Six Up for The Pirates!

By Phil Westren

Penzance & Newlyn 33 Tiverton 19

Seeing October out at a sunny Mennaye Field on Saturday, the Pirates made it six wins from six in Regional 2 Tribute Ale South West.

Missing several players who were injured in their victory at Okehampton the week before added extra spice to this first versus second in the league clash, with the Pirates fully aware that ‘Tivvy’ had a side that posed a real threat.

After a minute’s silence was observed in memory of Keith Gruzulier, a former and much respected ‘Pirate’ who in his playing days made over 500 appearances for the club, it was the visitors who applied all the early pressure. However, midway through the first half, following a controlled drive from a line-out on the right and then swift movement of the ball to the left, it was Pirates’ winger Calum Gardner who sped to the line for an unconverted try scored at the old Western National corner.

Always looking likely to respond, the Devon side did just with a try scored at the Penzance posts by centre George Whiting. Fullback Callum Stone then added the extras to nudge his side ahead.

From the restart Tiverton attacked strongly once more, and with extra purpose. It was a period during which the home side now looked unsettled, and especially so after scrumhalf Dan-Rhys Evans was shown a yellow card.

Taking advantage, Tivvy flanker Jed Smith scored a try at the clubhouse corner, but with considerable spirit the Pirates responded admirably. They firstly rejigged their personnel by welcoming Oscar Marr, who has been out injured, off the bench and, when a kickable penalty was on offer, flyhalf Rhys Brownfield delivered the three points.

Then, before halftime, the Pirates regained the lead. Fullback Kyle Moyle, pleasingly once again in action for the second time this season, was a vital link in an attack down the right, and it was his clever pass that led to a try well taken by man of the match wing Callum Walsh.

So, the Pirates held a 13-12 halftime advantage, although overall at this stage there was a feeling that Tiverton perhaps deserved to hold a lead at the break.

Second half underway, the Pirates appeared more clinical, and following a dominant scrum at the clubhouse corner it was excellent control at the back that enabled skipper Stan Somers to score a converted try.

Tiverton had a man sent to the sin bin, and Pirates replacement Wes Eddy was next to score a try. Another pleasing thing for much of this game was the defensive qualities displayed by the Pirates, and especially so in the second forty with their ‘body on the line’ commitment.

Centre Josh Semmens carried strongly throughout the game and Calum Walsh scored another spectacular try when he ran and gathered the ball to cross wide out right.

Tiverton charged down a kick for a late converted try scored by centre Callum Findlay, but in time remaining the still unbeaten Pirates had the last say with a successful penalty kicked by Moyle that made it 33-19.

📷Man of the match Callum Walsh pictured with his dad Steve. Credit: Phil Westren

Speaking after the game, Penzance & Newlyn’s head coach Murray Westren commented:

“What a great match day at the Mennaye! The support from our crowd was fantastic and spurred us on against a tough and very able Tiverton side, as we knew they would be.

“A full squad effort was required, and it has been a great first block of games. We now get the chance for a little down time but must ensure we are ready to kick on again in a couple of weeks.”

Penzance & Newlyn: 15 Kyle Moyle 14 Callum Walsh 13 Harris Eddy 12 Josh Semmens 11 Calum Gardner 10 Rhys Brownfield 9 Dan-Rhys Evans; 1 Kye Beasley 2 Connor Bick 3 Joe Best 4 Ben Martin 4 Nick Nowell 6 Eli Williams 7 Tom Hutton 8 Stan Somers (captain).

Replacements: 16 Dylan Arthur 17 Wes Eddy 18 Oscar Marr.

Tiverton: 15 Callum Stone 14 Toby Matthews 13 George Whiting 12 Callum Findlay 11 Lewis Govier 10 Noah Driesen 9 Olly Guest 1 Jake Bowden 2 Reece Lyons 3 Martin Keywood 4 Matt Hague (captain) 5 Horace Hopper 6 Lewis Manning 7 Jed Smith 8 Ben Vickery.

Replacements: 16 Ben Blake 17 Jonny Fairclough 18 Tyler Voaden.

Scorers:

Penzance & Newlyn – tries: Walsh (2), Gardner, Somers. Eddy; con: Moyle; pens: Brownfield, Moyle.

Tiverton – tries: Whiting, Smith, Stone/Findlay; cons: Stone (2).

Man of the Match: Callum Walsh.

📷Line-out action at a sunny Mennaye Field. Credit: Phil Westren