Under 10s season 2006/07

"Pirates U10's proudly show off their new shirts generously donated by Trelawny Citroen."

Pirates U10's - Awards Evening, 2006-07

At the minis award evening held on May 4th, the following awards were made:

• Best Sportsman - Aidan White
• Best Tackler - Michael Durbin
• Most Improved - James Stacey
• Top Try Scorer - Max Berryman
• Players Player - Henry Monk

Training awards

Awards for consistent attendance at training were given to Matthew Dale, Dylan Williams (both achieving 100% attendance!), Elliott Nicholls (over 90%), James Stacey, Connor Bick (both over 80%), Jake Carley (over 70%), Max Berryman and Aidan White (with over 60% attendance).

Head Coach, Sean Hickman, thanked the mini/junior committee for their hard work in ensuring training, fixtures and festivals ran smoothly, the parents for getting the team to training and matches and overall support as well as Martin Murrish of Trelawny Citroen, Penzance who kindly sponsored the team's new shirts for this season

Season Results

Played 13 Won 7 Drawn 1 Lost 5 For52 Against 33 Diff+19

Newbury Festival 2007 - Fund Raising

On Saturday January 27th, the Pirates U10s completed their sponsored Cycle to Newbury challenge.

This was to raise funds for them to participate in Newbury RFCs Mini Rugby Festival on April 22nd.

The distance to Newbury is 240 miles and the squad, coaches and a number of parents covered this amazing distance between them on static turbo trainers.

Special thanks should go to head coach Sean Hickman who completed 3 hours of solid cycling well done Sean!

The team would also like to thank Dan at Halfords, Penzance for the loan of a cycle and turbo trainer, Steve at Cycle Logic, Helston for the loan of a turbo trainer and the several other individuals who generously leant their turbo trainers.

Early indications are that the event will have raised sufficient funds to allow the team to go to the festival. Team members and parents are urged to collect their sponsorship money as soon as possible."

Under 10s Match Reports

Pirates 30 - Ivybridge 10
March 25th, 2007

Pirates welcomed Ivybridge to the Mennaye as part of the latter's 'Blackbeard' tour to western Cornwall. The U10's, not wishing to be outdone by the Cornish Pirates or Mount's Bay, 'repelled all boarders', running out 30 - 10 winners over the visiting U10's.

Having conceded a very early try to a straight run down the wing, the Pirates, undoubtedly hungry for a really competitive game after several weeks of inaction, really took hold of the game not allowing any penetration of their defence by some undoubtedly very talented Ivybridge runners. The Pirates gradually worked up impetus, Max Berryman holding off tacklers to even the score. With a few forced alterations in line up due to illnesses and family commitments, new comers Charlie Boon and John Tyler very quickly established themselves making strong contributions in the backs.

In the second half, Pirates scrum half Dylan Williams made several strong breaks, but being stopped just short of the line was twice driven over by immense forward drives for 2 go ahead tries. The Pirates then had to soak up considerable pressure from Ivybridge who were clearly not used to be 2 tries behind. Ivybridge tried to move the ball wide to outflank the impenetrable Pirates forwards only to be met by Henry Monk and Michael Durbin's determined defence. A late turnover gave Max Berryman a further Pirate try, with Ivybridge claiming a deserved second try late in the half.

In order to accommodate the larger Ivybridge numbers a third 'half' was played with debutante John Tyler, playing at hooker, capping a very impressive debut with two 'ducking and weaving' tries to further extend the Pirates lead.

Try scorers: Max Berryman - 2, Dylan Williams - 2, John Tyler - 2

Pirates 25 - Penryn 5
February 25th, 2007

The U10's started slowly in very heavy conditions against a Penryn side considerably improved since they last met in November. Playing 3 periods of 10 minutes, Penryn held the Pirates to a solitary try from Max Berryman in the first period. Characteristically slow to really get into their game, the Pirates did start to put together some good handling in testing conditions. When they did get the ball out, Reuben Mzera dragged in defenders resulting in space out wide that was exploited by the pace of Jake Carley, Elliott Nicholls Dylan Williams, Callum Groves and Michael Durbin.

The forwards of Max Berryman, Matt Dale, Connor Bick and James Stacey worked hard for each other and times put in some strong drives, especially when needed to relieve pressure on their line. Often picking and driving, slick hands maintained forward momentum giving their backs good quick ball.

The team showed good handling skills to retain possession and make quick strikes through a flat Penryn defensive line to score 4 further tries. The opposition worked tirelessly and were rewarded when a jinking run penetrated the Pirates defence for a well justified try.

Max Berryman - 2 / Dylan Williams - 2 / Matt Dale - 1

Wadebridge 10 - Pirates 10
February 18th, 2007

The U10's travelled with a squad of 10 to meet a significantly larger Wadebridge squad of 17. Having agreed to potentially play 4 periods of 10 minutes each Wadebridge got off to an excellent start with two early tries.

These resulted from the fact that the Pirates have had very little training or game time of late due to the poor weather and were very slow to get into the match.

However, credit must go to a vastly improved Wadebridge side that the Pirates had beaten relatively easily last season. Their forwards got to the breakdown in numbers, driving the Pirates off the ball to gain possession and two first half tries.

