Friendlies at The Mennaye - 12/08/06

Friendly Openers Prove Their Worth

To gauge what fortune the fast approaching rugby season holds, and to get a glimpse of the new signings, a good crowd attended this triple header of forty minute friendlies at the Mennaye

Pirates v Launceston
First was a match between the Pirates and Launceston, both missing several players sidelined with niggling injuries.

The Pirates were generally in control of matters throughout, denying Launceston any quality possession with forwards Tim Cowley and Heino Senekal to the fore.

To their credit the All Blacks defended superbly, leaking just one score which followed quality line-out ball from Senekal at the scoreboard corner.

With play quickly taken to in front of the posts, debutant scrum-half Rhodri Wells darted over for a try, the effort converted by Argentine born fly-half Alberto Di Bernardo who looks to have a solid all round game.

No. 8 Matt Evans had to hobble off with a leg injury, to be replaced in the back-row by young Mike Rawlings who took his chance well.

Cornish Pirates v Launceston
D. Roke, J. Moore, H. Barratt, D. Bell, L. Vinnicombe, A. Di Bernardo, R. Wells, M. Evans (M. Rawlings), S. Betty, T. Cowley, H. Senekal, S. Hobson, S. Heard, O. Hambly, G. Anderson.

Sam Heard, Duncan Bell & Heino Senekal Running out from the Mennaye tunnel to start the season off	Looks of expectation Lock Heino Senekal jumping in the line-out Scott Hobson and Tim Cowley watching
Sam Heard & Owen Hambly (Picture Simon Bryant Iktis Photo)	Owen Hambly (Picture Simon Bryant Iktis Photo)

Pirates v Ebbw Vale
The second game pitted Welsh Premiership outfit Ebbw Vale - coached by former England lock Alex Codling - against a Pirates side showing several changes.

This was expected to be a sterner test for the home team, and so it proved. Ebbw Vale had a number of able performers in their ranks, including captain and No. 8 Craig Cleaver, and Wales ’A’ lock Neil Edwards.

For the Pirates, former Redruth winger Lewis Vinnicombe had a couple of scything runs, but it was full-back Adryan Winnan who perhaps impressed most. Entering the line at varying angles in attack, he was also brave under the high ball, picking himself up from one hefty dumping not to flinch the slightest when tested again only seconds later.

It looked likely that the game would end in a nil-all draw, but when Ebbw Vale broke strongly from their half, wing Craig Jones fed the ball to supporting centre Kristian Owen who stretched to score an unconverted try in the clubhouse corner of the ground.

Cornish Pirates v Ebbw Vale
A. Winnan, J. Hylton, D. Bell, S. Winn, L. Vinnicombe (S. Parsons), J. Moore, R. Wells, T. Cowley, S. Betty, M. Rawlings, J. Beardshaw, S. Hobson, S. Heard, V. Ma’asi, A. Paver.

At the end of the first two match sessions a number of supporters left, but they missed the most entertaining contest of the evening between Ebbw Vale and Launceston.

Ebbw Vale and Launceston
The Welsh side were clearly the favourites and it looked ominous for Launceston when full-back Andy McLaughlan scored a try to give Ebbw Vale an early 5-0 lead.

However, the Cornish ‘All Blacks’ are made of stern stuff, & respnded immediately to create a fine score of their own which was set up by lock Brett Luxton and centre Ryan Westren.

Their efforts enabled a determined pack of forwards to group as one and power to the line for No. 8 Dave Kimberley to apply the required downward pressure. Fly-half Mark Scrivener converted and Launceston were in the lead.

As the game developed the Cornish side were holding their own - against the run of play - when flanker John Bowd scored a try converted by fly-half Sam Mills, and Owen crossed for his second try of the day.

The Launceston back-row of Wayne Sprangle, Josh Lord and Kimberley were outstanding, deserving a second late score side conjured up by wing Jake Murphy who picked a clever line to take Westren’s inside pass and run clear to the line.

Referee/Touch Judges:
Steve Harland, Andy Bickle and Peter Huckle

All three teams had shown genuine commitment throughout, but the Pirates will be looking for just a little more polish when they take on the challenge of the Gwent Dragons at Camborne this coming Saturday, kick-off 3p.m.

It will be the Cornish team’s first run out at the Recreation Ground, Camborne, where admission is just £5 for adults and £ 1 for children

Former Pirate favourites Joe Bearman and Matt Jess are likely to feature in the Dragons strong squad, one which has been boosted still further with the arrival from Newcastle Falcons of former Wales and British Lions player Colin Charvis.