The game [against Leeds]was incredibly physical with big hits going in all over the place. This took its toll as unfortunately we just didn't have enough to get over at the end of the game, losing by the narrowest of margins.

It came as a bit of a surprise when I was asked to write this column as props are not really renowned for their intellectual abilities!

Rest assured though, I will do my best to give you my unique insight into the day-to-day dealings of the Pirates.

As you can imagine this week has been quite intense leading up to what many people thought would be our toughest test so far. Subsequently the training has reflected the task ahead.

Normally in the run up to games like this everybody concentrates without prompting and training almost takes itself.

Unfortunately this week we all had to try and look past the ridiculous ginger moustache sported by our backs/attack coach Brett Davey!

This was due to the squad's participation in 'Movember'.

For those of you that don't know 'Movember' is fund raising and awareness exercise for prostate and testicular cancer. This manifests itself in the growing of moustaches for the entire month of November.

On a lighter note, this week should have signalled the arrival of two new Pirates. As with our summer arrivals, only one arrived on time!

One of the local boys in the squad, Sam Heard's partner Mary gave birth to a healthy baby boy. Fortunately, he was neither as big or as hairy as his father. All the squad wish their family the best of luck for the future.

Now to our late arrival. Heino Senekal, our Namibian international lock and his partner Laurence were expecting their first child to arrive this week.

Unfortunately for Laurence and subsequently for me their bundle of joy was not to arrive!

Various jokes about the baby being taller than me when it eventually arrives are prominent, along with the quite obvious and boring 'more hair' banter Alan Paver

I say unfortunately for me because the banter in our changing room is mostly in my direction.

Various jokes about the baby being taller than me when it eventually arrives are prominent, along with the quite obvious and boring 'more hair' banter!

Anyway, poor banter aside, I think Laurence is being induced today so this time next week I will hopefully be congratulating two more proud parents.

Now to Sunday's game against National One leaders Leeds, and what a game it was.

It is fair to say we could not have got off to a worse start.

Being 12-0 down after five minutes was not what we had planned, or what I would think the supporters paid to see.

Fortunately we were able to regroup and pull together and start the scoreboard ticking in the right direction.

Once we found our feet in the game we started to apply some real pressure down the slope, as you can only do at Camborne!

Whilst Leeds were able in part to soak up a lot of the pressure, they inevitably began to concede penalties and infringe.

As the scoreboard began to tick over in our favour their numbers dropped through two yellow cards for persistent infringement and going into half time there was still all to play for.

Alan gets stuck in against Leeds, but the Pirates fell just short of the win

The start of the second half was a lot more even than the first.

The game was incredibly physical with big hits going in all over the place.

This took its toll and unfortunately we just did not have enough to get over at the end of the game, losing by the narrowest of margins.

This weekend brings Sedgley Park to Camborne Rec.

They are always a tough side to play and I'm sure they won't want to come all this way just to make up the numbers.

I am sure though, if we put in a similar performance to Sunday (minus the first five minutes) we will be successful.

Thanks for reading my first offering, hopefully you'll want to read next week as well, where we should have a new baby and victory against Sedgley to celebrate.

Grind On,

Paves.

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