Cornish Pirates

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	Cornish Pirates 63 Doncaster Knights 36 Sunday March 23rd 2008 Report Phil Westren

With Easter early this year, there was always the risk that the weather could anything but springlike, which was certainly the case on a bitterly cold and breezy afternoon. However, on-field events were always likely to be somewhat warmer, with both teams fired up for this fifth versus fourth contest in the league, there a chance for the Pirates to leapfrog their Yorkshire opponents and also complete a season's 'double', having won 16-12 at Doncaster's Castle Park ground last November.

The extra competitive 'edge' expected from this match was there from the very start, supporters torn in the opening seconds between watching either the somewhat lively on-ball or off-ball action.

Playing with the elements, a judgement on what advantage the wind was to give was witnessed just two minutes into the game when Doncaster's fly-half Mark Woodrow, who is the second highest points scorer in the league behind Gareth Steenson, comfortably slotted a penalty from all of 10 metres inside his own half.

If that score stunned the crowd, then they were silenced again just two minutes later when wing Donovan Van Vuuren breezed over for a converted try of the left.

All about were already asking how many points advantage the elements would give the visitors in the first half, it also interesting to see how the Pirates would react. Well, it was positive, as accustomed of late, even though they lost the services of scrum-half Ed Fairhurst with an apparent shoulder injury, him replaced by Rhodri McAtee. Former 'Pirate' Wes Davies, playing at full-back for the Knights, made a try-saving tackle at the scoreboard corner on wing Vunga Lilo, it following a a fine pick up and pass from lock Bruce Cumming, but with pressure maintained and a penalty awarded, from the chosen catch and drive skipper Tim Cowley then powered over for the Pirates first try of the afternoon.

Tim Cowley powered over for the Pirates first try of the afternoon

The conversion attempt was not easy, and Steenson was unlucky to see his effort shave the post.

A second successful penalty strike from Woodrow made it 5-11, before the Pirates responded magnificently once more. Taking full advantage of the penalty count now in their favour, they swiftly worked their way upfield, before a burst from a lively McAtee saw the ball transferred through the hands of Cumming and hooker Rob Elloway, and then lock Heino Senekal who, with a combination of sheer determination, raw strength and pace (!), carried the ball successfully to the line. The mighty Namibian's effort will surely be a leading candidate for a try of the season, and Steenson duly added the extras.

The mighty Namibian's effort will be a leading candidate for try of the season

From the restart, however, the Pirates were penalised under their posts, giving Woodrow the opportunity to nudge the Yorkshire team back in front.

Sadly, and out of character from the person known in the past, Wes Davies was then adjudged to have head-butted McAtee, giving referee Mr. Doyle little option but to red card the offender. Steenson kicked the resulting penalty, but just before the break Woodrow was similarly on target to make it 15-17.

It had been an intriguing first period, with there now every chance that the Pirates would proceed to win the match, although doubts were cast when Doncaster flanker David Griffiths was controversially awarded a converted try at the start of the second half.

It was important for the Pirates to score next, with prayers duly answered when centre Paul Devlin ran twenty metres without a finger laid on him, his unconverted try taking his tally into double figures as the club's leading try-grabber for the season. When the next score came, it a try finished off in style by wing Jimmy Moore on the left, there were plaudits also for Senekal who had originally snaffled the prize of possession back on halfway. Steenson duly converted, as he did a try joyously scored by prop Dan Seal on the right, it following another well-worked catch and drive.

A try joyously scored by Dan Seal

Having opened a ten points gap, better was to come, full-back Adryan Winnan setting up Lilo for a another converted score

Doncaster reminded everyone that the game was not over just yet when combative hooker Steve Boden forced his way over, his effort this time converted by replacement Cerith Rees, before a snap drop goal for Steenson from all of 50 metres immediately put a home stamp back on proceedings.

Both sides, and the Pirates in particular, had defied the weather conditions by taking every possible percentage of advantage from the elements.

Lilo and Moore went on to make it a brace of tries each, with Steenson converting both, before Doncaster conjured up their bonus point fourth try scored by replacement prop Toma Toke.

Fittingly the last points of the match, taking the total scored in the game to 99, went to man of the match Steenson, him this time a try-scorer who was understandably forgiven for missing the conversion!.

As the final whistle sounded, the reaction of the crowd made it clear that they had watched a quite incredible game of rugby, it beyond belief that such quality play could have been witnessed in the conditions. Leapfrogging Donny was naturally an added bonus, with it also remembered that the Pirates still remain unbeaten after seven matches now played between the two teams.

Cornish Pirates:
A. Winnan, V. Lilo, P. Devlin (O. Thomas 72), S. Winn, J. Moore, G. Steenson
E. Fairhurst (R. McAtee 10), T. Cowley (capt - S. Betty 77), I. Motusaga
C. Cracknell (M. Evans 67), B. Cumming, H. Senekal, D. Seal (S. Heard 65), R. Elloway
(D. Dawidiuk 60), P. Cook (A. Paver 49).

Scorers:-
Tries: Lilo, Moore (2), Lilo (2), Cowley, Senekal, Devlin, Seal, Steenson
Cons: Steenson 6
Pens Steenson 1
Drops Steenson 1

Doncaster:
W. Davies, P. Bailey, B. Hunt, S. Davey, D. Van Vuuren, M. Woodrow (C. Rees 58)
B. Jones, C. Planchant, S. Grainger (T. Luke 33-37, A. Carter h/t), D. Griffiths
G. Kenworthy (capt), L. Gross (L. Fa'aose), N. Tau (T. Davies 58)
S. Boden (B. Phillips 72), R. List (T. Toke 75).

Red card: W. Davies.

Scorers:-
Try: : Van Vuuren, Griffiths, Boden, Toke
Con: Woodrow, Rees
Pen: Woodrow 4

Referee: JP Doyle (RFU)
Touch Judges: Steve Leyshon & Fred Spong

Man of the Match: Gareth Steenson

Attendance: 2,860

Match Day Sponsor: Laurence Associates

Match Ball Sponsor: Cornwall Crane Services