London Welsh team news

Posted on May 22, 2012 in London Welsh

London Welsh head to Mennaye Field for the 1st leg of the Championship final looking to reverse their recent run of poor form at the home of the Cornish Pirates.

The Exiles have lost on their last three visits to Mennaye Field and have not beaten the Pirates in their last three meetings.

When the sides met at Mennaye Field earlier in the season, the Pirates enjoyed a comfortable 27-6 victory – Rudi Brits, Dave Ward and Matt Evans scoring the home side’s tries.

That followed a 17-17 draw at Old Deer Park, in which Alex Davies came off the bench to land three late penalties to give the Exiles a share of the spoils.

The Exiles’ previous visit conjures no less favourable memories, coming in last season’s 18-10 Championship semi-final defeat. Welsh led 10-3 at half-time thanks to Matt Corker’s try, but second half scores from Gavin Cattle and Rhodri McAtee sent the Pirates into the final.

The regular 2010/11 season also produced a home win for the Pirates, 22-3. McAtee scoring the only try of the game.

Welsh have to go back to March 2010 for their last win at Mennaye Field, when 22 unanswered points saw the Exiles snatch a 28-24 victory. Nathan Bonner-Evans, Charlie Gower and Ben Thomas the London Welsh try scorers.

The Exiles’ last win over the Pirates came in November 2010 when the Exiles won 23-16 at Old Deer Park. Aled Thomas kicking 18 points and Dom Shabbo crossing for the home side’s only try.

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Ross demands 80-minute Welsh performance

Posted on May 22, 2012 in Championship, Cornish Pirates, London Welsh

Mennaye Field hasn’t been the happiest of hunting grounds for Gordon Ross or London Welsh in recent visits, but both will need to reverse that trend, or as near as, if the Exiles are to move a step closer to the Championship title.

Welsh head to Cornwall for Wednesday’s 1st leg of the Championship final double-header with the Pirates (kick-off 7:45pm), having lost on their last three visits to the ground.

That losing run includes last season’s 18-10 semi-final defeat, with the Pirates going on to contest the final with Worcester Warriors.

The sides’ meeting in January at Mennaye Field produced a comfortable 27-6 win for the Pirates on a miserable afternoon on the south-west coast. It was a game which also saw Ross see yellow.

“The last three times we’ve been down there in the league we haven’t performed, we’ve been really disappointing,” said Ross.

“We’ve been in and out of the game but not put together a performance for 80 minutes.

“The one thing the Pirates do is they come at you for 80 minutes, they don’t give you any space or time.

“We’ve got to make sure that for 80 minutes we’re nice and proactive and ready for that challenge, and hopefully we can put our game together and challenge their defence.

“I’ve not had a great time down at Pirates personally, but that’s up to me to sort out.
I’m hoping to take inspiration from the big football game last Saturday – Hearts beating Hibs 5-1 in the Scottish Cup final!”

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Jones respectful of Pirates threat

Posted on May 16, 2012 in London Welsh

If London Welsh are to win the Championship they’ll have to do something they haven’t managed all season, beat the Cornish Pirates.

The two games between the sides in the regular season produced a comfortable win for the Pirates at Mennaye Field, while three late Alex Davies penalties salvaged a 17-17 draw for Welsh at Old Deer Park.

Of course, the Pirates also came out on top, 18-10, in last year’s one-off semi-final at Mennaye Field.

“The Cornish Pirates are a very good side,” said Jones. “They don’t rely on any particular type of rugby or strength, they’ve got the ability to play all types of rugby and I would be very respectful of that.

“That’s what you’ve got to have. To have a sniff of going up you’ve got to be able to pay all types of rugby.

“They’ve got a good kicking full back, they’ve a very sound organised pack of forwards and they finished third and we finished fourth in the regular season.

“But throughout the season both teams have grown and we’re really looking forward to an opportunity to show ourselves at the highest level in this league.

“From where we were in September to where we are now is chalk and cheese. We’re a confident side with the ability to play a bit of football, and just like the Cornish Pirates we can also play all types of games as and when it suits.”

