Cornish Pirates

Cornish Pirates v Nottingham
Sunday March 11th 2007 Kick Off 1430

HAVING returned home to port with a National Trophy semi-final berth safely in the bag last Saturday, the Cornish Pirates switch their attentions back to National League One duty this weekend with the visit of Nottingham to the Recreation Ground on Sunday (2.30pm).

The Cornishmen's 13-10 success over Doncaster not only helped Jim McKay's side edge ever closer to Twickenham - near neighbours Plymouth Albion now stand in the way of that dream - but it also ensured the Pirates claimed a notable hat-trick of victories over the Yorkshire-based Knights this season.

With the top two of Leeds Tykes and Rotherham edging further ahead in the current league standings, the battle for third spot at least promises to be an interesting one as the season heads into the final furlong.

Third-placed Doncaster - who have played a game more - currently head the Pirates by just two points, while four points back again are Albion, who after a run of four successive league defeats have themselves returned to winning ways in recent weeks.

At the summit, Leeds - who last weekend confirmed the signing of Pirates' top-scorer Alberto Di Bernardo for next season - are riding high on 100 points, three ahead of Rotherham who provide the opposition at Camborne a week on Sunday when the Sky TV cameras will also be in town.

For many outside observers, the chance of the Pirates catching Leeds between now and the end of the season remains remote. However, the opportunity of hunting down Rotherham is well within the crosshairs of McKay and his men.

"Last Saturday has gone and now we have to focus our minds back on the league again," warned McKay yesterday. "Nottingham are a very good side, who have scored a lot of points and a lot of tries this season, so we're expecting them to come down here and really give it a go against us. "They showed up at their place that they will keep playing and will keep going for the full 80 minutes. I've no doubt it will be a good test for us, but we're back at home and hopefully the boys can put together another really big performance." Certainly last week's victory at Castle Park was based around a determined effort from the visitors and their Australian coach is hoping for more of the same when they take to the field on Sunday. "Last week was a very good win for us, but it's gone now and we have to move on again," added McKay. "We know we have some very big games coming up against Rotherham and Plymouth Albion, but the focus for now and until Sunday is all about Nottingham and nothing else."

Jim McKay

With a whole host of demanding fixtures looming on the horizon, McKay admits he could well be tempted to reshuffle certain areas of his side for Sunday's encounter.

Among those hoping to get the nod will be Grant Anderson, Nick Makin, James Inglis, Chris Cracknell and Matt Evans in the pack, while behind Steve Winn, Lewis Vinnicombe and James Moore are all likely to feature at some stage.

Despite not having started since facing his former club Coventry back in early January, Moore manfully took over the responsibilities of the role at No.10, his piece de resistance being his last-gasp, 30-metre drop-goal to seal victory.

"Moorey did really well last week," said McKay. "He came in and really made a mark, which is all you can ask for. He's a different player to Bert [Di Bernardo], but he brought a steady influence and his kicking was exceptional."

Pirates Team

A Winnan, R McAtee, D Roke, D Bell, S Winn, J Hylton, L Vinnicombe, J Moore, G Cattle (capt), R Wells
A Paver, G Anderson, N Makin, V Ma'asi, S Heard, J Inglis, H Senekal, J Beardshaw, T Cowley
C Cracknell, I Motusaga, M Evans.

Adryan Winnan	Rhodri McAtee	Duncan Roke	Duncan Bell	Steve Winn
Jonny Hylton	Lewis Vinnicombe	James Moore	Gavin Cattle (Capt)	Rhodri Wells
Alan Paver	Grant Anderson	Nick Makin	Viliami Ma’asi	Sam Heard
James Inglis	Heino Senekal	Joe Beardshaw	Tim Cowley	Chris Cracknell
	Iva Motusaga	Matt Evans