Cornish Pirates

Exeter 11 Pirates 6
Saturday 24th February 2007

WHEN Exeter Chiefs upped sticks from the dilapidated County Ground to head across town to their new luxurious Sandy Park Stadium there were folk that feared the club's fearsome home factor would be left behind in the rubble.

Spectators' Approach To Exeter's New luxurious Sandy Park Stadium

Several months on - and now safely ensconced in their stunning multi-million pound establishment - it appears those fears can be safely allayed after Saturday's hard-fought derby victory over the Cornish Pirates.

Having been humbled 37-20 by their neighbours from across the Tamar back in late October, the Chiefs gained sweet revenge in this rematch watched by a crowd of almost 6,000.

Dramatic, absorbing and at times, full-blooded, it was everything you would have expected from a derby tussle involving two of National One's most in-form outfits.

Ultimately though, it was Exeter's desire and determined defence - ingredients they have whipped together in previous campaigns against the likes of Bristol and Harlequins - that saw them claim yet another notable scalp.

Withstanding a late barrage of attacking pressure from the visiting Cornishmen, the Chiefs' stubborn resistance held firm long enough to ensure their unbeaten tag for 2007 will enter a third month at least.

Withstanding a late barrage of attacking pressure from the visiting Cornishmen    (pic Big Brian)

Unlike at Newbury and Leeds, there was to be no last-gasp heroics from the Pirates this time round. Instead, it will be back to the drawing board for Jim McKay and his fellow coaches, who know they will have to conjure up a more effective battle plan for this weekend's crunch clash with Doncaster in the National Trophy.

Whereas in recent displays forward momentum has been the order of the day for the Pirates, a similar ploy on Saturday merely played into the hands of the Chiefs, who had clearly done their homework on the threat posed by their local rivals.

Too often McKay's men were guilty of adopting the same, predictable tactic of trying to drive through the heart of the Exeter rearguard. Had they tried something different - it's been quite a while since we saw the Pirates back division really cut loose - maybe a more profitable reward could have been claimed.

In truth, for all the possession and territory the Pirates boasted in the second period, their scant reward after the break was a solitary penalty from fly-half Alberto Di Bernardo. The Chiefs, on the other hand, made good use of the ball they created for themselves. Indeed, the game's defining moment came just past the hour mark, courtesy of a loose line-out from the Pirates. With the visitors on the attack, Vili Ma'asi's throw from the sidelines evaded his jumpers, the Chiefs recycled the ball out wide to winger Gary Kingdom who, with plenty still to do, conjured up a moment of magic worthy of winning the game on its own. Collecting the ball wide on the left touchline, Kingdom shrugged off the feeble attempt of a tackle by opposite number Jon Hylton, before chipping the ball over the top and outpacing all around him to dive over in the corner.

Iva Motusage With Duncan Bell Backing Up

(pic Big Brian)

Kingdom's touchdown sent the home faithful wild with delight, but still there was plenty to do and the Chiefs knew as much.

In a rumbustious opening to the game, it was the Chiefs who broke the deadlock on six minutes when Tony Yapp fired them in front with a penalty. Ten minutes later and the Exeter number ten could have doubled his tally, but his right-footed effort sailed wide of the upright.

His kicking duel with Di Bernardo was certainly intense - as was the flare-up between the two playmakers midway through the half - the Pirates man was subsequently found guilty for his part by referee Nick Williams when order had been restored.

Di Bernardo, the division's leading points scorer, quickly shrugged off his indiscretion and his tactical nous soon had the visitors on the attack and in enemy territory.

Although the Argentinian failed with a long-range penalty on 22 minutes, he was able to convert a second chance in first-half stoppage time, this time firing over a kick he had won himself after home flanker Gary Willis had deliberately body-checked him off the ball.

The offence saw Willis banished to the sin-bin for the remainder of the half, as well as the early exchanges after the restart. However, despite the numerical disadvantage, it was Exeter who were offered the first chance of the second period. Sadly Yapp was unable to land the 48th-minute penalty.

No Way Through For Johnny Hylton         (pic Big Brian)

With the visitors looking to up the ante, their pressure finally brought reward on the hour mark when home prop Dan Parkes, himself a former Pirate, was penalised for a ruck offence and Di Bernardo stroked over the resultant kick for a slender 6-3 lead.

Worse was to follow for the Chiefs, who moments later wasted a golden attacking opportunity when Ian Brown needlessly flew into a ruck, knee first. His actions were spotted by the officials and the towering lockbecame the second home player sent to the cooler.

Home fury, however, was to prove shortlived as Kingdom soon intervened with his sublime solo effort on 65 minutes. Although Yapp failed with the difficult touchline conversion, the crucial factor as far as the Chiefs were concerned was that they were back in front.

Their cause was aided when Pirate Duncan Bell became the third player to be shown yellow, the Samoan-born centre dispatched to the flanks following some unnecessary tap-dancing on Chiefs hooker Sam Blythe at a ruck.

Pirate Princess's Call For Action

Then, sensing the opportunity might be there to increase their advantage, the Chiefs threw caution to the wind. First Barrett was held up on the line, before the same player thought he had sniped over for a second try. That, however, was ruled out for crossing and the play brought back for an earlier penalty which Yapp duly converted.

With time fast running out, the Pirates - now back to full complement - summoned themselves for one final throw of the dice.

Although they pressed hard in the dying moments, as well as the ten minutes of added-on time, there was to be no way through and it was the Chiefs who were to emerge victorious.

Exeter Chiefs 11
Try - Kingdom; Penalties - Yapp 2

Cornish Pirates 6
Penalties - Di Bernardo 2

Pirates:
A Winnan; R McAtee, D Roke (S Winn 54), D Bell, J Hylton, A DiBernardo, G Cattle (capt), A Paver, V Ma'asi,
D Seal (S Heard 68); HSenekal (J Inglis 68-77), J Beardshaw; S McKeen, I Motusaga, T Cowley (MEvans 77).
Replacements (not used): N Makin, R Wells, L Vinnicombe.
Yellow Card: Bell.

Chiefs:
B Breeze; J Luff, M Fatialofa, W Kelly, G Kingdom; T Yapp, KBarrett; D Parkes, SBlythe (S Nelson 80)
J Horn-Smith (R Liddington 80); JHanks, I Brown; T Walker, G Willis, R Baxter (capt).
Replacements (notused): C Slade, A Miller, R Bolt, A Staniforth, T Bedford.
Yellow Cards: Willis, Brown.

Referee: N Williams (RFU) Attendance: 5,944

See Also:

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