Rugb returns to Mennaye Field
Cornish Pirates 55 Royal Navy 3
When the Cornish Pirates faced the Royal Navy at the Mennaye Field on Friday evening, their supporters revelled at the opportunity to see their team perform ‘live’ for the first time since March last year. The result and performance on a beautifully balmy September’s evening also clearly pleased them.
Yes, this prestigious opening pre-season fixture saw the Pirates win convincingly. However, despite the scoreline there was much to commend in the effort made by the visitors. Various representative service teams have visited the Mennaye Field over the years, including the Army, however the one to be made by the actual Royal Navy senior side was a first, with Cornishman Dave Pascoe, a former Penryn, Pirates and Cornwall player their head coach.
After John Stevens proudly led the Pirates out in the absence of club captain Nicolas De Battista, just ahead of kick-off both teams lined up in front of the Truro & Penwith College grandstand. PA announcer Phil Westren then asked all about to stand before expressing the following words:
“Ladies & Gentlemen, it is 18 months since we last had a crowd of supporters here to watch a Cornish Pirates game. Nobody could have predicted what was ahead of us, and certain words must be expressed – firstly to remember those who have sadly passed away during the period – stalwart supporters, former players and club captains, including recently Owen Barnes. We remember them.
“Also, importantly, how very thankful we were, and should continue to be, for the outstanding efforts made by our NHS and other key workers, including members of the services.
“So, in remembering those fine people no longer with us, and for what they achieved in their lives, plus to show appreciation to those key people mentioned – a minute’s applause will shortly start and end on the sound of the referee’s whistle.”
Following the minute’s applause, with match soon underway the Pirates were quick to get points on the scoreboard thanks to a try scored at the Penzance posts by flanker Matt Bolwell. Fly-half Arwel Robson added the extras.
The Royal Navy side, which was led by a familiar face in Cornishman Ben Priddey, hit back with a penalty slotted by fly-half Rickus Brink, but it would be their only points in the game.
A next try-scorer for the home team was wing Callum Sirker who wasone of nine players making their debut in Pirates colours. His effort was converted by Robson as was a third try scored by No. 8 Caleb
Montgomery. On loan from Worcester Warriors, he slotted in well and put in a good physical performance.
Further tries in the first half were registered by Marlen Walker - normallya prop but who didn’t look at all out of place at hooker - and by Arwel Robson and centre Rory Parata. The one by Robson, scored in the clubhouse corner, followed some sublime inter-play involving Sirker and
man of the match full-back Carwyn Penny.
A 36-3 half-time scoreline was impressive. Established Pirates and new faces had blended well together, which continued into the second period despite numerous changes in personnel.
The Royal Navy introduced hooker Connor Bick off their bench. A product of the Pirates youth section he has also played for the Pirates Amateurs. Another Cornishman, wing Matt Bowden, intercepted and
looked odds on to score the service team, only to be thwarted by referee Sara Cox’s whistle.
To complete their victory, and with a miserly defence denying a never- say-die Navy team any further points, the Pirates scored three more tries in the match. Wing Alex O’Meara, prop Hayden King, and Walker again all crossed the whitewash at the Newlyn gate corner, with fly-half Harry Bazalgette converting two.
Speaking after the game, Cornish Pirates’ joint head coach Gavin Cattle said: “The fixture naturally made an enjoyable occasion for everyone involved and especially for supporters who have been so keen to return. There was credit also to the Navy team who at this stage have not had much opportunity to play much rugby together. I think they did extremely well, and it is a fixture that I hope we can build upon in the future.
“As for a look at our performance, the game broke up quite a bit, but I am pleased how we managed it by playing territory well and looking sharp on the ball. For a first hit out it was very pleasing.”
With visit of Worcester Warriors on the horizon for the Pirates second pre-season fixture this coming Saturday (ko 5pm), Gavin commented: “Playing the Warriors will be a different type of test altogether, as it goes up another level - which is just what we are looking for.”
Cornish Pirates: 15 Carwyn Penny, 14 Callum Sirker, 13 Rory Parata, 12 Shae Tucker, 11 Tommy Wyatt, 10 Arwel Robson, 9 Ruaridh Dawson; 1 James Kenny, 2 Marlen Walker, 3 Patrick Schickerling, 4
Josh Caulfield, 5 Danny Cutmore, 6 Matt Bolwell, 7 John Stevens (captain), 8 Caleb Montgomery.
Replacements: Jack Andrew, Hayden King, Syd Blackmore, Sam Rodman, Alfie Petch, Cory Teague, Steele Barker, Ed Scragg, Will Gibson, Harry Bazalgette, Alex O’Meara, Joe Elderkin, AJ Cant.
Royal Navy: 15 MNE Craig Duncan, 14 MNE Kane Teear-Bourge, 13 MNE Kai Baker, 12 MNE Matthew Owen, 11 AB (CS) Ben Raivalitia, 10 MNE Rickus Brink, 9 MNE Alex Petersen; 1 LET (ME) Richie Ives, 2 MNE Rhys Williams 3 LAET Chris Warner, 4 MNE Josh Williams, 5 LA (AH) Ben Watson, 6 MNE Toby Papp, 7 LPTI Ben Priddey (captain), 8 MNE Rory Mitchell
Replacements: 16 ET (ME) Dom Cleverley, 17 Ben Illsley, 18 AET Connor Bick, 19 Lt Jack Cohen RM, 20 ET (WE) Matt Scott, 21 AB (Diver) Jack Goodey, 22 Lt Keaton Leyland-Jones RN, 23 MNE Joe Palmer, 24 AB (Diver) Gavin Hughan, 25 LAET (M) Sam Carter, 26 AET Jay Toogood, 27 LAET Chris Mills, 28 Lt Matt Bowden RN, 29 MNE Rory Dingemans, 30 AB (SEA) Jesse Lowe, 31 MNE Mick Stratford.
Scorers:
Cornish Pirates – tries: Walker (2), Bolwell, Sirker, Montgomery, Robson, Parata, O’Meara, King; cons: Robson (3), Bazalgette (2).
Royal Navy – pen: Brink.
Referee: Sara Cox RFU
‘Tribute’ Man of the Match: Carwyn Penny.
‘Glengoyne’ Try of the Match: Arwel Robson.
Attendance: 1,593.