sam Betty 7	Stan McKeen 6
Joe Beardshaw 5	Heino Senekal 4	Sam Heard 3	Viliami Ma’asi 2	Alan Paver 1

Replacements:
16 Owen Hambly - 17 Grant Anderson - 18 Scott Hobson
19 Iva Motusaga - 20 James Moore - 21 Steve Winn - 22 TBC

Owen Hambly 16	Grant Anderson 17	Scott Hobson 18
Iva Motusaga 19	James Moore 20	Steve Winn 21