Pirates Amateurs 28 St. Ives Reserves 0

27th March 2010

Having lost to their near neighbours on three previous occasions this season, it was revenge time for the Pirates Amateurs against St. Ives on Saturday in an entertaining game played at the Mennaye Field.

Playing towards the Newlyn end of the ground the Amateurs started impressively but failed to register their dominance as fly-half Murray Westren missed two penalty kicks at goal.

Settling their way into the game St. Ives threatened to score ,first following a catch and drive at the clubhouse corner, and then from a menacing grub kick executed by fly-half Josh Stevens.

With just a few minutes of the half remaining, the Amateurs built play back into the St. Ives '22', and from a scrum at the old Western National corner scrum-half Sam Stevens used his strength to stretch and score the game's first try. Westren added the conversion to make it 7-0 at the break.

For the first twenty minutes of the second half it was all St. Ives, helped by a large penalty count against the home side. However, as the 'Blues' pressed deep inside the Newlyn half, the Pirates regained possession and released wing Rob Cutter who ran seventy metres to outpace St. Ives chasers to score a try at the posts. Westren again added the extras.

St. Ives deserved some reward for their efforts and worked hard to get back into the match, but they were again cruelly punished as the Pirates quickly moved the ball to Westren who spotted space and stretched his legs with a lengthy run that ended with another score at the posts, this time converted by centre Andrew Snell.

Finishing the game on a high, skipper Andrew Gwennap scored his team's fourth try wide out at the clubhouse corner, it converted well from the touchline by Westren to record a worthy win, and sweet revenge. Impressive for the Amateurs throughout were youngsters Sam Stevens, lock Jamie Barrett, and flanker Danny Toolan.

Pirates Amateurs:

T. Dugdale, K. Walsh, J. Oliver, A. Snell, R. Cutter, M. Westren, S. Stevens, S. Powell, D. Toolan, A. Gwennap (capt), J. Barrett, M. Nicholas, D. Lugg, R. Stanley, J. Gwennap.

Replacements:

D. Hewett, C. Butler, J. Nicholls, J. Lugg (all used); I. James, E. Quick (not used).

Scorers – tries: Stevens, Cutter, Westren, A. Gwennap; cons: Westren (3), Snell.

Pirates Amateurs 'Race Night'.
Friday at the 'Westholme' clubhouse '.
Doors open 6pm - 7.30pm start, all proceeds in support of the Coldstream Guards in Afghanistan.

The 'Darren Hicks Memorial Match' will take place On Friday 11th June at the Mennaye Field between the Pirates Amateurs and a Coldstream Guards XV.

Funds raised will go to 'Help for Heroes'.