THE Cornish Pirates warmed up for their top-of-the-table
showdown with Harlequins with a workmanlike display against Otley at Kenwyn on
Sunday.
Two tries apiece from Kevin James and Jon Pritchard, plus another
from Duncan Roke ensured Jim McKay's men not only jumped above Bedford into second
spot in National One, but preserved their unbeaten home record.
Having
tasted defeat twice to the Yorkshiremen last season, the Pirates were in no mood
for a repeat performance this year. It took just nine minutes for the home side
to break their duck, in-form winger Kevin James - who scored a hat-trick against
Wharfedale the week previous - powering his way over in the right-hand corner
following some good build-up play involving Iva Motusaga, Richard Welding and
Wes Davies.
Tom Barlow's tough touchline conversion narrowly failed,
but the Pirates fly-half was able to add a penalty on 20 minutes, before adding
the extras to Pritchard's score five minutes before the break.
The
Pirates were bossing proceedings and should have added to their tally in a one-side
opening half. However, it was Otley who reduced the arrears in stoppage time when
fly-half Simon Binns slotted a penalty to make it 15-3 at the turn.
After
the break it was the visitors who opened the more brightly, hooker Mark Luffman
finding his way over from close range - Binns converting - to leave just five
points in it.
Any hopes, however, of a swift response from the visitors
were extinguished within two minutes as Gavin Cattle combined with skipper Joe
Bearman and lock Joe Beardshaw to send Pritchard scampering over for his second
of the afternoon, again converted by Barlow.
Another Barlow penalty
on 56 minutes extended the home side's lead, but for a period McKay's side sat
back and allowed Otley a route back into the game. A host of turnovers and unforced
errors will have left the Pirates coach concerned ahead of this weekend's fixture
at The Stoop, but in reality his side were never in danger of losing this game.
Winger Robin Kitching again cut the deficit when he found his way
over for Otley's second score, again converted by Binns. However, just as they
had done earlier in the half, the Pirates struck back immediately.
A
ruck just on halfway saw Rhodri McAtee feed Welsh compatriot Lee Jarvis, whose
sublime chip kick over the top dropped sweetly into the path of Kevin James, who
despite being halted just outside the Otley 22, was still able to feed the onrushing
Roke to score, Jarvis converting to make it 32-17.
To their credit,
Otley refused to lie down and their efforts were rewarded for a third time, skipper
Glen Wilson burrowing over from close range. But any thoughts of Otley snatching
a dramatic victory - or a bonus point for that matter - were dashed in stoppage
time when quick ball from the hosts released Kevin James to burst down the left
flank and score under the posts. Jarvis' conversion sealed the victory, as well
as the final whistle.
Cornish Pirates 39
Tries - K James 2,
Pritchard 2, Roke; Conversions - Barlow 2, Jarvis 2; Penalties - Barlow 2
Otley
22
Tries - Luffman, Kitching, Wilson; Conversions - Binns 2; Penalties -
Binns
Pirates: W Davies; R Welding (M Jess 75), D Roke, J Pritchard, K James;
T Barlow (L Jarvis 62), G Cattle (R McAtee 65); A Paver, N Makin (P Ince 57),
N Adams (D Parkes 57); W James, J Beardshaw (H Senekal 48); J Bearman (capt),
I Motusaga, T Cowley. Replacement (not used): S Hockings
Otley: I Shuttleworth;
R Kitching, R Whatmuff (T Rock 62), P Mooney (C Hyndman 40), W Sovatabua; S Binns,
A Brown; B Fear (D Sayers 69), M Luffman (A Walker 69), K Fullman; J Oakes, P
Williams (J Tiffany 45); S Connor, N Bland (M Stockdale 45), G Wilson (capt).
Replacement (not used): R Pike.
Referee: N Williams (RFU)
