Pirates Need to Be on Top of Their Game

Next up for the Cornish Pirates is what has the potential to be a Championship title decider away to Ealing Trailfinders on Saturday (ko 3pm).

Doncaster Knights, who have one more game left to play, presently top the table with 72 points acquired from 19 matches, Ealing Trailfinders are second (70 from 18), and the Cornish Pirates third (69 from 18).

The Pirates won 15-12 against the Trailfinders when the teams met at the Mennaye Field in October, whilst on their last league match visit to the Trailfinders Sports Ground in West Ealing back in September 2018 they lost 41-35.

For a game whereby in reality there is little else to say, as that is something the sides will be keen to express in action on the pitch from 3pm on Saturday, the Pirates side shows five personnel changes to last weekend’s starting line-up. Marlen Walker starts at loose-head prop, whilst fit again duo Danny Cutmore and Antonio Kiri Kiri return at lock and open-side flanker respectively. In the backs there is also a return for winger AJ Cant and Joe Elderkin will partner Tommy Wyatt in the centre.

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s important encounter, Cornish Pirates’ joint head coach Gavin Cattle has commented:

“Obviously we know a big challenge lays in wait on Saturday, where we will be playing on a fast pitch.

“The Trailfinders have a big physical side, though we have shown in our previous fixture that we can match that physicality, or even bettered it and got on the right side of the scoreline. However, to do it on their own patch we would have to be on the top of our game and against a team that are still the league favourites.”

For helpful information reference Ealing Trailfinders, including ticketing, please link to:

http://www.ealingtrailfinders.com/home