Knights biggest game of the season

Posted on Apr 14, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

Without a shadow of a doubt Doncaster Knights are in their biggest contest of the RFU Championship 2010/11 season this weekend when they face the Cornish Pirates in a 3pm kick off at Castle Park. The final round of the promotion play off group stage has the Knights in second place within their group and a win on Saturday puts them through to a Semi Final berth away against Worcester Warriors. All the more an outstanding effort as many tipped them to finish bottom of the group, and Bedford Blues started with a points advantage due to merit of finishing second place compared to the Knights sixth place finish.

Having lost their opening game to the Pirates away at the Mennaye, the Knights found a rich vein of form which saw them defeat Rotherham titans home and away and pull off a victory over Bedford Blues at their home ground of Goldington Road. Having lost by only a single point to the team many thought would be main contenders for the semi finals and beyond the week previously, the Knights stuck to their task and the unfancied victory put them in the driving seat for second place in Pool B.

Bedford themselves will take on the Knights near neighbours Rotherham Titans at the same time, but Doncaster have their destiny in their own hands if they can beat a Pirates team that are undefeated in the play off challenge so far. Once again the Knights will need to show their true underdog spirit.

The team have gotten themselves into a position to achieve this, but what they need to have a chance to realize their ambition is a big support from the Doncaster fans at Castle Park this Saturday.

Tickets are on sale on the day, at Castle Park Reception during the week and online via www.drfc.co.uk. The club implores South Yorkshire Rugby fans to join as one with the players this weekend and help lift them to the challenge of the visiting Pirates.

The Semi Final, if achieved, will be held at Sixways v Worcester Warriors and will be the Knights first appearance on SKY Sports for several seasons despites having some of the best facilities in the Championship. The Date of the semi final would be the 1st of May with a 1.30pm kick off and the Knights would love to be there.

RFU Championship Playoffs: pressure builds in Pool ‘B’

Posted on Apr 8, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

For the second time this season the Cornish Pirates will welcome the players, officials and supporters from Bedford Blues to the Mennaye Field on Sunday (ko 3pm).

The teams have actually met three times in 2010-11. In Stage One of the Championship the Pirates lost 32-25 away in October, and won 23-13 at home in January, whilst in this play-offs Stage Two the Pirates recorded a fine 31-18 win at Goldington Road just three weeks ago.

The Blues were likely favourites to top Pool B at this stage, so they will be bruised and disappointed to have lost two of their four games to date, their second defeat a surprise 33-31 loss at home to Doncaster Knights last Saturday. However, a win on Sunday and victory at home to Rotherham Titans on Saturday week could still see them top the table and earn a home draw in the semi-finals. There are various permutations possible, Pool B one that certainly demands interest.

For the Pirates, in pole position at present, it is their biggest game to date this season, and it’ll likely be the side who can handle the pressure best who will emerge victorious.

Speaking ahead of Sunday’s important game, Cornish Pirates high performance manager Chris Stirling has said:

"The boys were pretty battered after a very tough game at Rotherham and it will be extra tough this weekend. Bedford will be smarting after losing two at home but we have got to go out and take it to them in an effort to grab the points and secure a home semi-final."

The Cornish Pirates side named to take on the Blues is as follows:-

Cornish Pirates: R. Cook, G. Pointer, M. Hopper, T. Luke, W. Davies, J. Bentley, G. Cattle (capt), P. Burgess, S. Betty, C. Morgan, B. Gulliver, L. McGlone, A. Paver, D. Ward, P. Andrew.

Replacements: R. Storer, R. Elloway, C. Rimmer, M. Myerscough, T. Holmes, S. Winn, J. Doherty.

Referee: Dean Richards (RFU) Assistants: Richard Parker-Sedgemore & Eric Woodmason

Reserve Referee: Philip Davies Referee Coach: Jerry Wallis

Match Day Sponsor: Coodes

Tickets for Sunday’s game have been flying out, which is no surprise, and they are available from the club’s ticket office 01736-331961, on-line at www.cornish-pirates.com, and from various Warrens bakers outlets about the county. The advice is buy early and be there early – it’s going to be busy!

Quins sign Matt Hopper from Pirates

Posted on Apr 4, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

The 26 year old centre will join the London club at the end of the season from Championship side, Cornish Pirates.

Previously with Plymouth, Matt spent a year in Australia after University playing for Manley in the Sydney Premiership.

Matt Hopper, says:

“I like the way Quins play and am looking forward to working with Conor O’shea. I have heard good things about the way Mark Mapletoft coaches and am excited about developing my skills with him and the other coaches.

“There are not only a number of experienced players within the squad, which I am excited about learning from, but also a huge number of young and exciting players.

"I would also like to thank the Pirates for giving me an opportunity to play good rugby this season, and helping me develop into a Premiership player ”

Harlequins Director of Rugby, Conor O’Shea, says:

“We are delighted to announce Matt’s signing. He is a player that has come down a different route to most into professional rugby and has demonstrated an energy and ability in his game that will fit our style perfectly."

Pirates take on Rotherham again – but this time away!

