Despite
being down to bare bones because of injuries, the Cornish Pirates will nevertheless
be fully focused and keen to emerge winners at Sedgley Park for the last away
game of the season. There are certainly chances for
the available players to impress and stake a claim for selection in the potentially
exciting three remaining home games that will follow against Plymouth Albion,
Doncaster and London Welsh, including among them wing Aisea Havili. He is one
of four changes in the backs (plus there one positional - Paul Devlin moving from
outside to inside centre) from the set that started against Leeds last Sunday,
whilst in the forwards there are five more changes. Ben
Gulliver, who has been an ever present this season, and has skippered the side
for much of the campaign, drops to the bench, it a change in personnel that will
see the Pirates start with an international pairing in the second-row in the shape
of Mike Burak (Canada) and Heino Senekal (Namibia). The captain of the side is
yet to be announced. Beaten at home by Nottingham
(5-50) on Wednesday evening, Sedgley Park have now lost 12 games on the trot,
in what for them has been a particularly difficult second half of the season.
Such a sequence of results should encourage the Pirates, but they will
take nothing for granted. Ahead of the match, coach Brett Davey commented: "A
look at the Sedgley Park's results indicates we should feel confident, and we
will be. However, it is essential for us to be on our mettle and to respect our
opponents, as the 'Tigers' have sprung surprises before." A. Winnan, R. McAtee, M. Ireland,
P. Devlin, A, Havili
S. Whatling, N. Griffiths, B. Bedes, S. Betty, B. Cowan
M. Burak, H. Senekal, S. Franklin, R. Elloway, A. Paver Replacements:
S. Heard, D. Dawidiuk, B. Gulliver, C. Morgan, M. Evans, E. Fairhurst, B.
Tuohy.
Officials Referee:
Luke Pearce / TJs: Andrew Vertigan, Peter Facey
Assessors: Andy McMillan ,
Gary Welsh (Referee Coach)
Supporters travelling to
Sedgley Park on Saturday have been asked to 'wear something pink or be fined',
as the first in a series of events the Tigers are running takes place in support
of the Genesis Appeal (which is dedicated to preventing breast cancer - www.genesisuk.org). A
BBQ is planned, there will be an U15s Pink Car Wash, 'Genesis' merchandise stalls,
a kicking competition for U13s, a bouncy castle and a fairground ride, and Pete's
Pies will be on sale. Also, at half-time Mr. Motivator will be presenting a keep
fit and Pink Challenge for spectators. Remember, supporters
must wear pink, as Sedgley Park's Alan 'Two Pound' Taylor is the fines master,
and apparently he misses nobody!! |
