Post by Jamie Crawford on Dec 13, 2022 14:43:58 GMT
Cornish Pirates preview
sponsored by Twenty Four IT Services (www.twentyfourit.co.uk)
Round 10, Sunday December 18th, The Mennaye, Penzance, Cornwall. KO 2.30pm.
Last Saturday’s anticipated boost in performance after the Knights’ thrashing in Coventry failed to materialise. The Knights gave it just enough to edge out London Scottish and rise to fifth in the Championship after Nottingham lost at home to Jersey Reds. The Scottish exiles didn’t perform like a team that had only won once in the league this season and lost the other seven games. The question is whether the Knights’ handling errors, infringements or lack of support players made them look better? However, the Scottish exile’s defence was commendable, particularly against the Knight’s maul, usually formidable attacking strength. Time will tell, I expect the Scottish to start winning games.
The most notable accomplishment was Tyson Lewis’ 200th appearance for the Knights, Tyson joins Glen Kenworthy, Dougie Flockhart, Matt Challinor and Richard List as the Knights’ only double centurions. Tyson marked his 200th appearance with a fantastic, try-saving tackle over our own try line from the other side of the pitch.
The Cornish Pirates lost by one point, 15-14 away to eleventh-placed Caldy. They will not be happy with this and the Knights can expect a marked improvement in performance. Last Saturday’s single point win by the Knights and loss by the Pirates sees the Knights rise a place to fifth and the Pirates drop a place to eighth. The Knights have won five and lost four games compared to the Pirates’ won four and lost five. There are seven league points between the teams after the Knights’ won five bonus points compared to the Pirates’ couple. Pirate Hooker Ruaridh Dawson and Centre Shae Tucker dotted down against Caldy; both of these tries were converted by Fly Half Arwel Robson.
Winger Arthur Relton is their leading try-scorer, Winger Callum Sirker and Hooker Max Norey have only scored one try less. The leading five Pirate try scorers are Wingers or Hookers, the Knights need to watch for the ball being shipped out wide to the flying Wingers or a Hooker darting for the try line from behind a set piece.
Despite the Pirate’s seventh place, they have conceded the fourth fewest points at home in the Championship. The Pirate defence remains their key strength, they have conceded the third fewest points in the Championship, just 20 more than Jersey after nine games. Plus the Pirates have conceded just three more tries than Ealing and three less than Jersey (eight fewer than the Knights).
Saturday 17th December
Ampthill (10) v Nottingham (6)
Caldy (11) v Ealing Trailfinders (1)
Jersey Reds (2) v Bedford Blues (4)
Coventry (3) v Richmond (9)
London Scottish (12) v Hartpury RFC (7)
Sunday 18th December
Cornish Pirates (8) v Doncaster Knights (5)
A Knight ‘W’ will see them rise to fourth if Bedford lose, a Knight ‘L’ will see them drop to sixth if Nottingham win and possibly seventh if Hartpury also win with a bonus point.
COYK
DONNY, DONNY, DONNY…
sponsored by Twenty Four IT Services (www.twentyfourit.co.uk)
Round 10, Sunday December 18th, The Mennaye, Penzance, Cornwall. KO 2.30pm.
Last Saturday’s anticipated boost in performance after the Knights’ thrashing in Coventry failed to materialise. The Knights gave it just enough to edge out London Scottish and rise to fifth in the Championship after Nottingham lost at home to Jersey Reds. The Scottish exiles didn’t perform like a team that had only won once in the league this season and lost the other seven games. The question is whether the Knights’ handling errors, infringements or lack of support players made them look better? However, the Scottish exile’s defence was commendable, particularly against the Knight’s maul, usually formidable attacking strength. Time will tell, I expect the Scottish to start winning games.
The most notable accomplishment was Tyson Lewis’ 200th appearance for the Knights, Tyson joins Glen Kenworthy, Dougie Flockhart, Matt Challinor and Richard List as the Knights’ only double centurions. Tyson marked his 200th appearance with a fantastic, try-saving tackle over our own try line from the other side of the pitch.
The Cornish Pirates lost by one point, 15-14 away to eleventh-placed Caldy. They will not be happy with this and the Knights can expect a marked improvement in performance. Last Saturday’s single point win by the Knights and loss by the Pirates sees the Knights rise a place to fifth and the Pirates drop a place to eighth. The Knights have won five and lost four games compared to the Pirates’ won four and lost five. There are seven league points between the teams after the Knights’ won five bonus points compared to the Pirates’ couple. Pirate Hooker Ruaridh Dawson and Centre Shae Tucker dotted down against Caldy; both of these tries were converted by Fly Half Arwel Robson.
Winger Arthur Relton is their leading try-scorer, Winger Callum Sirker and Hooker Max Norey have only scored one try less. The leading five Pirate try scorers are Wingers or Hookers, the Knights need to watch for the ball being shipped out wide to the flying Wingers or a Hooker darting for the try line from behind a set piece.
Despite the Pirate’s seventh place, they have conceded the fourth fewest points at home in the Championship. The Pirate defence remains their key strength, they have conceded the third fewest points in the Championship, just 20 more than Jersey after nine games. Plus the Pirates have conceded just three more tries than Ealing and three less than Jersey (eight fewer than the Knights).
Saturday 17th December
Ampthill (10) v Nottingham (6)
Caldy (11) v Ealing Trailfinders (1)
Jersey Reds (2) v Bedford Blues (4)
Coventry (3) v Richmond (9)
London Scottish (12) v Hartpury RFC (7)
Sunday 18th December
Cornish Pirates (8) v Doncaster Knights (5)
A Knight ‘W’ will see them rise to fourth if Bedford lose, a Knight ‘L’ will see them drop to sixth if Nottingham win and possibly seventh if Hartpury also win with a bonus point.
COYK
DONNY, DONNY, DONNY…
