THE Cornish Pirates put their away-day misery
of the past fortnight firmly behind them as they returned to winning ways with
this hard-fought victory over Coventry at Kenwyn.
Reverses against
Harlequins in the league, then Plymouth Albion in the Powergen Trophy had left
the Duchy outfit licking their wounds. However, they responded in fine fashion
with a workmanlike performance that ensured their unbeaten home record remained
intact.
Coach Jim McKay had made four changes to his starting line-up
from that which lost at the Brickfields the week previous. In the pack prop Nick
Adams and No.8 Matt Evans both started, while behind Tom Barlow was recalled at
fly-half with Matt Jess also promoted from the bench following Jon Pritchard’s
return to Bristol.
Despite the reshuffle it did little to deter the
Pirates, who raced out of the traps with a storming opening that brought about
a catch-and-drive try for Will James after just four minutes.
Sadly
it proved a false dawn, even though Coventry's Henno Venter was sin-binned just
two minutes later for a blatant trip on Pirates scrum-half Gavin Cattle as he
went to take a quick tap penalty.
Despite the numerical advantage,
the Pirates were unable to find a way through the visiting rearguard which, did
remarkably well to keep out Jess on 15 minutes following good approach work from
Wes Davies and Duncan Roke.
Although the Pirates continued to dominate upfront
and in terms on possession, Coventry continued to thwart the home side’s advances
with some resolute defence. All the hosts could muster was a Tom Barlow penalty
on 18 minutes which made the score 8-0.
That was about as good as
it got for the remainder of the opening half, which then transcended into a mundane,
stop-start affair in which whistle-happy referee Gareth Copsey took centre stage.
Coventry had the chance to cut the deficit two minutes before the
break, but winger James Moore saw his effort sail wide of the left upright.
The legendary Falmouth Marine Band - making their first appearance at Kenwyn
- attempted to lift the crowd from their slumber with another virtuoso performance.
That certainly worked off the field, although on the field it was another dogged
affair after the restart. Fly-half Dave Harvey finally posted Coventry's first
points with a penalty on 47 minutes.
The game continued to disappoint
as both sides struggled to get hold of a ball that in the end resembled a soap
bar. However, it was the Pirates who looked the more threatening and they got
their just rewards with a second try ten minutes from time.
Rejecting
two kickable penalty chances, Barlow opted for the corner once more and it was
from the resulting line-out that Samoan international Iva Motusaga was driven
over by his fellow forward and the occasional back. Barlow converted to make it
15-3.
Coventry, to their credit, refused to lie down and they got
rewarded for their efforts when replacement Hendry Rheeders dived over for a late
consolation score. Harvey converted to ensure they returned home with at least
a bonus point.
Cornish Pirates 15
Tries - W James, Motusaga;
Conversion - Barlow; Penalty - Barlow
Coventry10
Try - Rheeders; Conversion
- Harvey; Penalty - Harvey
Pirates: W Davies; R Welding, D Roke, K James,
M Jess; T Barlow, G Cattle (capt); A Paver, N Makin (V Ma'asi 67), N Adams (D
Parkes 67); W James, J Beardshaw (H Senekal 74); S Hockings, I Motusaga, M Evans.
Replacements (not used): D Seal, S Betty, N Chivers, L Jarvis.
Yellow Card:
Motusaga
Coventry: S Booth; K Jackson, A Stewart, R Davies, J Moore (D Tiueti
40); D Harvey, C McGrath; K Pulu, R Protherough, N Trestow (P Bucknall 71); D
Campton, B Gulliver (capt); T Johnson (H Reeders 75), M Buckingham, H Venter.
Replacements (not used): R Chrystie, K Geraghty, M Pale, R Brits.
Yellow
Card: Venter.
Referee: G Copsey (RFU).
