CORNISH Pirates coach Jim McKay was full of
praise for his side after they claimed a dramatic injury-time win over National
One rivals Plymouth Albion at Kenwyn on Sunday.
A converted try
from winger Kevin James seven minutes into injury time secured a 29-28 victory
for the third-placed Pirates, who remain on course for their best-ever finish
in the National Leagues.
“I’m
very, very pleased,” said McKay at the final whistle. “I was very proud of the
guys, they have been through a lot this year.
“I was really pleased
with our endeavour and the way we really backed ourselves with a style of rugby
today. The way we approached the game and how we attacked was outstanding. Our
mission now has to be to keep getting better at it.”
First half tries
from Matt Evans and Joe Bearman had helped put the Pirates in command, before
Albion hit back strongly. However, a superb try from Rhodri McAtee and James’
late effort ensured it was a happy day at the office for the Cornish club.
McKay
added: “The first half-hour was some of the best rugby I’ve seen from us – and
I thought Rhodri’s try was one of the best I’ve seen. We started that in the corner
of our own half and it summed up everything we wanted to try and put together
in this game.
“The forwards also did very well. To score a good catch-and-drive
and a little pick-and-go at the end was very pleasing. Those things don’t just
happen, that has been a good three or four month process to get those two things
right like that.”
The Australian, however, was quick to praise the part
Albion played in a pulsating encounter. He said: “Full credit to Plymouth – I
thought they were very good and really played their part.”
Opposite
number Graham Dawe admitted he was frustrated by his side’s late loss. He said:
“It’s a bit of deja vu after Otley, it doesn’t go down too well in the dressing
room, does it? It doesn’t go too well for the club and, most importantly, league
position, but you have to accept it, I guess,
“There were some good
parts to our play, but there were a couple of lapses on D [defence] as well. There
were some good parts in both attack and defence for us, but ultimately it is a
W [win] for them.”
