Otley v Pirates

Otley Preview

Otley v Cornish Pirates
Saturday November 25th 2006 - Kick Off 2.15 pm

Pirates coach Jim McKay has warned his table-topping outfit they will have to be at their "very best" if they are to get anything from tomorrow's trip to Otley (2.15pm).

Last Sunday's 41-13 victory over London Welsh not only helped the Pirates to consolidate their pole position in National League One, but it enabled McKay's men to stretch their winning streak to eight successive games.

Tomorrow, the Cornish club will be looking to make that nine on the bounce against an Otley side they defeated handsomely in their seasonal opener at Camborne, 39-0.

On that occasion Otley's attacking prowess was toothless, whilst in defence they left too many gaping holes which their full-time hosts were happy to accept with aplomb.

It's unlikely they will adopt a similar approach on home turf tomorrow. Indeed, as McKay was quick to stress yesterday: "We'll have to be at our very best if we want to get anything from Saturday's game.

"It's a great rugby club with some wonderful people. I'm sure we'll enjoy some fine Yorkshire hospitality before and after the game, but during it we know we will be in for a tough and uncompromising battle.

"Traditionally Otley are very strong at home, so it's going to be tough for our boys.

Simon Binns is obviously a very big threat for them at fly-half - and they've brought in two new props Justin Wring (Bristol) and Steve Barretto (Doncaster) on loan to help bolster their front-row. But it's not just about those three blokes, they've got threats all over the field and we have to be ready to stop them."

Certainly the Australian coach will be hoping his side can replicate the same kind of display they showed in the second half of the London Welsh game.

Coach Jim McKay

McKay admitted afterwards that his side's first half display had not been acceptable and that stern words were expressed during the half-time interval.

"We were pretty disappointed with the first half last week. We didn't perform and we played too much like individuals," added the Pirates chief. "We had a chat at half-time and the second half was much, much better. It was probably some of the best rugby we've played this season."

Whatever was said during that break, it clearly had the desired effect as the Pirates ran in 29 unanswered points in a one-sided second half, which McKay now wants to see replicated, but for the whole 80 minutes tomorrow.

Welsh winger Rhodri McAtee led the way with a hat-trick of tries and he lines-up in a Pirates starting side that shows just two changes to last Sunday.

A hamstring injury to Iva Motusaga means Sam Betty starts at openside flanker, while Heino Senekal is preferred to James Inglis in the second row.

"The Heino decision was a really tough one because James has done such a great job since he came into the side," said McKay. "Iva's injury just means Sam [Betty] steps up to start and Tim Cowley comes onto the bench."

An injury to Nick Makin also means that Academy youngster Darren Dawiduik has been recalled from his loan spell at Redruth to fill the hooker void on the bench.

"Darren has done very well during his loan spell at Redruth," added McKay. "He's not only gained some good experience, but he's come back to us match-fit and ready for action, which is good. It's been a win-win situation for both clubs."

Darren Dawiduik

Pirates (from):
A Winnan; R McAtee, D Roke, S Winn, L Vinnicombe; A Di Bernardo, G Cattle (capt), A Paver
V Ma'asi, S Heard; H Senekal, J Beardshaw; C Cracknell, S Betty, M Evans.


Adryan Winnan	Rhodri McAtee	Duncan Roke	Steve Winn	Lewis Vinnicombe

Alberto Di Bernardo	Gavin Cattle (Capt)	Alan Paver	Viliami Ma’asi	Sam Heard

Heino Senekal	Joe Beardshaw	Chris Cracknell	Sam Betty	Matt Evans