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Newbury Blues V Cornish Pirates Monks Lane
Saturday 28th February
Kick Off 3pm |  |
With
postponed games against Newbury and Doncaster still to be played, the first of
these has been rescheduled to take place this Saturday at Monks Lane, Newbury.
Understandably buoyant following their fully deserved
victory at Moseley last weekend, the Pirates will be keen not only to record another
worthy win on the road, but to also secure the double against a team whom they
beat 48-5 at Camborne on the opening day of this National One campaign. A
level of caution, however, will still be the rule, as on their day Newbury have
it in them to upset anyone. The Blues drew 12-all at Otley last Saturday following
a match earlier that week when they beat a Harlequins XV 26-22 in a 'friendly'
at Monks Lane - their first game at home since playing Bedford on the 27th December. Considering
18 players left Newbury at the end of last season, including influential performers
such as Aussie fly-half Tim Walsh, scrum-half Dan Smaje, and our own Chris Morgan,
it is perhaps no surprise that the Berkshire club has struggled just a little.
However, two gifted former Pirates, wing Jonny Hylton and
centre Marc Sweeney, are in their squad - Jonny in his second year there, whilst
Marc, who had a successful spell with the Cornish All Blacks and has played for
England Counties, is in his first. Another face known to
Cornish rugby supporters is that of fly-half Gareth Griffiths, who was loaned
from Bristol's Premiership Academy to Redruth last season, and is presently Newbury's
top points scorer.
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