"Phil Westren"
"welcome to camborne"
"Cambron a'gas dynnergh"
"From the moment Dave Ward scored our bonus point providing try here in the British & Irish Cup match against Exeter Chiefs last Sunday, the eagerly awaited countdown to today's encounter against Newport suddenly began."
"Today's welcome Welsh visitors had travelled to Dublin on Friday evening, where they recorded a superb 10-6 points win. It was a victory which took them temporarily to the top of the Pool A table, only for the Pirates to take the spot on points difference less than 48 hours later."
"What it all means, which is something that in all honesty the majority of us will only have dreamed off, is that a winner today will proceed to the semi-finals stage, so a full-blooded and passionately fought cup match contest is guaranteed. Note the important words in the last sentence are 'a winner today', because, as a glance at the Pool A table on page 13 reveals, if the the match is drawn then Leinster can still top the table."
"There'll hopefully be a large crowd present here this afternoon, and one surely swelled with a healthy number of Welsh supporters. Of interest, the semi-finals are scheduled to take place on the weekend of the 24th April, and the final is on the weekend of the 15th May."
"A quick look at the archives reveals that the Pirates appeared to have first played Newport in April, 1949, when the Welsh visitors won 11-3 at the Mennaye Field, Penzance. Returning to the same venue in April, 1974, the 'Black & Ambers' won again, 22-0."
"The Newport club, which is presently 5th in the Principality Building Society Premiership table, is rightfully proud of its achievements since being founded way back in 1874, contributing both to the game in Wales and worldwide. Indeed, the list of Newport players who have played international rugby has been described as being 'a cavalcade of rugby greatness', with names such as Ken Jones, Bryn Meredith, Malcolm Thomas, Brian Price, Keith Jarrett, Stuart Watkins and the great Dai Watkins rolling off the tongue. Over 20 Welsh captains played for Newport, and a total of 31 former players have represented the British Lions."
"During the club's history, Newport have beaten South Africa (twice), Australia, New Zealand and Tonga, with their win against the 'All Blacks' the most memorable back in 1963 when they were the only team to beat the mighty touring side."
"It is hoped the weather has been kind during the build up to this match, and that our St. Piran's Festival has been both enjoyable and successful. Thanks are also expressed tc everyone who has contributed to the event."
"We also have two special guests here today, namely June and David Watkins. 'Dai', who is the President of Newport, is also, of course, a legendary Welsh fly-half who had the distinction of captaining both the British Lions in two tests in New Zealand in 1966, and then later captaining the Great Britain rugby league team."
"To everyone gathered, enjoy today's occasion, and let rugby be the winner!"
"Rod Coward"
"from the ceo"
"A very warm welcome to the players, supporters and officials of what is without doubt one of the greatest clubs in rugby, Newport RFC. Also a special welcome to our guest of honour today - Dai Watkins."
"When the British & Irish Cup was launched at the beginning of this season I think the general feeling amongst Championship Clubs was that it would be an exciting and new competition with the introduction of Welsh, Irish and Scottish Clubs bringing something extra that had been missing in previous cup competition, the National Trophy."
"I don't think it's turned out quite like that, as some clubs have clearly regarded the Cup as being secondary to The Championship and, consequently, have fielded weakened teams."
"Whether Exeter did that last week is a moot point, but what can't be denied is the Pirates played with commitment and power to ultimately overcome a strong Exeter team and to take our place in today's 'quarter-final' against Newport."
"There is no doubt whatsoever that our visitors today have also taken the competition very seriously indeed and rtheir results show that they are a tough side who will be giving everything to ensure they top Pool A and secure a semi-final place."
"So, there we are; it's winner takes all! I think our last two games at Camborne have shown that the Pirates have the ability to compete with the best and to play with the necessary pace, power and composure to win games."
"It's going to be hard today and no place for the faint hearted, but if we can reproduce that level of commitment and intensity, then I'd like to think there is no reason why we can't be successful."
"At the time of writing the weather forecast was for a sunny, but very cold afternoon with an easterly wind."
"Welcome to Camborne"
"Mark Stevens"
"western morning news"
"When the National Trophy was scrapped at the end of last season and in its place came the new British & Irish Cup, there were some observers out there who questioned the very point of such a competition."
"Well, as we prepare to close off the pool stages this weekend, perhaps some of those very knockers should pay a visit to Camborne for what should be a real firecracker of a contest between the Cornish Pirates and Welsh visitors Newport. With four games played in Pool A so far, it is neck and neck between our very own Pirates and Newport, both of whom have 15 points in the bag. It means victory for either side today and they will be advancing into the last four. However, should the two draw and European champions Leinster claim maximum points against winless Gael Force, then it will be the Irishmen who advance."
"Advancing into the last four, though, is high on the priority list of Pirates coach Chris Stirling and having seen his side see off the challenges of Plymouth Albion, Nottingham and Exeter Chiefs in recent weeks, the Duchy's finest will enter into today's clash brimming with confidence."
"Likewise, Newport have plenty to cheer about and having downed previously unbeaten Leinster on their own turf last weekend, as well as overcoming Rob Baxter's Exeter in their opening Cup fixture at Rodney Parade, it is right that the Pirates be suitably wary about their counterparts from inside the Principality. Just a quick glance at the Newport squad list shows that their head coach Sven Cronk has assembled a talented group of players, all of whom will see overcoming yet more Champuionship opposition as a notable feather in their cap."
