ROB Elloway said he was immensely proud to feature for the 200th time for the Cornish Pirates - despite the landmark game ending in defeat.

The 31-year-old hooker was given the honour of leading out the Pirates for their Greene King IPA Championship clash with Rotherham on Sunday at the Mennaye.

Disappointingly the game ended in a 26-24 loss for the home side, but Elloway said it did not put too much of a dampener on his special day.

Elloway said: "I am chuffed to bits to have played 200 times for the side.

"It is a good club to be a part of and has been a massive part of my life and I was so pleased that my family and friends were here to watch."

After spending four years with Aviva Premiership side Gloucester, where he won the European Challenge Cup in 2006, Elloway joined the Pirates in 2007.

He has since gone onto twice represent Germany, the country where he was born on a British Army base, having previously played in the England Under 18s side.

Last season Elloway spent time with Premiership outfit London Welsh on a short term loan deal and the hooker said he enjoyed his time there, but was pleased to come home.

"This is my ninth year here and it was nice to have another go in the Premiership with Welsh, although it was tough with results never going our way," he said.

"I was glad to return to the Mennaye though after the loan finished as I feel like this is where I belong."

Looking ahead to this season, Elloway believes the current crop of Pirates have the right materials to become a hit on the field.

"I am pretty excited by the whole group," Elloway explained.

"Right from the coaching staff to the young guys in the Player Development Foundation, it is a really good group who will do well is they stay tight and focused."