Pirates psyched up for revenge mission
CORNISH Pirates will be aiming to avoid the yellow peril which his seen six of their players sin-binned in the last two matches when they entertain Hartpury bidding to avenge the shock defeat which prevented them from heading into Christmas as league leaders.
Despite being under strength numerically for so much of both matches, the battling spirit and defensive capabilities of Pirates enabled them to come away with bonus point wins at home to Doncaster and away to Ampthill where they finished with 13 players.
Joint head coaches Alan Paver and Gavin Cattle pledged that they would be working on their disciplinary problems which Cattle described as “unacceptable” promising: “That’s something that will be addressed.”
But they were denied an early opportunity to see if their remedial work had paid off when last Saturday’s visit to Richmond was called off.
Pirates are looking to avenge their 38-17 September setback at Hartpury but Paver, right, warned: “Hartpury have made significant improvements this year. They are well coached and have a playing roster that has improved in terms of quality.
“With a formidable maul, as we have, it should be quite a battle up front and I envisage the outcome will, as is often the case, come down to the small numbers.
“It is always nice to get a traditional game at home during the Christmas period, especially in front of a big crowd. Excitement levels increase and, as long as the weather is halfdecent, then we should be in for a cracker of a contest. Defeat at Hartpury came as a shock to the Cornish side’s system but they bounced back the following week to overcome Championship favourites Ealing Trailfinders 15-12 at the Mennaye to embark on a five-match winning run. The Pirates responded to their second defeat – 15-5 away to Jersey – by beating Doncaster 29-7, just a week after the Knights had become the second side this season to upset moneybags club Ealing. Pirates now occupy third place just one point behind Jersey and three points adrift of the Trailfinders who could need to avenge the losses to both the Pirates and the Knights if they are to achieve their much-vaunted Premiership ambitions this season.
“The top of the table is tight as Ealing Trailfinders are not having it all their own way,” added Paver. “Three teams are presently pushing extremely hard, so this weekend is vastly important and it is essential we come out of the game with points before we head into what will be another big game away to Ealing on New Year’s Day.”