Posted on Apr 1, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

Having thrashed Rotherham 67-14 at the Mennaye Field on Sunday, the Cornish Pirates, who will need no reminding that they lost 19-18 away to the Titans in January, know they can expect a totally different encounter when they travel to the Yorkshire team’s Clifton Lane ground this Saturday (ko 3pm).

The Cornish Pirates selection is as follows:-

Cornish Pirates: R. Cook, G. Pointer, M. Hopper, T. Luke, W. Davies, J. Bentley, G. Cattle (capt),
K. Marriott, S. Betty, C. Morgan, B. Gulliver, M. Myerscough, A. Paver, D. Ward, P. Andrew.

Replacements: R. Storer, R. Elloway, C. Rimmer, L. McGlone, P. Burgess, J. Doherty, D. Locke.

Speaking ahead of the game, forwards coach Ian Davies said:

"After a poor first forty last week the Titans played with a bit of pride in the second half, and we know they’ll provide much sterner opposition this weekend.

We have been beaten on our last two visits to Clifton Lane, which speaks for itself. However, being in a position whereby we have won our first three play-off games, the squad will be keen to make it four from four."

At the midway point after three games played in the RFU Championship play-offs, the Pirates sit proudly at the top of the Pool B table on 16 points. Bedford Blues are second on 12, Doncaster Knights third on 7, and Rotherham Titans are fourth on 1.

Worcester Warriors are presently top of Pool A on 17 points, followed by London Welsh (12), Nottingham (8) and Bristol (1).

After six pool matches have been completed the top two teams from Pools A and B will progress to the semi-final and then the winners to the final. The semi-finals are to be played on the weekend 30th April/1st May, involving 1st Pool A versus 2nd Pool B and 1st Pool B versus 2nd Pool A. This year’s two-legged final is scheduled for Wednesdays 11th and 18th May.

In the relegation play-offs (Pool C) Esher are on 16 points, Plymouth Albion have 15, Moseley are on 12, and the Bees of Birmingham & Solihull have 9. In Pool C, after each team has played their six pool matches, the lowest ranked team will be relegated to National Division One.

Besides this Saturday’s clash at Clifton Lane, the Pirates are at home to Bedford on Sunday week (ko 3pm) and away to Doncaster on Saturday 16th April (ko 3pm). All three games present tough challenges.

Titans will provide stern opposition for the Pirates

Posted on Mar 25, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

The Cornish Pirates will extend a warm welcome to Rotherham Titans on Sunday for a hugely important Pool B game in the RFU Championship. Kick-off at the Mennaye Field is at 4.05pm.

It will be Rotherham’s second visit to Penzance this season, where they were beaten 40-15 points back in October. However, the Titans got their revenge with a 19-18 win at Clifton Lane in January.

To date in Pool B of the RFU Championship play-offs, the Pirates have beaten Doncaster Knights 33-25 at home, and Bedford Blues 31-18 away, whilst Sunday’s Yorkshire visitors have lost 58-15 at home to Bedford and 41-26 away to Doncaster.

The Pirates win at Bedford’s Goldington Road ground last Sunday, where they went for glory and got their reward, was just fabulous to witness, besides also being another great advert for the RFU Championship. Both teams emerged with credit and and it’s hoped that Sunday’s line-ups will make a similar impression. One thing for certain, however, is that the Pirates won’t take the challenge from the Titans lightly. Yes, they have lost two games, but look closer at each match and it is perhaps not so surprisingly obvious that the results could be deemed misleading. Bedford might have won by a comfortable margin at Rotherham, but the Blues toiled for most of the first hour, with there only one score separating the sides approaching the last quarter. Also, from their game at Doncaster last weekend it needs remembering that they still scored four tries against the Knights to register a deserved bonus point.

Rotherham’s Argentine fly-half/centre, Juan Pablo Socino, who ended Stage One of the Championship as the competition’s fifth top scorer on 240 points, has added 21 more to his tally in Stage Two, including two tries. Of interest, Cornish ‘Pirate’ Rob Cook ended Stage One in first place on 262 points, which has now risen to an impressive 295 – taking into account the 33 (two tries and 23 points with the boot) he has scored in the last two games.

Referee: Luke Pearce (RFU) Assistant Referees: Nigel Higginson & James Minards

Reserve Referee: Matt Carley TMO: Geoff Warren

Mascot: Freddie Ferris Match Day Sponsor: St. Austell Brewery

The Cornish Pirates side selected for Sunday’s game is as follows:-

Cornish Pirates: R. Cook, G. Pointer, M. Hopper, T. Luke, W. Davies, J. Bentley, G. Cattle (capt), K. Marriott, S. Betty, C. Morgan, B. Gulliver, M. Myerscough, A. Paver, D. Ward, P. Andrew.

Replacements: C. Rimmer, R. Elloway, L. McGlone, P. Burgess, J. Doherty, D. Locke, R. McAtee.

Speaking ahead of the match, Cornish Pirates’ backs coach Harvey Biljon commented:

"We will consider what Rotherham will bring to the occasion but at the same time make sure that we are well prepared and focused on the task at hand. The Titans always provide stern opposition, and this is a huge game. However, if we concentrate on our performance and show maturity, then we have every chance to make home advantage count."