PLAYING the Cornwall Cup quarter-final tie in ideal conditions at the Mennaye Field on Saturday, the Pirates Amateurs contested this match admirably against visting Wadebridge Camels who play in a league higher.
The ‘Ams’, though not quite at full strength, welcomed back scrum-half Sam Carter from Royal Navy duty, and there were returns too in the starting XV for hooker Connor Bick and lock Sam Heath.
Rhodri McAtee was also available to take a place on the bench where he was joined by Cornish Pirates’ analyst Eddie Hounsell who was making his debut for the Pirates Amateurs.
The Amateurs held a narrow 27-21 advantage at halftime, but it was the more experienced Camels who ultimately prevailed, at the end using their driving line-out to good effect in sealing their victory.
In a match where prop Ben Taylor was their adjudged man of the match, tries for the Pirates were scored by number 8 Eddy Hall, wing Sam Coogan, hooker Connor Bick, and scrum-half Sam Carter, with fly-half Rhys Brownfield landing four conversions and two penalties.
Speaking after the game, Pirates Amateurs’ head coach Murray Westren said: "Although this fixture provided a good experience for us, the end result was disappointing, because at one time it looked as if we had the capability to cause an upset.
"Unfortunately, however, we just made too many crucial errors in the second half, which enabled the more experienced Wadebridge side to get back into the game, gain confirdence, and seal what was for them a deserved win."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here