Cornish Pirates

For the pre-match music it was a case of Puccini replacing pop at Camborne on Saturday, as the 'Rec' took on a distinctly continental flavour for the Cornish Pirates second pre-season 'friendly'.

Italian 'Super 10' side Almaviva Capitolina were the welcome visitors who were expected to provide the Pirates with some serious opposition, their Argentinean coaches Francisco Rubio and Gonzalo Camardon having at their disposal a mix of quality performers.

Making an impressive debut for the Pirates was Samoan international fly-half Doug Sanft who kicked the game off and immediately proceeded to set up a good link with scrum-half Nick Griffiths. Also, in the home pack, which was one that had a distinct physical edge about it, flanker Chris Morgan looked forthrightly assertive as the Pirates took early control. Former Northampton 'Saint' Luke Myring, playing at fly-half for the visitors, endeavoured to get his back line flowing. However, when a penalty was conceded on half-way, which was then taken forward 10 metres for back-chatting, Sanft stepped forward to coolly register the first points.

Doug Sanft Making an impressive debut

From the restart, Capitolina centre Gregorio Rebecchini made space for Myring to go close at the scoreboard corner, but with inspirational home skipper Adryan Winnan running out of defence, the ball was soon relayed to Sanft who posted the ball to the safety of touch.

Holding territorial advantage, wing Rhodri McAtee weaved his way into the opposition '22', with a scrum set for the Pirates on the right. Nothing came from a first powerful assault to the line by No. 8 Bertrand Bedes, but when a second chance was gifted on the left, the Frenchman scored a try for the second week running. Sanft added the extras. Pirates centre Mark Ireland was then adjudged to have made a dangerous tackle, him yellow-carded and the Pirates further punished when Capitolina's New Zealand-born full-back Tim Manawatu stepped forward to slot the penalty.

Try For Bertrand Bedes

It was not long before Italian lock Luca Mastrodomenico was also sent to the sin bin by referee Michael Tutty, it during the spell of playing 14-a-side that the Pirates conjured up a second well worked for try, it this time finished off by Morgan.

On the half-hour mark, the gifted Manawatu was just off target with a second penalty effort from 43 metres, him then almost stunning the crowd when a drop goal attempt from well inside his own half missed by a whisker.

As the half drew to a close, the Pirates were put under pressure once more, and grateful to alert winger Aisea 'Ice' Havili who chased back to foil the danger posed after visiting scrum-half Giulio Toniolatti had sniped and chipped to the right.

When the second half got underway, both sides having made changes during the break, it was not long before the visitors were back in the match when experienced skipper and prop forward Fernando Guatieri's try was converted by Manawatu. However, the Pirates response was incisive and immediate, as with sharpness and control a try was scored first by wing replacement Marika Vakacegu, who is another that looks like a shrewd new signing, followed with one by Winnan, converted by replacement fly-half Ollie Thomas. A clever cross-field kick from Manawatu set up a converted try for lock Gaston Llanos, but as the game drew to a close the fitness levels of the Pirates gave them dominance.

"Marika Vakacegu, looks like a shrewd signing"

A penalty kicked by Thomas, and tries scored by replacements Steve Winn and Darren Dawidiuk, both converted by Jimmy Moore, sealed for the Pirates an ultimately clear victory.

The match had seemingly been just the work out the Pirates needed, it against a useful and robust side, with coach Mark Hewitt no doubt quietly pleased to see his charges step up a level following their win the previous week against Redruth.

For the visitors, whose home is at the Stadio Flaminio (Rome), they greatly appreciated the reception and excellent hospitality shown them during their stay in Cornwall.

They will also have taken much from the game, to help them in their preparation for this season's 'Super 10' competition which gets underway in three weeks time.

Cornish Pirates:
A. Winnan (capt), A. Havili (J. Moore 55), M. Ireland, T. Luke (S. Winn h/t)
R. McAtee (M. Vakacegu h/t) D. Sanft (O. Thomas h/t), N. Griffiths (E. Fairhurst h/t),
B. Bedes (M. Evans 46), C. Morgan (P. Cook 55), B. Cumming (I. Motusaga h/t)
B. Gulliver (M. Burak h/t), H. Senekal, S. Heard (D. Seal h/t),
R. Elloway (D. Dawidiuk 52), A. Paver (S. Betty 63).

Yellow cards: Ireland, Paver.

Almaviva Capitolina:
T. Manawatu, M. Sepe, G. Rebecchini, S. Caffaratti, A. Chiese, L. Myring, G. Toniolatti
B. Vermaak, V. Ventricelli, E. Vaggi, L. Mastrodomenico, G. Llanos, F. Guatieri (capt)
G. Cerqua, M. Pietrosanti.

Replacements (used): B. Molaioli, E. Rotella, D. Varani, A. Abadie, R. Bocchino, G. Gentile, E. Leonardi, M.C. Haidar, M. Bustos, M. Martino.

Yellow cards: Mastrodomenico, Bustos.

Scorers:-

Cornish Pirates

Tries: Bedes, Morgan, Vakacegu, Winnan, Winn, Dawidiuk
Cons: Sanft, Thomas, Moore (2)
Pens: Sanft, Thomas.

Almaviva Capitolina

Tries: Guatieri, Llanos
Cons: Manawatu (2)
Pen: Manawatu.

Referee: Michael Tutty (RFU
Touch Judges: Andrew Bickle & Lloyd Jackson
Assessor: Ian Hamilton

Attendance: 1,623