Academy/Development V Westcountry Warriors (Plymouth Albion)

Cornish Pirates Academy/Development XV 0 - Westcountry Warriors (Plymouth Albion) 34

A pre-match look at the respective teams indicated that a healthy win for the visiting team was always on the cards, and so it proved.

However, that is not say that the young Pirates side, boosted by the inclusion of a number of SWERA players, plus one or two other gifted local youngsters, did not play their part in an entertaining match, showing a good mix of both commitment and skill.

The Warriors, a representative Plymouth Albion team, also had a good number of young players in their line-up, but to boost them there were several experienced performers that they called upon, including former Pirates Nat Saumi and James Owen.

Owen must have thoroughly enjoyed his return to the Mennaye Field, looking a lively leader who crossed for both of their tries scored in the first half, one of which fly-half David Delaney converted.

The tight five strength in the Devon team was a telling factor, but the Pirates still had their moments with hooker Owen Hambly, prop Peter Joyce, and the half-back pairing of Rhodri Wells and Mike Provis doing well.

The Pirates continued the second period still not in awe of their opponents, tackling aggressively, and managing to hold off any meaningful onslaught, until the last quarter when their defence suddenly faltered. Wing Steve Johns scored a third try for the Warriors at the scoreboard corner, converted by Delaney who then slotted a simple penalty chance on offer.

Two late efforts from replacement wing Jon Fabian and No. 8 Jake Childs then followed, the latter’s try converted by Delaney to wrap up an ultimately comfortable win for the Albion representatives.

Westcountry Warriors
Scorers: tries: Owen (2), Johns, Fabian, Childs; cons: Delaney (3); pen: Delaney.

Cornish Pirates –
15 Lewis Webb, 14 John Cook, 13 Paul Texeira, 12 Sam Parsons, 11 John Morrison, 10 Mike Provis,
9 Rhodri Wells, 8 Toby Freeman, 7 Chris Quick, 6 Mike Rawlings, 5 Stuart Crew, 4 Scott McLean,
3 Doug Woods, 2 Owen Hambly ©, 1 Peter Joyce.

Replacements (all used) – Steve Bryant, Ollie Faulkner, Nick Hitchens, Karl Martin, Ben Fox, Trystan Nolan, Dan Job, Darren Dawidiuk, Matt Tarby.

Westcountry Warriors
15 Nat Saumi, 14 Darren Ritchie, 13 Aaron Cruickshank, 12 Ross Allen, 11 Steve Johns, 10 David Delaney
9 Matt Newman, 8 Jake Childs, 7 Chris Lowrie, 6 Frederico Genoud, 5 Bryn Jenkins, 4 Ed King, 3 Tim Mathias
2 James Owen ©, 1 Gareth Evans.

Replacements (all used) – Andy Swainson, Brian Venables, Jon Fabian, James Titihas, Rob Bowles.

Referee – Mr. Nigel Higginson