Pirates Juniors Match Reports 08/09

Having drawn 3-all with Redruth on Saturday, when they had taken part in a half-time exhibition game played during the half-time period of the Redruth v Westcombe Park National Division Two match, the Pirates U8s were in action again at Hayle on Sunday morning.

Both teams on Sunday had sufficient players to field two sides, enabling all the youngsters to get a game.

In a first match Hayle were much the stronger side in the first period and led 7-1 at half-time. After the break, however, and with some good tagging, the Pirates came back into the game for the final score to read 9-4.

In the second game, the teams were more evenly matched, as is indicated by a 7-6 tries win for the home team.

U13s Are Starting To Click

Bodmin U13s 5 Pirates U13s 36

This was a physical and committed encounter where both teams put on a great exhibition of Cornish rugby, and one much enjoyed by a large and sporting crowd.

The Pirates opened the scoring with a try from the impressive Tom Holdsworth, which his co-centre Oliver Hallworth converted. Hallworth then crossed for a try of his own just a few minutes after the restart, his effort converted by Sam Coogan.

With the forwards working really well, the ball was recycled at speed for the ball to reach the wingers more quickly than of recent. All the good work certainly paid off before half-time, as first full-back Hamish Jeffrey and then big No. 8 Edward Holmes added two further tries.

In the second half, and despite using all of their replacements, for the Pirates it was more of the same. Holdsworth and Hallworth made it a brace of tries each, one of which Coogan converted, before Bodmin responded with a late try of their own.

Coach Sam Skinner commented that he was delighted to see the forwards take on board what they are learning in training, and with the backs really trying to put more width on the ball the team is starting to click.