Match Preview: Midlands Hurricanes V Cornwall (HOME)
MIDLANDS HURRICANES v CORNWALL RL
Sunday February 19th 2023
Kick off 3pm
Alexander Stadium B42 2LR
Matchday Sponsor
Last Time Out
The Hurricanes will be hoping to begin their 2023 campaign in the same way they finished 2022, with a home victory against Cornwall .
Tries from both Welham Brothers , Tyler Walton , AJBoardman , Hayden Freeman, Adam Reed and Man of the match Tyler Hepple , plus a 100% from the kicking tee from Ben Stead brought the Midlands win . However the visitors produced a spirited second half showing to give their enthusiastic supporters who had made the long trip North something to cheer and brought the score back to a more respectable 42-26 margin at the end of the 80 minutes .
The Opposition
There was many raised eyebrows throughout rugby league when Cornwall was announced as the League One’s newest venue in November 2021 , a relocation of the Ottawa Aces club that had failed to start a season in British RL .
The appointment of the experienced Neil Kelly as Coach swiftly followed and although the The ‘Choughs’ only managed s solitary victory in their in maiden season they built up a strong following from their home base of Penryn’s Memorial Ground (pulling in over 1500 spectators for their inaugural home fixture - against the Hurricanes ! ) .
For 2023 Mike Abbott has taken over as Head Coach from Kelly , and the locally based Abbott has been busy building a strong squad for 2023 , retaining some stalwarts from last season including Captain Jamie Prisk , giant prop Paul Bolger and Jamaican International Aaron Jones Bishop aa well adding plenty of new faces such Australian half back Cam Brown , Royal Air Force Winger Nick Slaney and prop George Mitchell who has made the cross code switch from Penryn Rugby Union Club .
Foot in Both Camps
Hurricanes Jacob Beer was a regular in the Cornwall line up after signing from Hunslet last July .
For those with longer memories Chough’s Turkish international winger Errol Carter regularly featured for Bears / Hurricanes in season 2018 .
The Referee
Kevin Moore - A regular face who has refereed at League one Level since 2017 .
From the Sheds
‘It’s a big occasion on Sunday with it being a new ground and a chance for the fans to see the new look squad. We have had a really good week of training and have added some quality from Castleford which will really offer us some threat. I want the lads to put on a professional performance but also not let the occasion get to them. Cornwall has recruited really well and have loads of potential. They will have taken massive strides since last year and will offer a real threat.’
Richard Squires - Hurricanes Head Coach
Team News
The Venue
On a momentous afternoon Hurricanes will make their debut at their new home , Birmingham's iconic Alexander Stadium - venue for the 2022 Commonwealth Games .
With work on the Stadium field still ongoing post Games , Hurricanes will begin 2023 using the warm up pitch directly adjacent to the main arena .
Entry is via the main entrance and park in the designated car park.Entrance to the ground is to the side of the High Performance Centre.
Full stadium /match day information / ground regs / travel directions & maps can be found here
Admission Prices:
On sale here or on the gate
Adult £15 Concession £10 Child £5
Season Card Cyclone Membership to the Hurricanes (available game days)
Full Season ticket £100
Please note that we are a cashless venue - cards only please
Match Coverage
The match will be streamed live on the ‘The Sportsman ‘ sports channel.
Full match updates on Hurricanes social media channels.
Main Match Sponsor
Midlands Hurricanes welcome our Matchday Sponsor for the game
Retail Fixture Procurement Ltd (RFP) manages and procures the supply of store fixtures and visual merchandising for retailers and its associated suppliers and prides itself on not only its ability to create & design from initial concepts, but to source, procure and manufacture products from its worldwide supply base.