Redruth vs Cornish Pirates – Match Report

Pleasing Aspects in Cornish Pirates Win

By Phil Westren

Redruth 7  – Cornish Pirates 64

There were many pleasing aspects for the Cornish Pirates in playing their opening pre-season friendly away to Redruth on Saturday, not least because they scored 10 tries in the match and gave debuts to a number of their new signings.

After a minute's applause before kick-off, in memory of popular Redruth stalwart Richard Eddy, who in his playing days also made 119 appearances for the Pirates, the home side kicked the game off.

The Pirates were quickly in their groove and scored some excellent tries in the sunshine. Wing Arthur Relton dashed in at the Piggy Lane corner for an opener, with returning fly-half Arwel Robson landing the conversion.

Further first half tries flowed for the Pirates, including a next one for Aussie backrower Rory Suttor on debut. Robson's conversion attempt missed but he then scored the next try, to the left of the posts, which he also converted.

Not surprisingly, the willing Reds were finding it difficult to combat the Pirates raw power, typified by centre Harry Yates and bustling backrower Tomiwa Agbongbon who was deservedly next on the scoresheet, and in remaining time to the break scrum half and skipper Dan Hiscocks darted in for a score, plus there was one for debutant wingman Ben Cambriani. During the process Robson slotted a further three conversions, for the halftime score to read 0-38.

In a second half when replacements aplenty were introduced, Pirates' hooker Moran Nelson got the scoreboard ticking once more. Replacement fly-half Louie Sinclair was luckless with his first conversion attempt and the Pirates then lost the services on debutant prop Alessandro Heaney to the sin bin.

The efforts by Redruth deserved a score, which materialised when lock Jamin Prisk crashed over at the posts for a try converted by fly-half Dean Wills. To their credit the Reds were certainly more in the game than in the first forty, however the Pirates increased their lead when impressive centre Harry Yates scored two tries, both converted by Sinclair, which took the score comfortably past the 50-mark.

Finally, to complete the afternoon's proceedings it was winger Relton, the scorer of the game's opening try, who scored his team's tenth try, converted by Sinclair, which left the final scoreline reading 7-64.

Speaking after the game, Cornish Pirates' Joint head coach Gavin Cattle commented:

"Firstly, many thanks to the always supportive Redruth club for hosting a match where in the first half I thought we looked pretty lively.

"As can be expected in a first match of the season some passes didn't go to hand, which would be disappointing in a 'Champ' game, but there were also a lot of pleasing aspects. Harry Yates looked powerful, Charlie Rice was physical, and our new players featured well.

"We appeared able and organised, but the true litmus test will be on Friday when the physicality will inevitably be at a different level for our friendly at home against Bedford Blues."

Redruth: 15 Nat Dart 14 Lewis Bostock 13 Jack Simmons 12 Sam James 11 Jack Counter 10 Dean Wills 9 Dan Rutter; 1 Luke Barnes 2 Tom Cowan-Dickie 3 Tyler Gendall 4 Jamie Prisk 5 Mawgan Osborne 6 Edd Pascoe (captain) 7 Finn Robinson 8 Connor Triggs.

Replacements: Jarrod Hambly, Rohan Eweals, Cam Leigh, Dan Goldsmith, Jack King, Finn Wolstencroft, Adam Hall, Noah Clifford, Lewis Thomas, Rhys Bowery, Connor Chesterfield.

Cornish Pirates: 15 Iwan Price-Thomas, 14 Ben Cambriani, 13 Chester Ribbons, 12 Harry Yates, 11 Arthur Relton, 10 Arwel Robson, 9 Dan Hiscocks (captain); 1 Billy Young, 2 Morgan Nelson, 3 Alfie Petch, 4 Charlie Rice, 5 Josh King, 6 Rory Suttor, 7 Barnaby Elderkin, 8 Tomiwa Agbongbon.

Replacements: Matt Pritchard, Alessandro Heaney, Ollie Andrews, Milo Hallam, Matt Cannon, Will Rigelsford, Louie Sinclair, Joe Elderkin, Matty Ward.

Yellow card: Alessandro Heaney.  

Scorers:

Redruth – Try: Prisk; con: Wills.

Cornish Pirates – Tries: Relton (2), Yates (2), Suttor, Robson, Agbongbon, Hiscocks, Cambriani, Nelson; cons: Robson (4), Sinclair (3).

Referee:   Adam Wookey     Assistants:   Will Williams & Olly Parsons

(Following Saturday's encounter, the Cornish Pirates remaining two home friendlies are both on Friday evenings, against Bedford Blues on this coming weekend and against Exeter Chiefs on the 12^th September. Both matches kick-off at 7.30pm. As for their opening game in 'Champ' rugby, that is at home to Hartpury on Saturday 4^th October, kick off at 2.30pm.)

📷Centre Harry Yates, who scored two tries in the match, was in fine form for the Pirates - Photo Credit Brian Tempest