Cornish Pirates vs Cambridge – Match Report

Four on The Bounce for Energised Pirates!

By Phil Westren

Cornish Pirates 52 – Cambridge 0

Having won three ‘Champ’ league games on the trot, and with a bonus point achieved in each, the Cornish Pirates made it four such wins on the bounce when recording this convincing victory at home to Cambridge on Saturday.

The Cornish Pirates arrived 6^th in the league at this Round 7 stage of the competition, whilst winless Cambridge were at the foot of the table in 14^th.

There were several changes in the Cornish Pirates starting line-up for this encounter, including a number because of injury. Harry Yates replaced Chester Ribbons in the centre, Ben Cambriani was selected on the wing in place of Arthur Relton, and fly-half Louie Sinclair made his first start for the Pirates following an injury suffered by Arwel Robson against Nottingham. One change in the forwards saw James French replace Alfie Petch at prop.

On the bench Zack Wimbush, who is dual registered with Exeter Chiefs, was keen to make hirst first appearance for the Cornish Pirates, as was ‘Aussie’ Angus Mawson who has recently signed for the club.

📷Wing Ben Cambriani is a happy try-scorer. - Photo credit: Brian Tempest

With weather conditions having shown a considerable improvement to those experienced during an unsettled week, the Cornish Pirates got off to a satisfying start. Attacking down the left and then a deft nudge by Yates saw skipper Dan Hiscocks follow up and dive to score the game’s opening try, to which Sinclair added the extra two points.

The visiting ‘Blood & Sand’, to give the Cambridge side their nickname, had a good number of gifted players in their squad, including former England under 20s winger Will Glister. A break and run into the Pirates ‘22’ almost brought him reward, only for a sudden knock-on to dent hopes.

Cambridge would create such occasional chances, as was the case when not only were they foiled after a well-judged 50-22, but they were made to pay for not taking advantage when the Pirates regained possession. Hiscocks kicked well out of hand from halfway, and it was wing Matty Ward who chased and gathered the ball to touch it down at the Newlyn gate corner. Sinclair’s conversion attempt was again on the money.

In reality, no matter how spirited the Cambridge crew were, and be assured they were spirited, this was a game that the Pirates were expected to win, and likely with a bit to spare, but there was no guarantee.

Approaching halftime, the Pirates handling continued to impress, and timing his run well there was a second converted try scored by Ward, this time to the left of the Newlyn posts, and his fellow wingman, Ben Cambriani, also delightfully got in the act when scoring an unconverted try.

To their credit, Cambridge applied considerable pressure to force the Pirates to give a succession of penalties away. Catch and drives were attempted, with hooker Jack Doorey-Palmer, who is on loan from Harlequins, picking out different jumpers on each occasion, but it was all to no avail. The running of Tongan international full-back Otumaka Mausia and former US Oyannax wing Ethan Thorne also threatened. However, the Pirates maintained their terrific defensive performance to hold a 26-0 lead at the break.

This was a match that had thus far proved very entertaining for home supporters, and was one no doubt also enjoyed by Sir Richard ‘Dicky’ Evans watching in Kenya and about to celebrate his 80^th birthday.

Further entertainment was surely on the cards once the second half got underway, and so it proved. Indeed, shortly after the restart the Pirates extended their lead when it was this time a deft nudge from Cambriani that led to Yates gathering the ball and crashing over at the clubhouse corner. Sinclair converted magnificently from out wide.

Cambridge continued to display admirable spirit, with replacement scrum half Charlie Bemand a zippy performer. They had also arrived with several individuals who have played for the Pirates in the past, namely their forwards coach Will Britton, Royal Navy backrower Chris Mills, Kiwi hooker Dylan Irvine, and wing Eparama Rokodrava. They all knew a tough task awaited them, and credit was due that their effort never dropped off.

Bemand went close to scoring at the Newlyn posts, and when awarded penalties they took scrum options. There would though be no breaching of the Pirates defensive wall, which would hold tight throughout.

When replacements were introduced, the Hong Kong born 6’ 6” and near 18 stones 22-year-old Wimbush literally made a huge impression for a back. Quickly getting into the action, his impetus led to a converted try scored by full-back Iwan Price-Thomas, who continues to impress, before he added a converted score himself.

📷Hattrick man Matty Ward scores the second of his three tries.- Photo credit: Brian Tempest

There was still time left for the Pirates to pass the 50-mark, and succeed they did, when Ward, who was one try short of registering a hattrick at Nottingham, this time did. He was a happy man, as were home supporters. Interestingly, all of the Pirates tries were scored by backs.

Commenting at the end of Saturday’s encounter, joint head coach Gavin Cattle said:

“Cambridge have been a bit up and down this season, but we rightly respected them and were aware they can perform.

“Despite not being accurate in the opening minutes, we started off with the right energy and showing maturity then proceeded to carry out the gameplan well, including getting a lot of joy out of the 13 channel.

“I thought we looked solid in defence, took our chances, and in general it was a well-rounded performance. We also feel we are on the right track, although there is still growth to achieve in certain areas and especially around the set piece.

“We had several changes and when you suddenly get a lot it usually leads to a messy performance, but that wasn’t the case today. Matty Ward had a fine game, as did others, and we now have healthy competition for places, so long may that continue.”

Cornish Pirates:   15 Iwan Price-Thomas 14 Matty Ward 13 Harry Yates 12 Joe Elderkin 11 Ben Cambriani 10 Louie Sinclair 9 Dan Hiscocks (captain); 1 Billy Young 2 Morgan Nelson 3 James French 4 Charlie Rice 5 Alfie Bell 6 Josh King 7 Luke Ratcliff 8 Tomi Agbongbon.

Replacements (all used):   16 Matt Pritchard 17 Alessandro Heaney 18 Ollie Andrews 19 Milo Hallam 20 Barnaby Elderkin 21 Orson James 22 Angus Mawson 23 Zack Wimbush.

Cambridge:   15 Otumaka Mausia 14 Will Glister 13 Levi Reweti 12 Jasper Sorrell 11 Ethan Thorne 10 Jamie Annand 9 Jimmy Thompson; 1 Jake Ellwood 2 Jack Doorey-Palmer 3 Billy Walker 4 Rhys Fulford 5 Gareth Baxter 6 Chris Mills 7 Dan Eckersley 8 Ben Adams (captain).

Replacements (all used):   16 Dylan Irvine 17 Jack Boal 18 Paul Masoe

19 Jack Lawrence 20 Arthur Thomas 21 Charlie Friend 22 Charlie Bemand 23 Eparama Rokodrava.

Scorers:

Cornish Pirates – tries: Ward (3), Hiscocks, Cambriani, Yates, Price-Thomas, Wimbush; cons: Sinclair (6).

Referee:   Matt Sharpe

Assistants:    Holly Wood & Kevin Williams

‘Tribute’ Man of the Match:   Alfie Bell

‘Thatchers’ Try of the Match Winner:   Matty Ward

Attendance:   1582

📷6' 6" Zack Wimbush impressed on debut. - Photo credit: Brian Tempest