Cornish Pirates News - Penzance & Newlyn RFC

Rotherham gained ample revenge for their earlier defeat at Kenwyn by hitting the Cornish Pirates with a six-try salvo at Clifton Lane on Saturday.

Having been humbled by Jim McKay’s side 43-13 in the first-ever game played at the Pirates new base on the outskirts of Truro, the Yorkshire side dominated this return fixture almost from start to finish, condemning their Cornish visitors to their first defeat of 2006.

As it was when the two sides met back in September, it was Rotherham - known these days as the Earth Titans - who started the game the brighter. And with just ten minutes on the clock, it was dangerman David Strettle who broke the deadlock when he dashed 60 metres up the touchline for their opening try, which was converted by South African WP Strauss, who five minutes later extended their lead with a penalty.

The Pirates - watched for the day by club president Dicky Evans - countered strongly and reduced the deficit when Iva Motusaga was driven over by his fellow forwards, fly-half Tom Barlow converting.

Sadly that proved to be the Pirates only cheer on a difficult afternoon in Yorkshire. Ernie Classens stretched the home side's lead to 15-7 at the break, before Rotherham really took control after the break.

Titans captain Lee Blackett added a third touchdown shortly after the restart, before lively scrum-half Morne Jonker claimed the all-important fourth try for the home side on 45 minutes. Strauss converted both to make it 29-7.
Although much of the half saw the sides cancelling each other out, it was Rotherham who finished the stronger, adding injury-time tries through No.8 Scott Donald and replacement Attie Pienaar, the latter of which Strauss converted.

The defeat means the Pirates have dropped to third in National League One, behind leaders Harlequins and Bedford Blues – the only other two sides to have defeated McKay’s men in league combat this season.
Both sides still have to visit Kenwyn – Bedford arrive on February 12, while the mighty Quins and their legion of international names arrive in the Duchy on March 26.