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Conditions favour Cornish boys
 

Exeter United 5 Cornish Pirates /AcademyDevelopment XV 34
04/12/06

Despite the often horrible weather experienced to date this season, supporters have still been able to witness some fine games of rugby, as was the case on Monday evening when this match was played at Exeter's impressive new Sandy Park Stadium.

Playing the first half with the wind and rain on their backs, it was vital that the Cornish side took advantage of the elements in the first period, which they did with telling effect.

Hooker Darren Dawidiuk, who had made his National 1 debut as a replacement against Waterloo the day before, scored two tries, with one a piece also for prop Grant Anderson and livewire scrum-half Rhodri Wells.

Fly-half Mike Provis, in fine kicking form all night, slotted three conversions and a penalty, whilst in reply the United team managed just one try scored by No. 8 Jamie Fleming.

Besides Dawidiuk, young open-side flanker Duke Seymour was an outstanding performer and Fijian prop Ravuama Samo an effective ball carrier.

Conditions underfoot were unbelievably good, but playing into the strong wind in the second half meant that Academy coaches Robin Cowling and Ricky Pellow had to make sure that their charges applied the right tactics demanded in the second forty, and they need never have worried.

The Cornish Pirates representatives kept things tight, refused to kick away any ball, and all but denied the hosts any possession for the first twenty minutes. The team showed immense control, the opportunity also taken to introduce younger players to proceedings from the bench.

The Exeter side were understandably frustrated, being denied any second half points, the Pirates completing a good evening's work when skipper and No. 8 Adam Nicholls crossed the line for his team's fifth and last try of the night.

Scorers:-

Exeter - try: Fleming.

Pirates
 Tries: Dawidiuk (2), Anderson, Wells, Nicholls
Cons: Provis (3); pen: Provis.

Pirates Team
L. Webb, A. Waller, O. Faulkner, S. Parsons, L. Vinnicombe, M. Provis, R. Wells, A. Nicholls (c)
D. Seymour, M. Rawlings, S. Hobson, S. McLean, R. Samo, D. Dawidiuk, G. Anderson.

Replacements (all used)
G. Tedstone, L. Varney, S. Black, J. Eddy, N. Hitchens, S. Bryant, J. Morrison.

 

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