THE Cornish Pirates withstood a nervy final
few minutes to preserve their unbeaten start to the season against league newcomers
Newbury at Monks Lane .
Having opened their campaign with a 40-20
victory at Doncaster, the Pirates were given a much sterner examination by their
Berkshire hosts, who stunned the visitors with a lively opening in which they
built up a 14-0 lead inside as many minutes.
Even at the end Newbury
- who were skippered by Cornishman Malcolm Roberts - had their chance to snatch
a last-gasp victory, thankfully for the Pirates Blair Feeney's touchline conversion
sailed wide of the uprights and the visitors were spared some early season blushes.
In the end, the Pirates greater control - particularly up front -
won them the game, but with Rotherham next on the agenda, coach Jim McKay has
plenty to work on ahead of the visit of the Yorkshiremen.
However,
despite a bright opening to the game, it was Newbury who broke the game's deadlock
on eight minutes, winger Kenny Bingham linked with Roberts, whose chip over the
top of Wes Davies allowed Fijian flanker Isoa Damu Damu to win the race to the
loose ball.
Feeney converted that score before adding the extras
to Newbury's second try three minutes later. Some slack defending in the Pirates
midfield allowed Roberts to break the line, he passed to Damu Damu, who in turn
fed Duncan Bell to ghost in from 10 metres out.
The Pirates were
in need of a pick-me-up and it duly arrived courtesy of the boot of Welsh fly-half
Lee Jarvis. He slotted over a penalty on 16 minutes, only for Feeney to restore
Newbury's 14-point buffer straight from the restart.
Things were
clearly not going to plan for the Cornish side, but as the half wore on, so they
got stronger. A good break from debutant Shaun James created the opening which
allowed winger Richard Welding in for his third try of the season, converted by
Jarvis.
Then three minutes later good work down the left flank involving
Matt Jess and Wes Davies saw the ball moved across the Pirates back division to
Welding, who in turn fed James to score, Jarvis converting to make it 17-17.
A second Jarvis penalty on the stroke of half-time gave the Pirates the
lead for the first time in the match, only for Newbury to hit back with a second
Feeney penalty, given this time for Tim Cowley handling in the ruck.
The
half-time score was probably a fair reflection on the opening half, but it was
the Pirates who were first to show after the restart. Jarvis failed with a penalty
shot wide out, then he saw an audacious drop-goal chance from halfway sail well
wide.
However, when Newbury lost winger Bingham to the sin-bin on
54 minutes, Jarvis punished the winger's indiscretion with a third penalty to
restore the visitors lead.
Replacements flowed for both sides, particularly
the Pirates who lost all-action flanker Iva Motusaga with a groin injury, but
when Newbury's Martin Nutt became the second home player to go to the sin-bin,
replacement Tom Barlow was on hand to make it 26-20 to the Pirates.
With
time fast running out for Newbury they launched a late attacking assault, the
move paying dividends as quick ball allowed Damu Damu over for a second try in
the left-hand corner and leave just a point in it.
Up stepped Feeney
for the touchline conversion which, if he landed, would have spelt defeat for
the Pirates. However, he was unable to plunder the touchline effort and the Pirates
were able to escape with the four points.
Newbury 25
Tries
- Damu Damu 2, Bell ; Conversions - Feeney 2; Penalties - Feeney 2
Cornish
Pirates 26
Tries - Welding, S James; Conversions - Jarvis 2; Penalties -
Jarvis 3, Barlow
Newbury: M Roberts (capt); K Bingham, M Ireland,
D Bell, M Nutt; B Feeney, D Smaje; S Carter, G Cooper, N Collins; A Smith (T Radbourne
58), M Styles; I Damu Damu, C Cracknell (R Aiono 78), D Lubans. Replacements (not
used): W Green, P Davis, A Jarvis, R Scothern, S Gully.
Yellow Cards:
Bingham, Nutt
Pirates : W Davies; R Welding, D Roke, S James, M Jess;
L Jarvis (T Barlow 58), M Churcher (R Westren 70); D Parkes, P Ince, N Adams (D
Seal 58); W James, J Beardshaw; J Bearman (capt), I Motusaga (S Betty 44), T Cowley
(M Evans 70). Replacements (not used); N Makin, K James.
Referee:
D Richards (RFU)
