Cornish Pirates

RFU Championship Round 15

Sunday 27th December 2009
Kick-off 2pm

Phil Westren's Preview

Morgan Returns For Derby Match Encounter

Cornish Pirates' experienced back-rower Chris Morgan makes a welcome return to action for Sunday's eagerly awaited local 'derby' match against Plymouth Albion.

A big crowd is expected at the Recreation Ground, Camborne, where the Pirates will look for revenge following their 16-8 'Championship' defeat away to Albion at the Brickfields in October.

In welcoming Plymouth Albion to the Recreation Ground at Camborne on Sunday, the Pirates will extend their very best wishes not only to both sets of regular supporters, but also to 'exiles' that have returned home to add something extra to such fixtures during a holiday period.

 

You can't beat a good old 'local derby' to raise interest levels, the two teams having played out many enthralling contests over the years. However, Plymouth Albion have had a distinctive edge over the Pirates, which is noted when looking back on league and cup matches played since the Pirates first season in ND1 back in 2003/04.

Of 16 games played, Dawesy's (Graham Dawe's) charges have emerged victorious on 10 occasions (7 wins at home), the Pirates have won 5 (4 at home), and one match has been drawn – 17-all at Camborne in April, 2008. So, what can we deduce from this? Hey, that's up to you, but as for Sunday neither side will take anything for granted, and no wise person can predict an outcome with confidence!

Consider when the Pirates played Plymouth Albion at the Brickfields in October, it surely on the cards that the Pirates would win at the developing venue for only the second time in eight attempts, but no. T

The Pirates had gone through September deservedly and proudly unbeaten, whilst Albion had less than impressed in their early 'Championship' matches. The Pirates had every justification to travel with quiet confidence, but it counting for 'nowt' on the day, as it became quickly apparent that they'd be be hard pushed to get the result, and so it proved. Plymouth Albion put one over on the Pirates once more, winning 16-8, with their pair of Tongan torpedoes, centres Sione Tu'ipulotu and Keni Fisilau, an impressively useful combination.

Sunday, of course, gives the Pirates a chance to gain their revenge, but it realised once again that it won't be easy.

Their scheduled opponents have certainly impressed of recent, a home win (20-15) against Rotherham Titans sandwiched in between two superb away victories against London Welsh (12-26) and Bedford Blues (16-19), and then the Christmas 'icing on the cake' when they chopped down the Chiefs last week to take away Exeter's unbeaten record.

Team

Cornish Pirates:
R. Cook, A. Havili, M. Ireland, R. Jones, N. Jackson, J. Bentley, G. Cattle (capt), B. Cowan, S. Betty, C. Morgan, B. Gulliver, L. McGlone, A. Paver, D. Ward, R. Storer.

Replacements:
C. Rimmer, R. Brits, P. Andrew, R. Labuschagne, T. Holmes, J. Moore, S. Winn.

Referee: Terry Hall (RFU) Assistants: Steve Leyshon & Lloyd Jackson

Match Day Sponsor: St. Austell Brewery

Match Ball Sponsor: Doble Quality Foods

Match Day Collection: Help for Heroes

Travel:

It is recommended that supporters arrive at the ground early to avoid congestion, and for those who travel by train it is important to note that limited services only will be operating from the East.

Previous experience is that these services will be extremely busy and likely to fill quickly. The Pirates have contacted First Great Western and they will look into adding extra carriages, it advisable that supporters check travel details in advance.