Pirates Compete Admirably Well

By Phil Westren

Penzance & Newlyn 27 Redruth 45

With grass on the Mennaye Field at last showing shoots of green, this August evening friendly proved worthy for each side and entertaining for both sets of supporters.

The visitors play level four of the game in England and the home side in level six, so the Reds, who wore blue shirts on the night, were naturally favourites. Having said that, the Pirates competed well throughout to make a good contest. Indeed, to the delight of player/coach John Stevens they also opened the scoring early on when centre Harris Eddy touched down to the right of the Newlyn posts. Fly-half Rhys Brownfield added the extra two points.

Making a prompt response, a run by fly-half Joe Cummins, who is on loan to Redruth from the professional Cornish Pirates, set up their opening try for wing Matthew Blewett. Cummins slotted the conversion.

📷Pirates' skipper Stan Somers weighs up options. Credit: Brian Tempest

Strong in the pack, the Reds applied pressure to test their opponents, and they then took the lead when Cummins and his halfback partner Sam Bray combined for the latter to score a converted try at the Penzance posts.

Before the break a second try from Blewett, this time unconverted, made the score 7-19, but how would the second forthy pan out? Well, the Pirates started the second half as they did the first, by notching their second try of the match. Brownfield was the scorer but he was luckless with his conversion attempt.

📷Match action. Credit: Brian Tempest

A try by Redruth’s powerful number 8 Finlay Wolstencroft, and then the try of the match – and possibly their try of the season – from speedster prop Rohan Ewels brought just applause, as the Reds opened up a 21 points gap. Both tries were converted by Cummins.

But the Pirates showed their mettle to score their third try through centre Josh Semmens, and after Redruth scored again from a catch and drive thanks to replacement Rob Baragwanath, whos effort was converted by Cummins, it was full-back Oscar Marr who intercepted to run in a fourth try for the home side.

📷Match Action. Credit: Brian Tempest

Finally, as the clock ticked to a conclusion, replacement John Tyler scored an excellent try for the Pirates at the clubhouse corner, whilst an equally fine score by Redruth replacement Ayden Earnshaw made the final score 27-45.

Speaking at the end of the game, Penzance & Newlyn’s head coach Murray Westren commented:

“This match provided a really worthwhile exercise for us. There was some positive play around our physicality whilst also highlighting the need for our set piece to improve, which will enable us to achieve a greater footing in matches.

“A real plus was to give game time to all the committed players who have been excellent over the pre-season, all turning up every week with the aim of improving.”

📷Pirates' winger Callum Walsh tackles his opposite number. Credit: Brian Tempest

Penzance & Newlyn: 15 Oscar Marr 14 Callum Walsh 13 Harris Eddy 12 Josh Semmens 11 Harvey Stone 10 Rhys Brownfield 9 Sam Carter; 1 Dylan Arthur 2 Wes Eddy 3 Joe Best 4 Nick Nowell 5 Ben Martin 6 Stan Somers (captain) 7 Sam Carroll 8 John Stevens.

Named replacements: Archie Harris (guest), Connor Bick, James Lambourn, Ben Nicholas, Sam Heath, Tom Hutton, Eli Williams, Jude Hardy, Dan Rhys Evans, Morgan Holman, Calum Gardner, Cadan Thomas, Jordan Church, John Tyler (guest).

Redruth: 15 Luke Johnson 14 Matthew Blewett 13 Connor Gilbert 12 Noah Clifford 11 Rhys Bowery 10 Joe Cummins 9 Sam Bray; 1 Rohan Ewels 2 Tom Cowan-Dickie 3 Cam Leigh 4 Luke Hattam 5 Dan Goldsmith 6 Mawgan Osborne 7 William Symons 8 Finlay Wolstencroft.

Named replacements: Jack Kemp, Rob Baragwanath, Jarrod Hambly, Beau Danks, Oli Wells, Kaiden Carne, Luke Young, Jacob Chapple, Adam Hall, Jack Simmons, Ayden Earnshaw, Jack Counter.

Scorers:
Penzance & Newlyn – tries: Harris Eddy, Brownfield, Semmens, Marr, Tyler; con: Brownfield.
Redruth – tries: Blewett (2), Bray, Wolstencroft, Ewels, Baragwanath, Earnshaw; conversions: Cummins (5).

📷Centre Harris Eddy scores the opening try for the Pirates. Credit: Brian Tempest