Played under floodlights at the Mennaye Field on Monday evening, this opening game in this season's Cornwall RFU Skinner's Brewery Super Cup Competition was a match which not only attracted a good level of support, but also, importantly, provided a worthy workout for both sets of players.

For the Pirates, having decided to accept the opportunity to participate in this season's competition, it was their first ever Super Cup game, and one which they were always going to be clear favourites to win.

Their side was made up mostly of squad players either in need of game time or returning from injury, whilst an opportunity was given for a number of the Pirates 'Amateurs' to impress.

As for the visitors from Launceston, they were represented by an 'Academy' selection of young and gifted performers, who were under no illusion of the challenge that faced them.

Playing towards the Newlyn end of the ground, the Pirates opened the scoring in just the fourth minute, when assistant coach and fly-half Brett Davey slotted a simple penalty from in front of the posts.

In the twelfth minute Canadian international prop Scott Franklin, who was making his debut for the Pirates, was sin-binned by referee Mr. Nigel Higginson. However, the home side made little of being one man short, and after applying pressure at the Newlyn gate corner, flanker Bruce Cumming scored the opening try of the night.

Led by skipper Jake Murphy, the visitors played with expression and purpose, with full-back Jon Bordiss and hooker Darren Semmens both a threat with ball in hand. There were hopes of a score themselves when play was taken deep into the Penzance half of the ground, but the Pirates held the danger and moved swiftly back upfield, the riposte ending with scrum-half Nicky Griffiths scoring a try on the left which was well converted by Davey.

Griffiths, as his scrum-half colleague Ed Fairhurst had the day before against Exeter, was having a stand out game, it clearly a position where the Pirates are blessed with ability.

A second converted try for Griffiths followed, with him then securing his hat-trick during a spell when the Pirates had total domination. Indeed, when back-rower Wayne Davey crossed for a try that made the scoreline 32-0 at the break, it would have provided quite some concern for a spirited but out-played All Blacks outfit.

When the second half got underway, it was not long before a fine passage of play ended when Wayne Davey scored his second try of the night, the Pirates 'Amateur' and 'Scilly Boys' crew member who had attempted to row the Atlantic during the summer not looking the slightest bit out of place playing alongside senior squad members.

To their credit, the Polson boys never once let their heads drop, and at times were now able to play with some 'go forward'. Half-backs Lewis Webb and Mike Provis, both wearers of the Pirates colours the season before last, looked the useful pairing expected, and a try scored by replacement Graham Smith and converted by Provis was thoroughly deserved.

The Pirates managed to score two more tries themselves through Griffiths, again, and young fullback Richard Bright, the first of which replacement fly-half Kelvin James converted, and although they were unable to break the 50 points barrier everyone present - players, coaches and supporters, had gained something positive from the evening's game - one which had indeed served a worthy purpose.

Cornish Pirates:
R. Bright, B. Tuohy, R. McAtee (A. Pennell 53), M. Ireland, R. Forrester (S. Kent h/t),
B. Davey (K. James 45), N. Griffiths, W. Davey (D. Seal 51), S. Betty (S. Heard 18-23)
B. Cumming (P. Andrew h/t), S. Heath, M. Burak, S. Franklin, D. Dawidiuk (S. Heard 61)
P. Cook (capt).

Yellow card: Franklin.

Cornish All Blacks:
J. Bordiss, M. Luxton (T. Elliott 45), J. Murphy (capt), J. Semmens (J. Hawken 73)
C. Morris (L. Patterson 62), J. Coles (Mike Provis h/t), L. Webb, (A. Garner 73)
J. Brandling-Harris (G. Smith h/t), B. Collings (A. Stevens 73), J. Heaver (J. Daniel 65)
D. Chambers, B. Jenkins, D. Manns, D. Semmens (T. Hurdwell 47), J. Bolt (A. Knight 53).

Scorers:-

Cornish Pirates -
Tries: Griffiths (4), W Davey (2), Cumming, Bright; cons: B. Davey (2), James; pen: B. Davey.

Cornish All Blacks
try: Smith; con: Provis.

Referee: Nigel Higginson (RFU)

Noting in the match report above that the game had served a worthy purpose - well, it was certainly the case for Alison Curnow, the wife of Kevin, who is the Cornish Pirates' Financial Manager.

Expecting the birth of their first child, it was always felt that for Alison a good old dish of curry and chips 'could get things started' - and it did. Enjoying the meal on offer whilst watching the game, it was just a few hours later at just after 4am on Tuesday morning that young Caitlin Tegan Curnow arrived in this world, with a welcome and best wishes from us all!