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