| 'Moore' The Merrier | ||||||||||||
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Doncaster 10 Cornish Pirates 13 A LAST-gasp drop-goal from James Moore helped fire the Cornish Pirates into the last four of this season's EDF Energy National Trophy with a hard-fought victory over Doncaster at Castle Park. Fly-half Moore struck with a minute remaining to seal yet another memorableTrophy victory for the Cornishmen in the White Rose county.
The former Coventry man, who was one of three changes made to the side that lost to Exeter Chiefs last time out, ably took over the kicking mantle from injured Argentinian ace Alberto Di Bernardo, who it has been confirmed will be moving to Leeds Tykes at the end of the season.
Moore's heroics not only delighted the large contingent of Pirates supporters who had made the long trek North, but it ensured a hat-trick of wins for Jim McKay's side over Donny, who will now focus their own attentions on a top three finish in National League One.
Certainly the home side came out firing and took an early lead when fly-half Mark Woodrow fired them in front on seven minutes with a penalty, given after the visitors had been penalised for handling on the floor. It was an early blow for the Pirates, but they responded well and came within a whisker of hitting back almost immediately, a storming break from flanker Iva Motusaga through the middle was halted only by a try-saving tackle from home scrum-half Ben Jones.
With little to choose between either team, play for the majority of the half was confined to a massive battle up front, while behind there were the occasional glimpses of some free-flowing rugby.
Chances came and went for both sides, although it was Doncaster who finished the half the stronger - Woodrow almost creeping over in the right-hand corner - as the game ran into stoppage time. Refreshed and revived following the half-time break, it was the Duchy outfit who were first out of the blocks on the resumption. Determined work up front created space for Moore to make a break, but sadly his burst was halted by a high tackle by home skipper Jason Forster. Although a little groggy, Moore was able to compose himself sufficiently to thunder over a long-range penalty and level the scores on 44 minutes. Not surprisingly the battle up front had taken it's toll and with it came a plethora of replacements. That said, it was Donny who began to take charge of proceedings with Jones, John Cannon and Cornishman Ben Gollings leading the way. Good defence from the Pirates helped keep them at bay - and when Woodrow gambled on a sluggish Pirates scrum, referee Dale Newitt rescued the visitors when he ruled the fly-half's individual effort out for offside. It was merely a brief let-off for the Pirates as some slick handling from the hosts created the opening for former Pirate Wes Davies to cross, Woodrow's conversion putting Doncaster in control at 10-3 with 13 minutes remaining.
The result ensures the Westcountry will have three representatives in the semi-final draw. However, on this showing the Pirates will be a tough nut to crack. Pirates: Try - Ma'asi Doncaster: Try - Davies Referee: D Newitt (RFU)
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