Cornish Pirates

Earth Titans -Rotherham 18 (18) Cornish Pirates 24 (0)
November 11th 2006
Mark Stevens Report

Pirates' outstanding second-half recovery in National One's match of the day took them to the top of the League and their ninth win in 11 games gained revenge for their heavy defeat at Clifton Lane last season.

On this occasion, the Pirates were far too strong after the interval, and their ability to fight back from being 18-0 down against the overnight leaders says much about the character and the quality of the squad.

With a powerful gale behind their backs, Rotherham's Earth Titans 18-0 lead at the break appeared to have given them a measure of control, particularly with home advantage.

The Pirates, who had conceded tries on 19 and 40 minutes to centre Bernard Hennessey and fly-half Gareth Steenson, did not seem too concerned, and as their forwards had won a decent amount of ball and had launched several attacks, hints of a probable turnaround were clearly evident.

Beardshaw hands to Barrat with Winn in support

In the first half the home side's tackling and defence had been sharp and effective, but as the second unfolded, the Titans struggled to cope with the ferocity of the Pirates' pack which ensured that the Yorkshiremen visited their opponents' 22 only twice.

Skipper and scrum-half, Gavin Cattle, launched the fightback with the second half only 30 seconds old. The Titans lost control of the ball from the restart and in a flash, Cattle pounced to steal it and score.

With fly-half Alberto Di Bernardo adding the first of his three conversions, the recovery was well under way, and just four minutes later, the Yorkshire club's lead was slashed further following a penalty from the division's leading point-scorer.

The Pirates now trailed by just 18-10 with the wind now in their favour and, vitally, with more than 30 minutes remaining. The forwards dominated possession and repeatedly controlled the ball in the Titans' half, so it came as no surprise that a second try was executed.

What was a shock was the ease with which Welsh centre Steve Winn smashed through to grab his first score for the club on 55 minutes. The simple conversion by Di Bernardo cut the gap to only 18-17. The momentum was now firmly in the Pirates' direction as the hosts began to look like a beaten side.

The match-winning try scored by winger Lewis Vinnicombe in the 69th minute followed a successful scrum close to the posts. The attack switched to the right and the quick transfer of the ball put the former Redruth flyer over in the corner.

The Pirates led for the first time at 22-18 and once Di Bernardo's accurate touchline conversion went over, the Pirates moved further in front to 24-18, and with no sign of the home side making constructive use of their limited possession, the league leaders were toppled.

	"We took the gamble to stay away after the Nottingham win and it worked out well for us," explained coach Jim McKay. "We changed a few things technically at half-time, but I put the win down to hard work. I was pleased with the collective spirit we showed. The forwards bounced back and I'm happy for the boys who've had a good two weeks."
Coach Jim McKay

	Meanwhile, Pirates' skipper Cattle said the Titans' 18-0 lead had not been enough in favourable conditions: "We were pretty confident we could pull it back. The pack weren't 100 per cent in the first half but the boys responded. It's good to be top but it's a long season and any one of four clubs can go top if one loses. We've got London Welsh next and that's the next focus."
Capt Gavin Cattle

Earth Titans 18
Tries - Hennessey, Steenson.
Conversion - Steenson
Penalties - Steenson 2.

Cornish Pirates 24
Tries - Cattle, Winn, Vinnicombe;
Conversions - Di Bernardo 3
Penalty - Di Bernardo.

Earth Titans:
M Whitehead; B Tuohy, B Burke, B Hennessey, T Allen; G Steenson (E Classens 72)

J Bedford (J Blackwood 79), S Walsh, N Hanna (N Conroy 67), A Hopcroft; H Head (L McGowan 56), E Lund (S Jacobsz 65); H Fourie, N Cochrane (capt, M McComish 43), J Bornman.
Replacement (not used): S Croall
Yellow Card: Burke

Pirates:
A Winnan (D Roke 59); R McAtee, H Barratt, S Winn, L Vinnicombe (J Hylton 75); A Di Bernardo
G Cattle (capt); A Paver, V Ma'asi, S Heard (D Seal 70); J Inglis, J Beardshaw; S McKeen
I Motusaga (C Cracknell 66), M Evans (D Seal 20-28).
Replacements (not used): J Moore, S Hobson , N Makin

Yellow Card: Paver
Referee: D Newitt (RFU).