Pirates Amateurs vs St. Ives: Match Report

Photo: Competitive match action at the Mennaye Field.

‘Ams’ Move Up to Second

by Phil Westren

Pirates Amateurs: 31 –  St Ives: 10

Following their defeat away to Wiveliscombe seven days earlier, in difficult conditions the Pirates Amateurs returned to winning ways at the Mennaye Field on Saturday. It was windy and wet, and near the end of the game’ very’ wet, however a large crowd present enjoyed what was nonetheless a competitive and entertaining contest.

Wing Adam Harris was making his 100^th appearance for St. Ives, and the club’s Director of Rugby, former England youth international and one time Premiership hooker Jimmy Stevens, was selected at number 8. Also featuring in their starting XV were halfbacks Dan-Rhys Evans and Rhys Brownfield, and prop Hayden King, all of whom have in the past worn a Pirates shirt.

In total, the Pirates scored five tries in the match through centre Rhodri McAtee, scrum-half Sam Carter, skipper and man of the match Stan Somers, lock Toby Osborne, and backrower Tom Hutton. Full-back Ben Wragg kicked three conversions. As for St. Ives, their points came courtesy of an early penalty slotted by wing Matty Turton, who also added the extras to a second half try scored by fellow winger Harris.

Photo: Centre Rhodri McAtee scored the game’s opening try.

The floodlights were switched on early, and heavy rain glistened as it swept across the ground late in the match. Come the end, the Pirates were naturally delighted to record the ‘double’ against their opponents, having won 20-14 away last September, but there was also credit due the visiting ‘Hakes’ for commendably giving their all.

The win for the Pirates Amateurs, who are next in action away to Kingsbridge on Saturday week, sees them move up to second place in the Counties 1 Tribute Western West league.

Happy head coach of the Pirates Amateurs, Murray Westren, commented post match.

“Local derby matches are often difficult to predict and St. Ives brought a lot of energy to the game, especially at the beginning.

“Conditions naturally made it difficult but there was some good rugby played by both sides. We did well though, to in time underline general dominance, and I am especially pleased that in front of a good-sized crowd the lads delivered a bonus point win for our supporters.”

Photo: Pirates’ skipper Stan Somers secures clean line-out ball.

Pirates Amateurs:   15 Ben Wragg 14 John Tyler 13 Rhodri McAtee 12 Josh Semmens 11 Sam Cahill 10 Oscar Marr 9 Sam Carter; 1 Dylan Arthur 2 Ted Hocking 3 Joe Best 4 Toby Osborne 5 Ben Martin 6 Tom Hutton 7 Sam Carroll 8 Stan Somers (captain).

Replacements:   16 Dave Penrose 17 Nick Nowell 18 Harris Eddy.

St. Ives:   15 Jack Keogh 14 Adam Harris 13 Bayley Rogers 12 Nick Prout 11 Matty Turton 10 Rhys Brownfield 9 Dan-Rhys Evans; 1 James Curnow 2 Levi Webster 3 Hayden King 4 Will Perkin 5 Bevin Stone 6 Morgan Harvey 7 Chris Warren (captain) 8 Jimmy Stevens.

Replacements:   16 Rory Whitehead 17 Dan Lawther 18 Stefan Osborne.

Scorers:

Pirates Amateurs – tries: McAtee, Carter, Somers, Osborne, Hutton; cons: Wragg (3).

St. Ives – try: Harris; con: Turton; pen: Turton.

Man of the Match:   Stan Somers.

Photo: Home full-back Ben Wragg, who kicked three successful conversions, goes on the attack.