Tavistock vs Cornish Pirates Amateurs: Match Report

Photo credit: Brian Tempest

Match Report by Phil Westren

Pirates Edge the Moorlanders

Tavistock 33   Pirates Amateurs 35

Playing their first Counties 1 Tribute Western West away match in 2024, the spirited Pirates Amateurs, who won 39-36 against their Devon opponents at the Mennaye Field early in the season, managed the double with another closely fought but ultimately deserved victory.

The ‘Ams’ arrived at the break with the scoreline reading 19-15 in the home team’s favour. Indeed, the Moorlanders also held the initiative late in the second half before the never say die Pirates hit back with a penalty kicked by full-back Ben Wragg, an excellent try from replacement John Tyler, and then the all-important match winning conversion by Wragg.

There was much to commend in this result, as mentioned by head coach Murray Westren who at the end of the game commented:

“After not winning away from home since September this was a fantastic result.

“It was a back-and-forth game, and to score an outstanding winning try and hold on for the last five minutes was a very sweet feeling.

“Full credit to the lads for sticking to the task and showing a bucket full of character and togetherness!”

Pirates Amateurs:   15 Ben Wragg 14 Sam Coogan 13 Morgan Holman 12 Josh Semmens 11 Callum Gardner 10 Harris Eddy 9 Dan-Rhys Evans; 1 Sam Carrol 2 Ben Taylor (captain) 3 Dave Penrose 4 Stan Somers 5 BenMartin 6 Eli Williams 7 Tom Hutton 8 Archie OPilcher.

Replacements:   16 Nathan Griffiths 17 Wes Eddy 18 John Tyler.

Scorers – tries: Morgan Holman, Josh Semmens, Ben Taylor, John Tyler; cons: Ben Wragg (2), Dan-Rhys Evans; pens: Dan-Rhys Evans, Ben Wragg (2).

Man of the Match:   Ben Martin