Cornish Pirates bring in two useful recruits

Ben Mercer and Lewis Vinnicombe have come to the aid of Cornish Pirates.

Mercer, a 25-year-old wing or centre, has represented Plymouth Albion in the past. He was their top try scorer in 2009-10 and has also been on the books of Bath and Bristol plus, while studying at Newcastle University, Newcastle Falcons and Blaydon.

"Ben Mercer is a player who impressed when playing against the Pirates," the Cornish club's chief executive, Rod Coward, said.

"He will add strength and depth to our squad and I'm delighted that he's agreed to return to the UK to join us."

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Mercer, who has recently been playing and coaching in Sydney, Australia, will link up with the Pirates' squad at the start of October.

Unlike Mercer, Vinnicombe will be in Penzance in time for the Pirates' daunting Championship home game versus Newcastle Falcons tomorrow at Mennaye Field, after being borrowed from Redruth for this weekend's match.

A former Pirates' player, Vinnicombe will be on the bench against the Tyneside team.

The Pirates were in need of reinforcements, due to injury and unavailability problems. Matt Evans, Kyle Marriott and Grant Pointer are among the absentees at Mennaye Field. Prop Ben Prescott has gone to Scotland to attend the imminent birth of his twins.

Aaron Penberthy will make his first start of the season for the Pirates at fly-half, while Chris Morgan will make his first start since May and Phil Burgess will lead out the home side tomorrow. Junior Fatialofa and Alan Paver have been declared fit to play.

Cornish Pirates: Hallett; Bedford, Riley, Fatialofa, Davies; Penberthy, Kessell; Storer, Elloway, Paver; Lyons, Johnson; Morgan, Burgess (capt), B Maidment. Replacements: Andrew, Semmens, Joyce, Barry, Cattle, Cheeseman, Vinnicombe.