In the second half the Pirates started to show the resolve gained from heartening performances against Redruth and Newquay and put together a degree of continuity.

The first come back try was scored by scrum half Dylan Williams who ripped the ball out of a maul and sprinted 15 metres to touch down. With full time approaching, Max Berryman charged down the wing for three-quarters of the pitch to score the equalising try.

Given Wadebridge's squad numbers the Pirates gamely agreed to play two additional 10 minute periods in very heavy underfoot conditions.

The Wadebridge coach had advised that many of the remaining players had little game experience and the Pirates rather overwhelmed them in the second game putting together rather more characteristic supporting running plays to cross for several unanswered tries.

Pirates U10s 15 Newquay Hornets U10s 25
Sunday 28th. January, 2007

In a thoroughly entertaining, but hard fought contest, the Pirates pushed the current County Cup holders hard, the visitors only securing victory with two late tries.

Delighted to field a near full strength team, the tackling was improved and the forwards put in a huge effort to provide quality ball, used to good effect by centres Rueben Mzera and Henry Monk . The pair linked well with wings Dylan Williams and Michael Durbin who regularly made yardage.

Tries for the Pirates were scored by Max Berryman, Connor Bick and Dylan Williams.

Penryn U10s 10 - Pirates U10s 40
26th. November, 2006

The Pirates U10s travelled to meet a determined and skilled Penryn side.

However, returning to their characteristic open style of play, the Pirates came away with a well deserved victory.

Try scorers - Max Berryman (2), Jake Carley, Elliott Nicholls, Michael May, Alastair Gwennap, Connor Bick, Matthew Dale.

Under 10's Truro, Away - November 12th, 2006

Truro 15 - Pirates 45

The Pirates travelled to meet an enthusiastic Truro side, but soon had 4 tries on the board. P

ressure towards the end of the first half saw 2 further tries. The Pirates made several changes at half-time resulting in an improved game of rugby with excellent back line interchanges between James Stacey and Callum Groves. Forwards Brad Morris and Aidan White both made determined charges up field. In a more evenly matched second half both sides scored 3 times, Henry Monk scoring for the first time this season.

Try scorers

Max Berryman - 4
Jake Carley - 3
Elliott Nichols - 1
Henry Monk - 1

Under 10's Abbercrave, Home - October 29th, 2006

Pirates 30 - Abbercrave 10

A friendly encounter with a touring side from South Wales got under way once the coaches had sorted out the differences in play. At under 10, the Welsh play 10 a side with 2 second rows and a full back, but uncontested scrum and line-outs. As this was an unknown format to the Pirates, it was agreed to play 9 a side, without second rows and full back and with uncontested scrums and line-outs.

The Pirates were typically aggressive in the tackle and at the breakdown and Max Berryman soon galloped over to open the scoring. Despite tackling well and there being a lot of loose ball, the Pirates at times seemed reluctant to grab the ball and the visitors moved the ball out well, but there was always a covering Pirates tackler. The first half saw 3 further tries from Max.

With a 4 try lead, replacements and new comers Brad Morris, Alastair Gwennap, Callum Graves and James Stacey came on and all gave a very good account of themselves. Brad, playing at prop, picked up and drove the ball on extremely well, Alastair and Callum tackled very well and James made good ground with several determined runs.

Matt Dale, playing at hooker put in a good looping run to extend the Pirates lead further before Jake Carley managed a quick pick up close to the line to dart over for the sixth try.

The Pirates relaxed a little, having worked superbly hard to that point, but a lapse in concentration allowed the visitors to work a quick penalty and cross for a score. Abbercrave's winger pulled back a further try, but by then the Pirates had done their job and deserved to win by 6 tries to 2.

Prop, Max Berryman, has shot back to the top of the try scorers list with a total of 4, but close behind is hooker Matt Dale with 3.

Under 10's Redruth, Away - October 15th, 2006

Pirates 10 - Redruth 5

In a very physical, but challenging encounter, the Pirates just edged the result by 2 tries to 1. Redruth provided skilful opposition with some excellent scrummaging, but resolute defence from the Pirates combined with excellent ball winning in the loose gave them sufficient possession to score 2 good tries by fly-half Elliott Nichols and hooker Matt Dale. Redruth's powerful forwards were able to crash over from a penalty to pull one back mid-way through the second half.

In a second fixture the Pirates lost by a single try, but again showed impressive commitment in all areas of play.

Pirates 5 Launceston 10
1st october

Playing against probably their toughest opposition from last year, the Pirates found themselves 2 tries down within minutes of the start. However, the teamwork so evident at the end of last season, soon prevailed.

The Pirates made some excellent tackles, winning a great deal of the resultant loose ball. Last seasons Players Player, Reuben Mzera, made a strong run for the line, shrugging off several tackles to pull one back for the home side.

In a second fixture the Pirates won by 2 tries to nil, the Pirates tries being scored by Connor Bick and Matthew Dale.

Mini & Junior Rugby

On the Mennaye Nurseries Under 7's to Under 11's 4.30 - 5.30pm
Old and new players welcome.
For more information contact Nick Brooks on 01736 360144