| Bogey Buried At Park Lane - Senekal Scores Two In 9-Try Romp | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sedgley Park 3 - 55 (3 - 26) Cornish Pirates Saturday October 14th Having won at Doncaster the previous week - a welcome first win on the road this season - there was hope of a second such victory on the trot last Saturday, at Park Lane, Whitefield, Manchester, home of Sedgley Park, Playing their third season in National 1, the Sedgley Park 'Tigers' have never truly found their feet at this level, and went into this match at the bottom of the table. However, the Pirates knew that nothing should be taken for granted, needing no reminder that they had lost disappointingly on their previous two visits. The question on everyone's lips was will it be third time lucky? The answer was surely yes, it should be, but there are never any guarantees. With winger Jonny Hylton concussed early in the game against Doncaster Knights, there was another opportunity given Lewis Vinnicombe on the wing, the only change made in the Pirates starting line-up. Snaffling possession right from the kick-off, the visitors went through a number of phases to take position at the posts. Control and purpose was the immediate focus, it worked immediately to clinical effect when a delighted Vinnicombe was put away on the right to score a try converted by fly-half Alberto Di Bernardo .A perfect beginning on an equally perfect autumn day, but an immediate blemish followed the restart, the Pirates straying offside to enable Park's respected fly-half Phil Jones to slot the penalty chance on offer. However, there were already signs that the Pirates had the upper hand, gifted further advantage as lock Jacko Swart was yellow-carded & accepted with vengeance by wing Rhodri McAtee, who scampered over on the left. Di Bernardo again added the extras. The Pirates line-out was very good, and the scrum certainly dominant, whilst their ruck and maul game led to try number three, deservedly going to hard-working and modest lock Heino Seneka. It was now clear that a bonus-point five-pointer would soon materialise, and it did, No. 8 Matt Evans - beginning to look back at his impressive best - breaking Park's defensive line to score. Di Bernardo converted and the Pirates arrived at the break 26-3 up Supporters will remember the Pirates being 20-3 ahead at the same venue almost exactly two years previously, then proceeding to have a shocker of a second half before losing 28-27, but there was no way that would happen again. Tim Fourie's side, who had played with spirit and determination before losing relatively narrowly at Leeds the previous week, looked well beaten & already forlorn, whilst in contrast the Pirates had done all the right things to present a thoroughly professional performance. From Adryan Winnan at fifteen, to Alan Paver at one, they appeared purposefully confident and assured. Their young Academy side had tamed the Leicester Tigers only the night before, and the senior team were now giving Sedgley Park Tigers something of a mauling. To get on the scoresheet once was pleasing, but to be in place to secure a second try when play resumed, after a mesmerising run from McAtee, was a just reward once more for Senekal. Sedgley Park were down to fourteen men again after flanker Adam Newton was also shown yellow, but they threw caution to the wind, playing an expansive game for a brief spell, but without success, both sides then taking the opportunity to bring on fresh legs from the bench. Both McAtee and prop Sam Heard picked up injuries, the latter permanently replaced by Grant Anderson, but normal service soon returned when skipper Gavin Cattle first found the space to send flanker Iva Motusaga in for a try, before then stretching for one of his own after another sound build up. All of the Pirates replacements were given a run, young Owen Hambly doing well at hooker when taking over from Viliami Ma'asi, who had been a dynamic force once more, and there was a welcome return from injury for Tim Cowley who had his first league action of the season. A fabulous individual effort from McAtee, converted by Di Bernardo, took the Pirates to the fifty points mark, the afternoon's work then completed by centre Duncan Roke who ran thirty metres for his second try in two weeks. This victory was a relief, a banana skin which was more than safely disposed of, it leaving this Sunday's home game against third-placed Bedford as one not to be missed. Scorers:-
Cornish Pirates - A. Winnan, R. McAtee (J. Moore), D. Roke, D, Bell (S. Winn), D. Roke, A. Di Bernardo, G. Cattle (J. Moore), M. Evans, I. Motusaga (S. Betty), S. McKeen (T. Cowley), J. Beardshaw (S. Hobson), H. Senekal, S. Heard (G. Anderson), V. Ma'asi (O. Hambly), A. Paver. Referee: Mr. Nick Williams (RFU) Attendance - 609.
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