On
a day when conditions at Old Deer Park were anything but condusive for positive
rugby football, the Cornish Pirates defied the odds in the opening quarter of
this match, playing with aplomb to open up a 17-3 points lead. However,
after the 'Exiles' team rallied and levelled the scores by the break, the Pirates
were ultimately relieved to hold on for victory thanks to a second half penalty
kicked by fly-half Gareth Steenson. 
The
Pirates lost 16-10 when they last visited London Welsh in March, a time when the
squad was plagued by injuries. This time around, however, it was a case of injured
personnel making a return. Added to a list of several such
players who had featured a week earlier against Moseley was full-back Adryan Winnan,
making his first outing for two and half months. Other changes
from the side that started against 'Mose' saw Rhodri McAtee replace Ali Koko on
the wing, and Bruce Cumming given a starting role at lock ahead of Heino Senekal.
Skipper Tim Cowley returned at No. 8 in place of Matt Evans, but after Stan McKeen
was declared unfit, Evans kept his position in the middle of the back-row, with
Cowley taking McKeen's place on the flank. Playing into
the elements in the first half, the Pirates purposeful beginning was rewarded
after lock Joe Beardshaw disrupted a London Welsh line-out deep in their half.
A charge from hooker Nathan Kemp kept 'Welsh' on the backfoot, and when the ball
reached the hands of Steve Winn, the centre crossed for an opening try converted
by Steenson. 
There
were only five minutes on the clock, but when the Pirates then gave a penalty
away from the restart it was a chance for the home team to reply with some points
of their own. Full-back Sam Ulph was given the opportunity to kick a straight
penalty from just inside the Pirates half, his successful strike reminding the
Pirates to keep their discipline. Again immediately from
the restart, referee Mr. Richard Draper blew his whistle for a penalty, this time
given after London Welsh were penalised for obstruction. It was simply a case
of step forward Steenson, and the Pirates went 10-3 up. Former
Bristol performer Richard Martin-Redman, who was captain of the Exiles team, set
the example to rally his troops, with support from fly-half Mitchell Burton, but
any developing pressure was held. Indeed, after Steenson booted clear upfield,
it was not long before Cowley and the busy Winn threatened at the other end. Winnan
- who can often cause damage on the counter - was in fine form on his return,
and produced the goods, when he ran in for a try at the corner following a flowing
backs movement involving the midfield duo of Winn and Vunga Lilo. The conversion
attempt from out wide was a mightily difficult one, but Steenson hit it perfectly. 
With
just less than a quarter of the game gone, the Pirates deservedly led 17-3, their
display a dream for the coaches as the hard work in training was bearing fruit. It
was, however, known that London Welsh were a better side than their pre-match
twelfth position indicated, the squad littered with too many good players for
them not to demand respect. Skipper Martin-Redman continued
to show a lead, gelling his pack to work as a unit and deliver the goods. In the
space of just a few minutes, London Welsh amazingly hit back with two tries scored
by their leader from driving mauls, both converted by Ulph to suddenly make it
17-all. As the half wound down, in fading light, a striking
kick and chase from Lilo briefly lit the match up, but the chance of another score
came to an end by a cruel bounce of the ball and committed defensive cover shown
by London Welsh flanker Mark Lee With the wind on their
backs for the second half - kicking from hand to keep territorial advantage was
the likely order of the day and there was every hope the Pirates could proceed
to win this one. As expected, tactical kicking was immediately
witnessed through the play of scrum-half Ed Fairhurst and Steenson, but there
was a set back when Sam Heard had to depart proceedings injured just two minutes
into the second period. Following a line-out Mr. Draper
felt it necessary to yellow card London Welsh prop Colm Hannon, and whilst he
was off the Pirates soon nudged themselves ahead when Steenson slotted a lengthy
penalty. Nobody knew then that it was to be the match-winner. 
With
London Welsh down to 14 men, play was often now attritional, the hosts also losing
lock Wame Lewaravu to the sin bin. In the circumstances, he was perhaps lucky
just to be shown yellow following a dangerously high tackle on Cowley, the incident
also sparking a not unexpected feisty free for all. Into
the last quarter & with parity in numbers restored, there was still just three
points in it as the Welsh raised their efforts to test the Pirates once more.
It was nail-biting stuff with concern that if the home
team could edge close to the Pirates line, then their nous at the driving maul
could come into play for them to sneak it. Former England
wing Paul Sampson almost broke Cornish hearts, but his late dash to the line was
brought to an abrupt halt thanks to a tackle from Jimmy Moore. This final example
of defensive determination was vital to reap a hard-earned win, with vocal support
given from the touchlines also lending help to the cause.
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