Cornish Pirates

Bedford 41 Cornish Pirates 10
Wednesday April 4th 2007
Report Mark Stevens

A depleted Cornish Pirates side slipped to their second successive National League One defeat inside four days when they were comprehensively beaten 41-10 by Bedford Blues at Goldington Road last night.

With coach Jim McKay once again down to the bare bones of his squad, hooker Owen Hambly was forced to play at centre such was the injury crisis, it was always going to be a tough ask for the visitors.

Things certainly did not start well as they lost Rhodri McAtee - back from his duties with Wales at the recent Hong Kong Sevens - to the sin-bin inside three minutes for a professional foul.

With the Welshman briefly sidelined, the Blues made the most of their man advantage as a slick handling move involving half-backs Dom Malone and Ben Patston released right winger Ollie Dodge to cross in the left-hand corner. Former Plymouth Albion back James Pritchard slotted the first of his 11 points for the evening.

The response, however, from the Pirates was good and within three minutes they had cut the deficit when James Moore slotted a penalty after Blues flanker Nic Strauss had been penalised for handling on the floor.

But no sooner had Jim McKay's side brought themselves back into contention, then they were hit with two quickfire tries from Bedford in five minutes. First the impressive Patston found his way over, following up his grubber kick in behind the Duchy defence, then Dodge applied the finish to another scintillating backs move from the home side. The deadly boot of Pritchard converted both to make it 21-3 with as many minutes on the clock.

To their credit, the Pirates - despite all their recent changes - kept going and they raised a few cheers amongst the handful of visiting supporters when a good turnover move saw Grant Anderson pass one-handed to Lewis Vinnicombe, who in turn fed full-back Jon Hylton. Still some 60 metres from the home line, the former Worcester man applied the after burners before scorching to the line, even shaking off Pritchard along the way to score, Moore's conversion made it 21-10.

Bedford, though, remained the dominant force and they grabbed the all-important fourth try five minutes before the break when a series of attacks created the opening from which centre Tom Youngs was able to cross, Patston this time on hand to convert.

Fresh blood was introduced from the Pirates bench early in the second half, but it was Bedford who opened the second half scoring, Karl Dickson's pass released Patston, whose break through the middle saw him open up the visiting rearguard, before offloading to prop Dan Cole who crossed, Pritchard's conversion made it 38-10.

Despite a battling effort, the Pirates tried their best to add to their tally, but a series of knock-ons and good home defence ensured their efforts were thwarted with every raid. At the other end, Kieran Hallett wrapped things up for the Blues when he slotted a penalty three minutes from time.

For the Pirates it's now onto Plymouth on Saturday where, hopefully, their bruised and battered bodies can lift themselves for what will be a full-blooded derby encounter at the Brickfields.