International
Pirates Success
23rd June 2008 For supporters
of the Cornish Pirates the main interest from last Saturday's Barclays Churchill
Cup Finals day played out at Toyota Park, Chicago, was not England's achievement
in winning the tournament by beating Scotland 'A', but in witnessing how 'their'
players got on in the other two matches played. Cornish Pirates winger
Brian Tuohy was again in Ireland A's starting line-up, and impressed once more
in his country's 33-8 points Plate Final win against an Argentina XV. It was a
match that was occasionally feisty, but with there still plenty of skill on display
when the ball was moved wide, with a busy Brian unlucky not to get on the score-sheet. In
the Bowl Final, Cornish Pirate Ed Fairhurst's Canadian side, which included in
it new signing Scott Franklin at tight-head prop, recovered from being 10-0 down
at half-time to ultimately emerge worthy 26-10 points winners against the USA
'Eagles'. A former popular Pirate, hooker Viliami Ma'asi,
who now plays for Leeds Carnegie, scored Tonga's only try in a hefty 90-7 points
defeat against Australia A this past weekend. It was a Round 3 match played in
the Pacific Nations Cup at the North Sydney Oval, whilst in the same competition
a new Cornish Pirates recruit, utility back Marika Vakacegu, was a member of the
Fijian squad that beat a fast improving Japan side 24-12 in Tokyo. On
Sunday evening at the Liberty Stadium Swansea, the final of the U20s Junior World
Championships took place, with favourites New Zealand winning comfortably 38-3
against England. Despite the result England have enjoyed
a successful season, having earlier in the year achieved a Six Nations Grand Slam.
Cornishman Scott Hobson, a lock forward who has benefited from his two years at
the Cornish Pirates, and who has recently signed for Bath, was a second half replacement
on Sunday against the young 'All Blacks'. | 
