Pirates Keen to Put Up a Good Performance

About to play their penultimate league game of the season at home against Hartpury on Saturday (ko 2.30pm), the Cornish Pirates are keen to keen to put up a good performance in this fifth versus seventh RFU Championship round 21 clash.

About to play their penultimate league game of the season at home against Hartpury on Saturday (ko 2.30pm), the Cornish Pirates are keen to keen to put up a good performance in this fifth versus seventh RFU Championship round 21 clash.About to play their penultimate league game of the season at home against Hartpury on Saturday (ko 2.30pm), the Cornish Pirates are keen to keen to put up a good performance in this fifth versus seventh RFU Championship round 21 clash.

Playing against a team that beat them 22-16 at Hartpury in December, the Cornish Pirates have made just two changes in their starting XV from the one that won 14-13 away to Doncaster Knights last Saturday. Both are in the centre where Joe Elderkin and Shae Tucker are this week selected. Also, important to note, is that for fly-half Arwel Robson this game will mark his 50th appearance for the club. As for the bench, 23-year-old new arrival prop Jacob Morris, who is dual registered with Exeter Chiefs, will wear the number 17 shirt.

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s encounter, Cornish Pirates’ joint head coach Alan Paver has commented:

“Hartpury are congratulated on having had a good year. This included beating us at their place earlier in the season, although I felt we didn’t do ourselves justice that day.

“We were though beaten fair and square, so at home this week, and in front of a big crowd for the last home league game of the season, we’ll be keen just to get out there and get a good performance under our belt.

“Overall, I am over the moon to see how the squad has galvanised and have moved on, with a focus to keep improving. A high level of spirit has been evolved and, as we have seen, the second half of the season has been very good for us.”

With reference to Arwel Robson’s expected 50th appearance milestone, Alan also said:

“It is fantastic for him. To get to 50 games so quickly is a fine achievement, and growing in his role he has been great for us.”

The Cornish Pirates full selection for Saturday is as follows:

Cornish Pirates:   15 AJ Cant 14 Robin Wedlake 13 Shae Tucker 12 Joe Elderkin 11 Arthur Relton 10 Arwel Robson 9 Ruaridh Dawson; 1 Jack Andrew 2 Will Crane 3 Matt Johnson 4 Cory Teague 5 Will Britton 6 Alex Everett 7 Will Gibson 8 John Stevens (captain).

Replacements:   16 Max Norey 17 Jacob Morris 18 Hayden King 19 Steele Barker 20 Jarrard Hayler 21 Tom Kessell 22 Harry Bazalgette 23 Will Trewin.

Referee:   Harry Walbaum

Assistants:   Calum Howard & Kevin Williams

Official 4:   James Minards 

PR/Coach:   Brian Campsall

Match Day Sponsor:   Varfell Farms  

Match Ball Sponsor:   Tricorn Consulting Ltd

Tickets: Tickets for this weekend’s game will be available at the gates on the day from 12.30pm, whilst in the meantime they can also be purchased on-line. For further information please visit:                                                                                                                www.cornish-pirates.com/tickets

End of Season Awards: At the end of Saturday’s match, weather permitting certain end of season awards are expected to be presented from in front of the main grandstand.