"Already this season I've seen Newport in Cup action so - in some respects - I know what is coming from the Welsh Premiership side, who will again be led by their inspirational skipper Andrew Coombs. They are not only a no-nonsense side when it comes to the battle up front, but behind they have a slick set of backs capable of causing problems every time they go on the offensive. The Pirates should therefore take note of these dangers."
"In recent weeks, however, the Pirates have been building some momentum. Their form, I have to say, is similar to that of their National Trophy winning year of 2007 when they had to overcome a number of testing hurdles on their way to success over the Chiefs at Twickenham. Speaking to a number of that Cup winning side in the past week or so, they know just what it means to you the Pirates faithful to be advancing into the latter stages of a competition."
"Days like the one everybody experienced at English Rugby's HQ just a few years ago are certainly ones to savour - and that is why as a collective the Pirates supporters must come together as one this afternoon and roar their team to success."
"Enjoy the game."
"Mark Stevens"
"Sports Editor, Western Morning News"
o - o - o - o - O - O - O - o - o - o - o
The Western Morning News of Monday, 8th March 2010 reported:-
"Pirates into the last four"
"IT was billed pre-match as 'winner takes all' and the Cornish Pirates didn't disappoint as they secured themselves a semi-final spot in this season's British & Irish Cup with a 26-20 victory over visiting Newport."
"Chris Stirling's side extended their winning streak to four games by inflicting a first B&I Cup defeat of the season on the Welshmen who - it has to be said - failed to replicate the form they displayed in previous tussles against the likes of Exeter Chiefs, Plymouth Albion, Leinster and Gael Force."
"From the outset of yesterday's game, the Pirates were keen to lay down a marker and quickly set about their work as they looked to make the most of a howling wind at their backs in the opening period."
"Early pressure brought about a second-minute penalty for the home side, but sadly full-back Rob Cook was unable to land his early shot at the target. However, three minutes later, the Pirates' leading points-scorer had no such trouble hitting the mark as he fired over a much easier effort after the visitors had strayed offside close to their own posts."
"Cook doubled his tally on 17 minutes with another successful penalty, but almost immediately the Black & Ambers countered with their opening points. Irish referee Leo Colgan adjudged home lock Rod Labuschagne as being a 'lazy runner' - and having sent the towering South African to the sin-bin, up stepped Newport fly-half Chris Wannell to make it 6-3."
"Despite being a man down, the Pirates rallied as one and in another surge down field, they positioned themselves in enemy territory where Nick Jackson's fine break created the opening for Gavin Cattle and Jonny Bentley to combine, the latter of which put in Cook for the opening try on 27 minutes."
"Home cheers, however, proved shortlived as straight from the restart Newport regained the ball, working an opening for winger Mike Poole to gallop unopposed down the left flank."
"It was a setback for Stirling's side, but as the half drew to a close the Pirates again positioned themselves nicely for another raid on the Newport line. A series of drives got them to within smelling distance of the line, but as they looked to claw themselves over for a second score, they were denied by a blatant professional foul from visiting prop Dai Pattison. As was the case with Labuschagne earlier, referee Colgan had no hesitation in sending the imposing forward to the cooler for a ten-minute spell."
"Try as they may, the Pirates huffed and puffed with a succession of close-range scrums to extend their lead. However, some streetwise tactics from the visitors, coupled with stout defensive work, repelled the Cornish club and just three points separated the two at the interval."
"With parity restored for the second period, one expected Newport to use the blustery conditions in a bid to put the Pirates on the back foot. They didn't and it was the Duchy's finest who again carried the greater threat on the resumption."
"Cook failed with another penalty chance after a high tackle on Bentley, but he did add the extras to Jackson's score just before the hour mark - the South African diving under the sticks following a sublime chip-and-chase from Bentley."
"Further woe followed for the visitors shortly after when skipper Andrew Coombs became the second player to see yellow, Cook slotting a penalty chance from 20 metres out to make it 21-8. Poole countered with a second score in the left-hand corner, but Kiwi powerhouse Blair Cowan settled home nerves when he barged his way over with ten minutes remaining."
"To their credit, Newport kept up the fight until the death and their efforts were rewarded with a late try for Coombs, which Dan Griffiths converted with the very last kick of the game. By then, however, the Pirates were already sailing into the last four, much to the delight of coach Stirling."
" "I'm absolutely delighted, job done," said Stirling. "If you look at it, today could have been a receipe for disaster. You had the passion of the opposition, the testing conditions, as well as some rather odd officiating at times. "It was all there for us to get frustrated, but we didn't. I thought we showed a lot of composure, especially as we could easily have lost the plot with some of the decisions and the tactics used by the opposition. We just kept playing, we kept our heads and I thought again we showed another level of maturity that I'm really happy with. "Throughout I thought we were totally dominant and there was a real difference between the two teams". "
"Although only three points up at the break, Stirling always felt his side had enough in their locker to prevail at the Rec. He added: "At 11-8, playing up the slope and into the breeze, some teams may have panicked, but we didn't. We spoke about it and I said to the boys that good teams get themselves out of a hole. At that time we were in a little hole, but second half I think they answered that with the control they showed."
" "To be in a semi-final of the Cup is hugely satisfying, not only for the players and us coaches, but also all the supporters. You could see right at the end what it means to everyone". "