Match Preview - Cornish Pirates v Moseley

By Dick Straughan
January 19 2007

The Cornish Pirates kick-off their EDF National Trophy campaign on Sunday with a home 4th Round fixture against Division One strugglers Moseley. Victory would see the Pirates just two further rounds from the mouthwatering prospect of a Twickenham final.

The Cornish Pirates come into the game on the back of three successive hard fought wins in difficult winter conditions. Last Saturday`s late victory at Newbury against dangerous opponents saw them climb back to 4th in the table after a pre-Christmas wobble. Moseley however have lost their last two games including a dreadful home defeat to fellow strugglers Waterloo. Last weekend saw them concede five tries at Pertemps Bees in a 36-25 reverse.

Pirates Head Coach Jim McKay has this week been keen to play down his team`s massive home advantage and said, "I`m sure they will becoming down here going for it, so we will have to be on the top of our game."

Indeed the Cup is always a great leveller and nothing can be taken for granted by the Pirates faithful who, for the last two seasons, have seen their team dumped out of the competition at the first hurdle by Coventry and Plymouth Albion respectively.

Moseley have shipped 94 points in two league fixtures against the Pirates this season and with league survival their main objective are likely to make changes to the team that started last week against the Bees. Their crunch relegation derby at home to Otley next week may be the priority of Coach Ian Smith.

The Pirates have yet to name their starting line up for Sunday but speculation is rife that Jim McKay may also shuffle his cards with the return from injury of Alan Paver, Duncan Roke and Sam Heard a possibility. At Newbury the Pirates lacked eight first team players through injury and as the sick bay steadily clears the encouraging form of Rhodri Wells, James Moore and Quins loanee James Inglis may pose a pleasant selection dilemma for McKay.

The action starts at 2pm on Sunday at the Camborne Rec and spectators are advised that this is an all pay fixture. The weather forecast is for cold blustery showers coming in from the north during the afternoon. After the torrid conditions of the last few weeks this should be no more than a minor irritation to the Pirates and their supporters.