Latest news with #CornishPirates
BBC News
2 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Cornish Pirates finish fourth after thrilling Nottingham win
Cornish Pirates overcame a 13-point half-time deficit to beat Nottingham 35-34 and finish fourth in the were helped by some wayward kicking from the visitors, who missed four conversions and three penalties in the clash at the Mennaye. Nottingham had a bonus point secured within 22 minutes as David Williams went over twice alongside tries from Harry Graham and Ryan Olowofela to put them 20-7 ahead as Matt Pritchard replied for the hosts. Chester Ribbons' try reduced the gap only for Jay Ecclesfield to go over soon after as Nottingham led 27-14 at the extended their advantage to 34-14 soon after the restart thanks to a try from a driving maul before the hosts came back. Milo Hallam, Harry Yates and Harry Hocking all crossed in a seven-minute spell to put Pirates ahead before a scoreless final 20 minutes. "We probably didn't deserve that one," Pirates joint-head coach Gavin Cattle told BBC Radio Cornwall. "I think the rugby gods were on our side a little bit and they left a lot of kicking points out there. "But then you look at first half and second half and it was night and day."We had a bit more energy about us, we looked a bit too pretty in that first half by playing a bit of structured stuff, rather than going back to the fundamental of winning collisions, winning the one on ones and that was the message at half time - we were looking for the perfect picture, let's take somebody on one on one and things will happen."
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Long-serving winger Wedlake to leave Cornish Pirates
Cornish Pirates winger Robin Wedlake is to leave the club at the end of the 30-year-old has scored 46 tries in 120 appearances during two spells at the Mennaye. The former Plymouth Albion player left the club in the summer of 2023 to join then-Championship champions Jersey Reds, but re-joined Pirates later that year after the island side folded "After seven incredible seasons with the Cornish Pirates, I've made the difficult decision to move on and embrace a new chapter in my life and career," Wedlake told the club website. "Representing this club has been a great privilege – both on and off the field."I'm immensely proud of what we've achieved over the years and deeply grateful to both Gavin (Cattle) and Alan (Paver), staff, team-mates, and most of all, the supporters, who have made my time in Penzance so special. "The passion and unwavering support of the Pirates family will always stay with me."Joint head coach Gavin Cattle said: "Robin has been a very good servant to the club who, as a big and athletic physical specimen, has scored some outstanding tries in a Pirates shirt."Also, a good man off the field, we sincerely thank him for his contributions." The news comes as young Cornish forwards Milo Hallam and Barnaby Elderkin have both agreed deals to stay at the club next has played twice this season while Elderkin made his debut in the Premiership Rugby Cup.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Cornish Pirates sign Gloucester winger Ward
Cornish Pirates have signed Gloucester winger Matty Ward for the 2025-26 season. The 23-year-old comes in as Matt McNab leaves the club after two years to join Champ Rugby rivals Doncaster Knights. Ward scored a try on his only Gloucester appearance this season in the Premiership Rugby Cup. He has also spent time at Championship side Hartpury and Premiership outfit Newcastle Falcons. "Matty has had exposure with Gloucester in the Premiership Cup and has also had a good season with Hartpury University in the British Universities and Colleges Sport competition," said Pirates joint-head coach Gavin Cattle. "He is a player still with a lot of growth in his game, and although injuries have been disruptive at times he has a good season behind him." Meanwhile, 26-year-old Zimbabwe international McNab leaves the club having scored 30 tries in 51 appearances since moving to Penzance two years ago. He had previously spent time at Hartpury and Worcester Warriors and also played in South Africa's Currie Cup for the Zimbabwe Goshawks. "Since arriving at the Pirates, Matt immediately showed his strength and ability and a real commitment both on and off the pitch," Cattle said. "He is a big personality who will be missed massively, and we would like to thank him for his quite considerable overall contribution." McNab added: "It has been the best two years of my rugby career so far, and I have loved every single minute. "I can't thank everyone at the Pirates enough for what they have done for me along the journey. It's been amazing for my development on the field and in my day-to-day life off it." Cornish Pirates
BBC News
5 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Cornish Pirates McNab to make Doncaster move
Cornish Pirates winger Matt McNab will join Champ Rugby rivals Doncaster Knights in the 26-year-old Zimbabwe international has scored 30 tries in 51 appearances since moving to the Penzance-based club two years ago. He had previously spent time at Hartpury and Worcester Warriors and also played in South Africa's Currie Cup for the Zimbabwe Goshawks."Since arriving at the Pirates, Matt immediately showed his strength and ability and a real commitment both on and off the pitch," said Pirates joint-head coach Gavin Cattle."He is a big personality who will be missed massively, and we would like to thank him for his quite considerable overall contribution."McNab added: "It has been the best two years of my rugby career so far, and I have loved every single minute."I can't thank everyone at the Pirates enough for what they have done for me along the journey. It's been amazing for my development on the field and in my day-to-day life off it."
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Cornish Pirates agree deal for Gloucester prop Petch
Cornish Pirates have agreed a deal to sign prop Alfie Petch from Gloucester on a permanent basis for the 2025-26 season. The 25-year-old played three times for the Championship side on loan earlier this season. The former England Under-20s player is in his second spell at the Mennaye, having played 23 times in the 2021-22 season while on loan from Exeter. Since leaving the Devon club in 2022, he has had season-long deals at Northampton, Biarritz and Gloucester. Petch played eight times for the Cherry and Whites this season, featuring in six of their seven Premiership Rugby Cup matches and also facing Vannes and Bayonne in the European Challenge Cup. "It's cracking news that Alfie has signed for us," said Cornish Pirates joint head coach Alan Paver. "He went away and has done some really good stuff playing in the Premiership either side of a spell in France. "Although still a young man he has acquired considerable experience, and I am sure that someone of his calibre will be beneficial to help bring on the forwards here." Cornwall-born Petch played 16 Premiership games and three Champions Cup games for Northampton in the 2022-23 season before a stint in France's second tier. "Cornwall is my home, so I'm delighted to be back," he said. "I've loved representing this club before and I'm looking forward to doing it again and bringing my experience to the group." Cornish Pirates