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Welsh must earn final place, says Corker

Posted on May 2, 2012 in Championship, London Welsh

After losing two semi-finals London Welsh might be forgiven for thinking they’ve paid their dues, but the Exiles must earn the right to contest this year’s Championship final, according to Matt Corker (pictured).

The second row was part of the Welsh side which lost out to Bristol in 2010 and the Cornish Pirates last year, but Corker says such near misses will count for nothing against Bedford.

Goldington Road will host Friday’s 1st leg of the sides’ semi-final meeting, with Bedford travelling to Old Deer Park on May 13.

“You don’t get anything by rights – it’s got to be a complete performance from 1-22 for us to make the final,” said Corker, who’ll make his 149th appearance for the Exiles in Friday’s 1st leg.

“You can enjoy the play-offs, but this is where it gets really serious – I’m desperate to play in a final.

Bristol proved too good at the Memorial Stadium two years ago, winning 28-15, but the passing of time hasn’t altered Corker’s view of last year’s defeat to the Pirates at Mennaye Field. For Corker, it remains an opportunity missed.

The Exiles led 10-3 at half-time thanks to a rare Corker try, only to lose their way in the second half. From the moment Gavin Cattle ghosted down the blindside to score it was just a matter of time, and they duly ran out 18-10 winners.

“That was the disappointing thing; we did put ourselves in a great position at half-time,” recalled Corker.

“We played some good rugby, we played in the right areas of the field, our lineout I remember was working well, but we went away from what we were doing well.

“We had a couple of injuries and perhaps our squad wasn’t quite as strong in depth as it is this year. I think we’re very lucky to have a bench that can make a real impact.

“That’s not to take anything away from Pirates. Anyone at this stage of the competition are not going to roll over.

“You’ve got to play for 160 minutes and that’s what we’ve got to take away from that game. An 80 minute performance isn’t going to be enough.”

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Pirates announce first batch of re-signed players

Posted on Apr 26, 2012 in Championship, Cornish Pirates, English Rugby

The Cornish Pirates have announced the first batch of re-signed players for the 2012-13 season. In alphabetical order the list is as follows:-

Rob Cook (pictured) – a stand out player, this full-back is arguably the best recruit made by the coaches since they came on board in 2009. Rob has attracted a great deal of Premiership attention but has decided to stay in the hope that a Stadium for Cornwall is built where he can play for the Pirates – in the Premiership.

Wes Davies – after having this season curtailed by injury, supporters will be delighted to hear that wing Wes has decided to put his rugby retirement on hold for another year. He has signed a part-time contract and is hoping to have an injury free and try-scoring campaign.

Rob Elloway – consistent performances from hooker Rob over the last three seasons has seen him rewarded with a contract extension.

Tom Kessell – after impressing with his attitude to training and playing ‘Kess’ has gained a new contract for 2012-13. Having shown his worth filling in on the wing, he’ll hopefully get more game time next season in his favoured number ’9′ shirt.

Laurie McGlone – a rock who is the cornerstone of the Pirates pack, in the eyes of many this lock forward is always a surprise omission from the Championship’s Dream XV.

Alan Paver – this stalwart prop forward, who will be entering his eleventh season with the Pirates, has proved himself a true club man throughout. Not only as a stand out player on the pitch, he is also the coaching co-ordinator for Penzance & Newlyn RFC’s youth section.

Ryan Storer – the former Worthing and Harlequins U21s prop demands respect and has re-signed after establishing himself as a destructive prop within the Championship.
Commenting with reference to this announcement on player news, CEO Rod Coward said:

"This announcement of current playing squad members who have re-signed for season 2012-13 clearly shows our intention to be strong competitors in the Championship and British & Irish Cup next season. I am delighted that this group have decided to commit to the Pirates and will be making a further announcement next week.

"We have also readily agreed to Alan Paver’s request to grant him a well deserved testimonial next season and I’m sure all supporters will eagerly support Paves accordingly."