Penzance & Newlyn vs Cullompton – Match Report

Pirates Get Off to A Flyer

By Phil Westren

Penzance & Newlyn 53 – Cullompton 0

Nearly eighty years since they played their first ever game, which was against Guy’s Hospital on the 22^nd September 1945, as the result confirms Penzance & Newlyn got off to a flyer playing their opening fixture in Tribute Regional 2 South West against Cullompton on Saturday.

Promoted as champions of Counties 1 Tribute Western West at the end of last season, the then Pirates Amateurs are fully aware that real challenges are in prospect as they play now at a higher level as Penzance & Newlyn. For a starter, however, they could not have hoped for much better.

In initially sunny and breezy conditions, the Pirates notched up the first of their nine tries with less than three minutes on the clock. Full-back Ben Wragg made telling yardage and when the ball was worked left it was man of the match centre Josh Semmens who touched down at the scoreboard corner.

Next on the scoresheet was wing Joey Norways, with what was likely the try of the match. Showing awareness of all about him, he sped into space and ran half the length of the field to score at the clubhouse corner.

📷Archie Pilcher about to secure clean line-out possession - Photo credit: Brian Tempest

Cullompton, who had a handful of debutants in their ranks, did appear to be settling into the match, hopeful of making it a contest. Their full-back and stalwart captain Josh Luxon looked to lead the way, with flanker Jack Grandfield also an energetic performer. The Pirates, though, had other ideas and extended their lead. The experienced Rhys Brownfield offloaded for Wragg to score and convert his own try, and before the break scrum-half Rhodri McAtee passed brilliantly to enable livewire wing Sam Cahill to cross the tryline at the clubhouse corner.

Holding a 22-0 halftime lead provided great encouragement for the home crowd. The secret now was to keep it going.

Well, on the resumption of play little time was wasted, and after Brownfield intercepted he moved the ball to supporting flanker Jude Hardy who scored a converted try at the old Western National corner.

To their credit, Cullompton didn’t let their heads drop as they came more into the game for a spell. Skipper Luxon was throughout keen to counter, but when pack power ruled for the Pirates, further dominance led to tries scored by lock Nick Nowell and prop Joe Best, the first of which Wragg converted.

With 10 minutes remaining, the chance to take the score past 50 was now in sight, and it was an opportunity duly taken. Number 8 Archie Pilcher scored off the back of a scrum, and it was then left to McAtee to finally scamper over at the Newlyn posts for a final try converted by Wragg.

📷Wing Joey Norways scoring the try of the match - Photo credit: Brian Tempest

Speaking after the game, Pirates’ head coach Murray Westren said:

“I am delighted for the boys who have worked very hard in pre-season. The result is a reward for their efforts and although there are inevitably a few ‘work ons’, the overall performance was very pleasing.

“It was good to welcome Rhys (Brownfield) back to the Mennaye, and new signings Kenny Jones and Declan Prowse also impressed.

“Backs and forwards contributed in equal measure, and in a workmanlike fashion. However, we are realistic to know that this is just the start, and much sterner tests lay ahead.”

Penzance & Newlyn:   15 Ben Wragg 14 Sam Cahill 13 Josh Semmens 12 Rhys Brownfield 11 Joey Norways 10 Oscar Marr (captain) 9 Rhodri McAtee; 1 Declan Prowse 2 Kenny Jones 3 Joe Best 4 Ben Martin 5 Nick Nowell 6 Sam Carroll 7 Jude Hardy 8 Archie Pilcher.

Replacements:   16 James Lambourn 17 Wes Eddy 19 Cal Gardner.

Cullompton:   15 Josh Luxon (captain) 14 Ryan Hill 13 Sam Gibbs 12 Loz Cavanagh 11 Luke Shergold 10 Charlie Hague 9 Ben Young; 1 Sam Cooke 2 Will Venner 3 Tom Parker 4 Adam Jarrett 5 Jacob Brooks 6 George Woofenden 7 Jack Grandfield 8 Dev Welch.

Replacements:   16 Marcus Pengelly 17 Olli Mitchell 18 Bredan Cherry.

Scorers:

Penzance & Newlyn – tries: Semmens, Norways, Wragg, Cahill, Hardy, Nowell, Best, Pilcher, McAtee; cons: Wragg (4). 

Cullompton – None.

Referee:   Will Williams.

Man of the Match:   Josh Semmens.

And……..

2nds Win at St. Ives

Pleased to field a 2^nd XV at the start of the season on Saturday, captained by Jonny Badcock the Pirates won well, 32-0, away to their counterparts from St. Ives.

📷Prop Joe Best scoring his try - Photo credit: Brian Tempest