Having
not had a match at home for three weeks, supporters of the Cornish Pirates will
be looking forward to this Sunday's National League One encounter against Esher
(ko 2pm) - the wait likely to have been well worth it! All
gathering at the 'Rec' should be in for a treat, as Esher like to play an expansive
game and the Pirates are surely likely to play in a style that delighted all who
watched the match at Exeter. The Pirates side shows two
changes from the one that ran out against the Chiefs. Rhodri McAtee returns to
the starting line-up in place of the injured Vunga Lilo, and Bruce Cumming makes
a welcome return to full fitness to slot alongside Heino Senekal in the second-row.
Scott Hobson, who has played very well during Bruce's absence,
is presently on duty with England U20s for their Six Nations campaign. Visitors
Esher have selected a set of backs that pose a real threat. The half-back pairing
of Llyr Lane and Dave Slemen is an experienced one, fly-half Slemen having played
for clubs including Connacht and Harlequins in the past, and him the son of former
England British Lions wing Mike Slemen. Out wide they have
two potent finishers in wings Matt Moore and Charlie Amesbury, who have also both
played for the 'Quins'. Moore has scored 47 tries for Esher in their past two
seasons, and Amesbury has starred for the England Sevens team. Also
included in the Esher line-up is Cornish lock forward Adam Harris, while on the
bench they have named former Ireland and British Lions centre Rob Henderson. The
'EEEs', who were promoted as Champions of National two last season under the direction
of former Canadian international Mike Schmid, have done very well playing at a
higher level, it often not so easy to make the adjustment. Founded
in 1923, Esher first played the Pirates thirty years later in September, 1953,
a game we won 12-0 back at the Mennaye Field. Tries for the Pirates were scored
by Chris May, Jimmy Jenkin and Charlie Brighton (brother of Richard), with Mike
Jenkin also slotting over a dropped goal. Our last home
league match meeting was again at the Mennaye Field in April, 2003, the Pirates
winning 36-29 in a season that saw us promoted as Champions of National Two. Also,
at the same venue in October, 2004, we were comfortable 64-0 victors in the Powergen
Cup. The two teams last met at Esher's 'Pillar Data Arena'
ground last October, when the Pirates won 24-14. | 
