CORNISH Pirates joint head coach Gavin Cattle insisted there were ‘plenty of positives’ to take from his side’s pre-season friendly victory over Redruth at the Recreation Ground.

The Championship outfit were worthy winners, scoring ten tries in their 64-7 success, but Cattle knows bigger tests lie in wait, starting with this Friday’s visit of Bedford Blues to the Mennaye Field.

Cattle said: “Firstly, many thanks to Redruth for hosting the match,” said Cattle. “In the first half, I thought we looked pretty lively. As can be expected in a first match of the season, I thought some passes didn’t go to hand, which would be disappointing in a Championship game, but there were also a lot of pleasing aspects.

“I thought Harry Yates looked powerful, Charlie Rice was physical and our new players featured really well. As I said, we appeared able and organised, but the true litmus test will be on Friday against Bedford, when the physicality will inevitable be at a different level.”

After a minute’s applause before kick-off in memory of popular Redruth and Pirates stalwart, Richard Eddy, it was the visitors who were quickly into their attacking groove, winger Arthur Relton dashing over in ‘Piggy Lane’ corner for their opening score, which was converted by Arwel Robson.

Further tries flowed for the Pirates, the first of which came from Aussie debutant Rory Suttor, before Robson got in on the act himself, adding a third, which he was also able to convert for a 19-0 lead.

Not surprisingly, the ever-willing Reds were finding it difficult to combat the raw power of the Pirates, this typified by centre Yates and bustling back-row forward Tomiwa Agbongbon, who deservedly added a fourth score.

There was to be no let up from the Pirates as the gamed edged towards the break. Skipper Dan Hiscocks darted in for another score, quickly followed by winger Ben Cambriani on his debut. Robson’s conversions helped take the score to 38-0 at the turn.

As expected, a flurry of replacements were introduced for the second period from both sides, but it was the Pirates who extended their advantage, hooker Morgan Nelson rumbling over for their latest score.

A yellow card for Pirates prop Alessandro Heaney gave Redruth the numerical advantage – and they duly made it pay – when lock Jamin Prisk crashed over at the posts for a try converted by fly-half Dean Wills.

To their credit, the Reds were certainly more in the game than in the first half, however it wasn’t long before the visitors were back scoring again.

Yates found his way over for a quickfire brace, both converted by Louie Sinclair, before Relton completed the afternoon’s proceedings, racing over for his side’s tenth try of the contest. Sinclair duly converted to wrap up proceedings.

With Bedford next up for the Pirates, they then continue their pre-season with a clash against an Exeter Chiefs XV on September 12, before kicking off their Champ season at home to Hartpury on Saturday, October 4 (2.30pm).

Cornish Pirates: I Price-Thomas; B Cambriani, C Ribbons, H Yates, A Relton; A Robson, D Hiscocks (capt); B Young, M Nelson, A Petch; C Rice, J King; R Suttor, B Elderkin, T Agbongbon. Replacements (used): M Pritchard, A Heaney, O Andrews, M Hallam, M Cannon, W Rigelsford, L Sinclair, J Elderkin, M Ward.