Can Pirates Stop Caldy’s Unbeaten Run at the Mennaye This Saturday?

After securing their first Championship Rugby win of the season away to London Scottish last weekend, the Cornish Pirates will return to the Mennaye Field this Saturday, 1st November, where they’ll host unbeaten Caldy in Round 5. Kick-off is at 2.30pm.

Caldy Arrive in Top Form

Caldy, the visitors from the Wirral, have been the surprise package of the league so far. Sitting second in the table with 20 league points, they’ll be looking to continue their strong start against a Pirates side that currently sits ninth.

Pirates’ joint head coach Gavin Cattle said ahead of the game:

“For us, we pride ourselves playing at home, so we need to get that back on track as it is very important to us.

“We have been focusing on a few areas of our game, but more so the energy, the physicality and again getting used to those trips on the road. But I do think, as previously said, that we have been training well as a group and despite our two narrow losses and a draw, we just kept chipping away to improve. Against London Scottish it seemed like progress has been made and the result was a deserved reward for everybody.

“Looking at the performances of this week’s opponents from Caldy, character is one thing they have got in spades. I also think that this year they have got a couple of halfbacks who have sharpened their attack up, plus there is pace on the wings, coupled with experience and a decent pack, to have earned their impressive 20 league points to date.

“The pressure is off them this week as a parttime team and they are indeed the surprise package thus far. When you have that mentality as a team, they will be tricky customers, and it should make great viewing.”

New Faces in the Line-Up

Changes to the Cornish Pirates starting line-up see Matty Ward and Alessandro Heaney both making their first league starts, while Sol Moody is named at hooker and Milo Hallam at blind-side wing forward.

On the bench, Matt Pritchard will be eager to make his first starting appearance this season at hooker, and if backrower Barnaby Elderkin comes on, it will mark his first league appearance for the club.

Match Details and Extras

Referee Henry Pearson will take charge of the match, assisted by Ben Simpson and Kevin Williams, with Emily Hope as the official fourth.

The Match Day Sponsor is ARW Scaffold Contracting Ltd, and the day’s collection will support the Royal British Legion.

Supporters can expect more than just rugby at the Mennaye, with a pre-match Passing Challenge for youngsters, a Thatchers-sponsored ‘Apple Rolling’ competition at halftime, and free sweets for anyone wearing Halloween fancy dress.

Cornish Pirates Team to Face Caldy

Starting XV:
15 Iwan Price-Thomas, 14 Matty Ward, 13 Chester Ribbons, 12 Joe Elderkin, 11 Ben Cambriani, 10 Arwel Robson, 9 Dan Hiscocks (captain); 1 Alessandro Heaney, 2 Sol Moody, 3 Alfie Petch, 4 Alfie Bell, 5 Josh King, 6 Milo Hallam, 7 Jack Forsythe, 8 Tomi Agbongbon.

Replacements:
16 Matt Pritchard, 17 Billy Young, 18 James French, 19 Luke Ratcliff, 20 Barnaby Elderkin, 21 Will Rigelsford, 22 Louie Sinclair, 23 Harry Yates.

📍 Cornish Pirates vs Caldy
🏟️ Mennaye Field
🕝 Kick-off: 2.30pm, Saturday 1st November
🎯 Match Day Sponsor: ARW Scaffold Contracting Ltd
💂 Collection: Royal British Legion