Match Preview - Pirates v Doncaster

By Dick Straughan
February 5 2007

The Cornish Pirates head into Sunday`s crunch encounter against Doncaster Knights knowing that victory against their high-flying rivals will see them climb back into the top three in Division One.

Both sides expectedly notched healthy victories in last weekends EDF Energy Trophy Round 4 ties, the Pirates thrashing Division One strugglers Moseley 48-0 at Camborne whilst Doncaster eased past Rosslyn Park from Division Three South by 62-7. Both Coaches used the fixtures to rotate their squads with Clive Griffiths at Doncaster making seven changes to his usual starting line-up whilst the Pirates Jim McKay took a similar approach.

Despite losing narrowly at Bedford last time they were on the road in the league and then unexpectedly drawing their last home game against London Welsh confidence at Doncaster remains high. Griffiths believes that last weeks cup win has provided him with a few selection headaches, "The Pirates are a strong team so its good that I have got so many good players hitting form at the right time - Its going to be hard to pick the team." He singled out former Pirates favourite Wes Davies for special praise, "He`s a very versatile player and will play anywhere. As long as he is in the team he is happy."

Pirates Head Coach Jim McKay will have been heartened by the successful returns from niggling injuries of James Inglis and Duncan Roke against Moseley. Rhodri Wells marked his full league debut at scrum-half with a brace of tries whilst Tim Cowley, in the absence of Gavin Cattle, led the team with fire and passion. The only blot on the Pirates copybook last Sunday was the red card awarded to prop Sam Heard for stamping. Despite this he may still figure in this week`s squad squad.

The Pirates won by 29-23 at Castle Park in early October when Alberto Di Bernardo`s majestic kicking display proved decisive. Last season at Kenwyn this fixture yielded a ten-try thriller in which a Rhodri McAtee hat-trick helped the Pirates to a 43-26 win. However the Knights are a vastly improved team this season and their 3rd place in the league signifies an ambition for greater success that Pirates fans will keenly relate to.

With all to play for and the weather in Cornwall set fair for Sunday a large crowd is expected. The action at the Camborne Rec kicks-off as usual at 2pm.