Match Preview - Cornish Pirates v Earth Titans

By Dick Straughan
March 16 2007

Sunday`s televised encounter between the Cornish Pirates and the Earth Titans at Camborne will not be a game for the feint hearted if Andre Bester has anything to do with it.

With league leaders Leeds Tykes at home to the resurgent Exeter Chiefs and his own Titans team just three points behind in second place, the South African is in no mood to accept second best in Cornwall. "We need to be bold, ruthless and aggressive" he told the press this week, adding,"This game is like a cup final for us. If we lose it we have a big problem."

Encouraging news indeed, not just for the expected large crowd at the Rec but also for the many thousands who will watch this match live on TV courtesy of Sky. The Titans will have no fond memories of their last televised league encounter when losing heavily to Quins during their previous stay in the Premiership, but overhauling their Yorkshire rivals and pipping them for the title is still very much a possibility.

The Titans come into this fixture in good form after beating Plymouth Albion last weekend to record a fifth successive victory. Indeed in all competitions they have not lost since a narrow 15-9 reverse at Doncaster on December 23rd. They are the league`s leading try scorers and possess two major points scoring machines in Brian Tuohy and rumoured Pirates target Gareth Steenson.

Jim McKay`s Pirates side will be undaunted by the task facing them as they begin a massive six days for the club. Next up being the huge EDF Trophy Semi-Final at home to Plymouth Albion. Two incredibly important games for the team with the only difference being the absence of broadcast media for the latter. The presence of Sky Sports this Sunday is a major endorsement not just for the efforts being made on and off the field at the Pirates and Titans, but for Division One rugby in general. Surely this league cannot be deprived of a sponsor and broadcast rights for much longer?

McKay`s men warmed up for Sunday`s fixture with a hard fought victory against a stubborn Nottingham team, difficult weather conditions, and a whistle-happy referee. Worryingly both captain, Gavin Cattle (elbow), and prop Sam Heard (knock), were lost during the match and the Pirates faithful will hope that both are fit to return. With Jimmy Moore continuing his rich vein of form at fly-half it is unlikely that the league`s leading points scorer Alberto Di Bernardo will be rushed back from a rib injury.

The Titans have had little success in the south-west of late and the Pirates will aim to prolong that losing streak. Last time out at Kenwyn, Truro the Pirates demolished a vastly inferior Titans team by 43-13 on a day when Richard Welding notched five out of seven tries. Earlier this season the Pirates overturned an 18 point half-time deficit to triumph 18-24 with tries from Cattle, Winn and Vinnecombe.

The action kicks off on Sunday at 4pm. It will be televised live on Sky Sports 3 and there is also coverage expected from BBC Radio Cornwall.