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| 'Just One Alberto' - Mighty Win For The Pirates A Statement Of Intent | |||||||||||||
Doncaster
23 - 29 Cornish Pirates Journeying to Castle Park, the relatively new home of the now named Doncaster 'Knights', the Cornish Pirates knew that two wins against their opponents last season counted for nowt. Having appointed the Welsh duo of Clive Griffiths as Director of Rugby, and Jason Forster as player-captain-coach, 'Donny' have been transformed. They finished tenth last season, their first in National 1, and pre last weekend they were a deserved second, just a single point behind league leaders Plymouth Albion, against whom they had suffered their only reversal in this campaign, a 14-13 defeat at the Brickfields.
The Pirates showed one change from that against Newbury the previous week, Duncan Roke replacing Henry Barratt in the centre, whilst a familiar face in the opposition threequarters, former Pirate Wes Davies, has proudly become a dad since moving back up north. It was a sunny afternoon, but with a fresh corner to corner wind which was perhaps there to be taken advantage of. When the match got underway, it was the Pirates who first played against the elements, not that they came into play at the start. Doncaster fumbled deep in their half right from the kick-off, a swarming visiting back-row taking advantage to apply immediate pressure, before skipper Gavin Cattle, who must have been as surprised as everyone else, but was though delighted nonetheless, was gifted a free run to the posts, the try converted by his half-back partner Alberto Di Bernardo. The Pirates soon lost the services of winger Jonny Hylton, who had to leave the field with a head injury, his place out wide taken by James Moore.
Play was pretty even, but Doncaster missed a chance to post their first points on the board when fly-half Mark Woodrow, formerly of Bristol and Nottingham, and the main man also responsible for dumping mighty Wasps out of the Powergen Cup in 2004 when playing for Pertemps Bees, missed a penalty chance on offer. In reply, when his opposite number Di Bernardo was gifted a penalty opportunity he did not disappoint to put the Pirates 10-0 up with just a quarter of an hour gone.
If it was last season, then supporters would probably have felt that the foundations for a comfortable victory had already been laid, but the Knights are a different proposition this time around. Indeed, they soon hit back , Woodrow making no mistakes when referee Mr. Rowan Kitt penalised the Pirates to kick three penalties, with another also slotted in return by Di Bernardo. It also appeared as if the Yorkshire side had sussed out the Pirates line-out signals, as they managed a couple of steals
The home side then took the lead after Pirates flanker Iva Motusaga was yellow carded for an infringement on the ground, his opposite number, ex Gwent Dragon leader Forster, taking advantage to score his ninth try of the season which surely keeps him comfortably at the top of the National 1 try-scoring chart. Woodrow added the extras to provide a 16-13 scoreline at the interval. With the elements now in their favour, the Pirates were still very much in this, with a feeling that if they kept their composure then a first away win was within their grasp. We would soon see. It was vitally important to show disciplined control, to continue the good work shown up front by Sam Heard once more, and the second-row pairing of Joe Beardshaw and Heino Senekal, which the whole pack had responded to.
Early scores, to mark a statement of intent would also do no harm, it thankfully materialising with two penalties from Di Bernardo and his conversion of a fine try scored by Roke who weaved his way to the line. Di Bernardo followed this up with another penalty, his tally of 19 taking him to a round 100 in National 1, the first by a considerable margin to reach the landmark after just six games. Also, importantly, he had taken control of the game with his kicking out of hand, posting his side into zones that raised the resolve of those around him. Doncaster did manage one more late try from No. 8 Glen Wilson, converted by Woodrow, but the Pirates held on to deservedly record a statement-providing win.
They had shown tremendous grit and determination at Leeds just two weeks earlier, but victory was not to be denied them on this occasion, though a number had felt pre-match that it was likely to be beyond their grasp. If they can overcome lowly Sedgley Park this coming weekend, where they have under-performed in the past, then October should finish with a bang at home to Bedford and Exeter on consecutive weekends - clashes not to be missed.
Scorers:- Doncaster
Knights Cornish Pirates Yellow card - I. Motusaga. Referee
- Mr. R. Kitt (RFU) |
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