Nottingham
V Cornish Pirates Sunday January 11th
Kick Off 3pm | |  |
Notts
County FC's Meadow Lane ground is the venue where the 'Green & Whites' of
Nottingham RFC play their home games, with it is expected that a large contingent
of Cornishman will gather there this Sunday (ko 3pm). The
Merry Men of Nottingham will be eager for match action, their scheduled match
away against Sedgley Park having been postponed last Saturday, which for them
was the second time this season that a postponement has occurred. Looking forward
to this coming weekend, ground staff have presently covered the pitch at Meadow
Lane to ensure that it is in the best possible condition for the Notts County
versus Exeter football match on Saturday, and the Nottingham versus Cornish Pirates
game on Sunday. Nottingham were a revelation last season,
a final third-place finish beyond their wildest dreams. Presently fifth, but having
played two games less than the two sides above them, they will hope to climb back
to third, and with a squad that has seen few changes. Their Kiwi Director of Rugby,
Glenn Delaney, is clearly of the view that by retaining and developing the obvious
quality within their ranks, it has given them an edge.. Besides
Glenn Delaney, the Nottingham squad itself possesses a number of other influential
New Zealanders, including flanker Chris Hammond. He has been playing in a particularly
useful back-row alongside Luke Sherriff (their leading try-scorer last season
with 13) and No. 8 Dan Montagu, whilst in the outsides they also have danger men
aplenty. Full-back Dave Jackson is their top points and try-scorer (second best
in the division), and in Nigerian born Ayoola Arinle, on loan from Wasps and who
has played for England Saxons, they certainly have a midfield powerhouse to watch
out for. Of other backs, youngsters such as Jack Cobden and Alex Dodge, who have
close links with Leicester Tigers, are gifted performers.. Having
lost both matches played against Nottingham in 2007-08, the Pirates were downed
again (20-31) when the teams met at Camborne in September, so there's no lack
of incentive to exact revenge. A tough challenge is guaranteed, but to record
a win against such a useful side would be just the fillip wanted in what will
be the team's first away match in 2009.
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