Cornish Pirates

RFU Championship Play-Offs Final Round

Camborne Rec
Saturday May 1st 2010 
KICK OFF 3PM

Phil Westren's Preview

The Pirates look forward to welcoming Bristol and their supporters to Cornwall on Saturday, having built up good relations since their first league meeting in 2003-04, the Pirates first season in National 1.

Known back then as the 'Shoguns', it took two seasons before Bristol returned to the Premiership, from which they were relegated again last year.

Will they make a swift return this time around?

Well they are certainly the likely favourites, but it is far from a done deal. At the end of Stage 1 in this new Championship, Bristol topped the table with 92 points, followed by Exeter Chiefs on 88, with London Welsh third and well behind on 62. The Pirates were sixth with 56 points.

Qualifying for Pool A in Stage 2 of the competition Bristol won their opener against the Pirates at home (19-12), but then lost away to Bedford (17-16).

The result at Goldington Road was one that spiced the pool up, albeit briefly, as other results started to go their way and they followed up with back to back wins against Plymouth Albion (15-3 & 7-38), and then Bedford at home (41-32).

'Bris', who are in first place in Pool A on 19 points, are followed by Bedford (15), the Pirates (10), and Plymouth Albion (5), and to secure a home draw in the semi-finals they only need a point against the Pirates on Saturday. “Only” I hear you say. Well, okay, no offence, but the Pirates will want to deny them even that. Darn it, they've beaten the Cornish side three times already this season, so some sort of revenge would at least be sweet.

Paul Hull's men will certainly arrive at Camborne understandably hell bent on securing a home semi-final place, and they will be backed up by a big travelling crowd on this holiday weekend. Interestingly, they could have achieved a home semi-final place in their home game to Bedford, had they not leaked five tries to the Blues in the second half.

Okay, you knew it was coming – it's time for the archive bit, so here goes! Bristol first played the Pirates back in January, 1948, when they won 3-0 on the Mennaye Field, Penzance. Three more games quickly followed, including one at Bristol's Memorial Ground (it was not called 'Stadium' in those days) in January 1950, and the Pirates lost on each occasion – albeit narrowly!

The next meeting had to wait until September, 1995, on a day when the Pirates 'Golden Jubilee' season opened with a 16-all draw. Paul Hull will likely remember the occasion, and especially, perhaps, town crier Piglet's official welcome! As for a really important encounter, however, well that had to wait until the 7th September, 2003, which was the day when the Pirates played their first ever game in National One, losing 34-7.

Three more losses followed against the 'Shoguns', but then, in the last fixture between the two clubs, prior to meeting up again this season, the Pirates were at last jubilantly victorious (18-11) away to Bristol on the 12th February, 2005. It was, in the view of many, the Pirates best ever result, and it a win no doubt fondly remembered by present squad members Wes Davies, Gavin Cattle and Alan Paver. Chris Morgan will also recall the match, but will be forgiven if he chooses to forget it, as he played for Bristol at the time.

Anyway, enough of the past, it time to look forward to what should be a thoroughly enjoyable game this Saturday.

Whatever the outcome the Pirates will wish Bristol all the best in the future, whilst in reality for the Pirates their focus will shift, as it has since 4.45pm last Sunday, to the visit of Munster in just over two weeks time.

Hey, what a Celtic celebration that should be!

Cornish Pirates:
T. Luke, R. Bright, P. Devlin, S. Winn, A. Havili
R. Jones, J. Doherty, M. Evans (capt), T. Holmes, S. Betty
R. Labuschagne, L. McGlone, S. Franklin, R. Elloway, P. Andrew.

Replacements:
R. Storer, R. Prosser, C. Rimmer, C. Morgan, G. Goodfellow, R. McAtee, M. Ireland.

Referee:  Michael Tutty (RFU) 
Assistants: Richard Parker-Sedgemore & Eric Woodmason

Official 4: Lloyd Jackson
Assessor: Jerry Wallis

Match Day Sponsor : Coodes Solicitors

Match Ball Sponsor:  Carol and Bill Martin from 'Greenhaven' Supported Accommodation

 

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