All Blacks V Pirates Preview

Cornish All Blacks v Cornish Pirates
Saturday September 1st Kick Off 3:00pm

Tim Cowley Player of the Year 2007 will lead the team's assault against the Cornish All Blacks at Polson Bridge on Saturday afternoon.

Following the friendly matches played against Leicester Tigers and Newport Gwent Dragons, there would appear few surprises in the line-up, although there will be disappointment for prop Alan Paver. Injured against the Tigers, he would have relished playing on this historic occasion - the home side's first match played at National 1 level, but his recovery, though near, is not quite complete.

Full Squad

Adryan Winnan 15	Rhodri McAtee 14	Paul Devlin 13	Simon Whatling 12	Brian Tuohy 10
Gareth Steenson 9	Richard Bolt 8	Tim Cowley No. 8 Captain	Iva Motusaga 7	Chris Cracknell 6
Bruce Cumming 5	Joe Beardshaw 4	Dan Seal 3	Rob Elloway 2	Peter Cook 1
Replacements + 1 Other
Darren Dawiduik	Sam Heard	Scott Hobson
Sam Betty	Jimmy Moore	Nick Buckley

15 Adryan Winnan, 14 Rhodri McAtee, 13 Paul Devlin, 12 Simon Whatling, 11 Brian Tuohy,
10 Gareth Steenson, 9 Richard Bolt, 8 Tim Cowley (capt), 7 Iva Motusaga, 6 Chris Cracknell
5 Bruce Cumming, 4 Joe Beardshaw, 3 Dan Seal, 2 Rob Elloway, 1 Peter Cook

Replacements
Darren Dawidiuk, Sam Heard, Scott Hobson, Sam Betty, Jimmy Moore, Nick Buckley, + 1 Other

Phil's Notes

What a start to the new season, one which allows old rivalries to be renewed!

Since the introduction of league rugby back in 1987/88, no games have created more tension and interest than those against the Cornish All Blacks. There were some terrific contests played out between the clubs over a 15 year period up to 2003, many of them close, as is reflected by the fact that of the 31 in-season league, cup and 'friendly' matches played, there were 15 wins a piece, plus the one draw. The teams, then respectively called Launceston and Penzance & Newlyn, last met in a league encounter at Polson Bridge at the end of April 2003, the Pirates recording a hard-earned 25-13 points victory.

It was a day when we were crowned champions of National 2, Steve Evans presented with the league trophy at the end of the match by Sir Hal Miller, Chairman of the National Clubs Association.

For 'Lanson', it was a day of sadness, as not only were they relegated to National 3, but their popular skipper Dean Shipton also announced his retirement as player and coach.

That the Cornish All Blacks have fought back strongly is no surprise, Saturday will be a proud and historic occasion - one which will see them play their first ever match in National 1.

The Cornish Pirates congratulate our 'derby' rivals, will respect the challenge they pose, but will also be determinedly focused to get us off to a good start.