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From the Pirates website

"Phil Westren's Preview

Victory Is The Ultimate Target For The Pirates

Disappointed not to have secured the full five points from their British & Irish Cup encounter at home to Doncaster Knights last weekend, when they ultimately had to settle for just two in a 31-30 points defeat, the Cornish Pirates travel to play Bedford Blues on Saturday still with a focus to make the quarter-finals of the competition.

This weekend's game is a final Round 6 match in Pool 4 of the Cup and the kick-off at Goldington Road is now at 2pm and not 3pm as originally advertised. There are five pools and the highest ranking club in each pool shall be the pool winner. They, along with the best three runners up across the five pools, will progress to the quarter-finals stage.

Saturday's Blues versus Pirates Pool 4 match, which is a third versus second affair, is one that for a number of reasons clearly has more than a little extra interest. It will be remembered that the Pirates lost an Appeal whereby the result of their home game versus Bedford Blues in the Cup was reversed, and then, three weeks ago, they battered the Blues with a super 65-14 points win in the Championship. That result stunned Bedford, so the Pirates expect Mike Rayer's side to be extra keen for revenge this weekend, and it noted too that the Blues won 48-10 away to Cross Keys in the Cup last Saturday.

British & Irish Cup matches to be played this weekend will demand close monitoring, and for supporters of the Pirates it will be a case of fingers crossed that the team can achieve victory, ideally with a bonus point, and that results of other games also go their way.

There are a number of changes from the team that started against Doncaster Knights, including the return to the starting line-up of skipper Chris Morgan. Tom Channon is back in at hooker, Alan Paver starts at tight-head prop, and the club's top points scorer Kieran Hallett returns at fly-half. Laurence May moves to full-back, Max Bodilly switches to one wing berth, with Kieran Goss taking the other, and another returnee, Tom Riley, will partner Alex Dancer in the centre.

Speaking ahead of Saturday's game, Cornish Pirates' Director of Rugby Ian Davies said: "A win is our ultimate target but we know this still may not see us through to the quarter-finals. As such, we have set performance targets too so that the match result is not the only focus."

Cornish Pirates:
15 Laurence May, 14 Kieran Goss, 13 Tom Riley, 12 Alex Dancer
11 Max Bodilly, 10 Kieran Hallett, 9 Tom Kessell
1 Jack Andrew, 2 Tom Channon, 3 Alan Paver, 4 Will Carrick Smith, 5 Darren Barry, 6 Chris Morgan (capt), 7 Joe Atkinson, 8 Matt Bolwell.

Replacements:
16 Dean Brooker, 17 Jamal Ford-Robinson, 18 Francisco Deformes
18 Laurie McGlone, 20 Joel Conlon, 21 Gavin Cattle, 22 Rheon James."

As strong as we could be, looks, on paper, to be a really good side.

Potentially and given some momentum the blues have the makings of a winning team going into the New Years, it's what we all want!

Can't get my head around who our best centres are - good looking team on paper

I just wish White was at 9. Lots more to come from him yet given the chance.

Think DV has been our best player all season. White will get his chance but we have the right 9 for now.

GS yep he's having a good season and think Tapley is too. Like the look of the centre partnership and plenty of pace in the backs. Should be a cracking game hopefully in front of a big crowd. COYB!

Why is it a 2pm KO , is it all part of a conspiracy to get people out of any sort of routine with their rugby watching or is it the 5 nations later?

Quote:

Hans Brix
Why is it a 2pm KO , is it all part of a conspiracy to get people out of any sort of routine with their rugby watching or is it the 5 nations later?

B&I cup requirements. All final pool games kick off at 2pm - presumably earlier than usual to cater for clubs with no floodlights.

It's not just spite then , thanks CB.

A very entertaining game, well done to the boys for bagging the bonus point win. Tapley was my mom.

Great game well played I would pay money to watch that - this is our standard- not great but good enough

Yay! I'm actually excited about next season, I can see this team building something and maybe with a few additions?

What a great game,both teams really going for it shame there had to be a loser.

Hard to pick a MOM Toops, Harry Wells, Darryl and Jake were all outstanding today.

Well done boys, bring on Bristol.

Actually I think I'd give it to Skip kicked 7 out 7 and a try. Top man.

What a cracking game! Glad we managed to hang on at the end. Lots of great performances but I agree Pritch's kicking was vital. WELL DONE YOU BLUES !!!