FOR a second year running the Cornish Pirates faced Guernsey in a pre-season friendly match played at the Footes Lane Stadium in St Peter Port, writes Phil Westren.

The visiting Pirates won 62-8 last August and as expected they also won convincingly this time around, 71-12.

However, the Islanders also deserved due credit, not only for scoring two second half tries but also for being competitive throughout.

Director of rugby Ian Davies was happy with the way his side played, especially as he thought their opponents had upped their game since the last meeting between them.

Davies said: "Our aim was to bring energy to the game and to play at a high tempo, which we did.

"There are still areas to work on, as is always the case, and especially so in pre-season, which is what such games are about."

Guernsey tested the Pirates early on, but two unconverted tries notched by wing Craig Holland and flanker Joe Atkinson saw the visitors go 10 points up.

By half time the score was extended to 24-0 thanks first to a try scored by centre Toby May and then the award of a penalty try.

Fly-half Will Cargill slotted both conversions.

On a fine and balmy evening at Footes Lane, the crowd had very much enjoyed the rugby on offer and in a contest the Pirates were always going to win, they were quick to add to their tally in the second half when replacement centre Tom Hendrickson crossed the whitewash.

A converted score for replacement prop Jack Andrew and a try for Matt Bolwell made it 43-0 before Holland's second dot down helped bring up the half century.

There was, however, considerable credit to the home side, who play their competitive rugby in National League Three London & SE.

With Pirates' player-coach Alan Paver guesting for them, Guernsey found a mini purple patch which saw Anthony Armstrong bag an interception try.

Kyle Moyle and Adam Jamieson hit back for the visitors, but Glen Walters added to the local delight as he dotted down to get the Islanders into double figures.

Proceedings were finished off by Hallett who ran over for a try and added the extras.

PIRATES: 15 Hopkin, 14 Moyle, 13 May, 12 Dancer, 11 Holland, 10 Cargill, 9 Day; 1 Walker, 2 Channon, 3 Deformes, 4 Garratt, 5 Graulich, 6 Atkinson, 7 Cheesman (c), 8 Bolwell.

REPS (all used): Elloway, J Andrew, Jamieson, Morgan, McGlone, Oulton, Pope, Hallett, James, Hendrickson.

TRIES: Holland (2), Atkinson, May, Penalty, Hendrickson, Andrew, Bolwell, Moyle, Jamieson, Hallett.

CONS: Cargill 4/7, Hallett 4/4.