Cornish Pirates

Nowadays anything but generous to opponents, the third-placed 'Merry Men' of Nottingham confirmed their status as the most improved team in the division by beating am in-form Cornish Pirates side at Meadow Lane on Sunday afternoon.

The platform for their victory laid in the first half, when they applied sufficient squeeze in important areas which ultimately forced the Pirates to give away too many kickable penalty opportunities.

The Pirates team showed one change from the one that started at Bedford last time out, Mark Ireland returning from injury to replace outside centre Paul Devlin who had sustained an ankle injury at Goldington Road. Right from the start the Pirates were forced to show sound defensive qualities, grateful when the penalty signal went their way to enable fly-half Gareth Steenson to clear the danger. Keeping possession, good work from Ireland and his midfield partner Steve Winn, and then lock Bruce Cumming, ended with scrum-half Ed Fairhurst avoiding wanabee tacklers and running in from fifteen metres, his fifth minute try at the posts converted by Steenson.

"Ed Fairhurst running in from fifteen metres"

Nottingham's response was purposeful, the half-back pairing of Tim Usasz and Ben Thompson calling the shots to bring dangerman centre Tim Molenaar threateningly into play. Important tackles were made by Pirates wing Rhodri McAtee and prop Dan Seal, but when the pressure created eventually forced the visitors to stray off-side, full-back Dave Jackson stepped forward to slot the simple penalty chance on offer.

The Pirates, like Nottingham, refused to be subdued, it no surprise to witness the occasional feisty moment. Hooker Rob Elloway and Nottingham's Kiwi skipper Chris Hammond were both spoken to in one altercation, but no further action was taken by the referee.

When the Pirates again strayed offside, Jackson punished them once more, there nearly a quarter of the game gone and this contest as close as everyone expected.

When the next penalty was gifted the Green & Whites, the range was perhaps just beyond taking another kick at goal. However, the option of kicking down the line for a catch and drive would ultimately derive benefit. Yes, the Pirates had done their homework on how to best deal with such threats, but when Nottingham launched a secondary advance and let the ball free, winger Alex Dodge set up Thompson a try that put the home side ahead. Jackson kicked the conversion, with the Pirates then introducing Brian Tuohy to proceedings after McAtee had to depart injured

Nottingham had by now shown all the signs that they were a dominant force, flanker Luke Sherriff and lock Nic Rouse outstanding performers, their side and deserving of the a lead which was increased with three further points from a penalty, given again for offside, kicked by Jackson in injury-time which made it 16-7 at the break. A good start to the second half would help the Pirates cause, there certainly signs that it was in them to get back into the game, exemplified by lock Heino Senekal and Fairhurst. The positive signs of making a recovery continued as the half developed the Pirates, with a run from Tuohy heightening the pulse.

Heino Senekal Has Support From Steenson

Unfortunately all the promise did not end in a try, but the Pirates were at least able to claw back three points when Steenson kicked a penalty.

A good take in the air by full-back Adryan Winnan, him then linking with wing Jimmy Moore and Cumming, raised hopes of still better things to come, as did a break made by flanker Chris Cracknell which only came to a halt when Thompson tackled Tuohy without the ball and was duly yellow-carded.

Cracknell and replacement Vunga Lilo, with his first touch, looked to maintain the enterprise, but when the home team regained possession they decided to keep it tight and wisely deny the now dangerous Pirates possession. This they did to good effect, until they were close enough to open it up, enabling Dodge, the son of former England captain Paul, to cross for an unconverted try in the corner.

Down to just fourteen men seemed to have harmed Nottingham not the slightest, with a penalty from Jackson extending their lead just as Thompson made his return.

Still the Pirates refused to give up, them determined to create a score that would provide the chance of a bonus point, which they deservedly managed to achieve. Tuohy's try matched the number scored by their hosts in the match, the conversion from Steenson making the final scoreline 24-17.

Being realistic, home advantage was always likely to be a telling factor in such a game as this, and so it proved, with the spirited Pirates also knowing though that they played some good rugby, will learn from their mistakes, and can now look forward to some good games ahead.

Nottingham:
D. Jackson, A. Savage, M. Smith, T. Molenaar (R. Nirmalendran 15-22), A. Dodge, B. Thompson, T. Usasz (C. Pilgrim 80), D. Montagu, L. Sherriff, C. Hammond (capt), N. Rouse (S. Raven 76), L. Morley, N. Hall, A. Loney (J. Duffey 52), M. Parr (R. Hopkins 62).

Replacements (not used): T. Stannard, C. Hayter.

Yellow card: Thompson.

Cornish Pirates:
A. Winnan, R. McAtee (B. Tuohy 36), M. Ireland (V. Lilo 68), S. Winn, J. Moore, G. Steenson, E. Fairhurst, T. Cowley (capt - M. Evans 76), I. Motusaga, C. Cracknell, B. Cumming, H. Senekal, D. Seal. R. Elloway (D. Dawidiuk 80), A. Paver (P. Cook 52).

Replacements (not used): S. Heard, O. Thomas.

Scorers:-

Nottingham

Tries: Thompson, Dodge
Con: Jackson
Pens: Pritchard 5

Cornish Pirates
Tries: Fairhurst, Tuohy
Cons: Steenson 2
Pen: Steenson

Referee: 'JP' Doyle (RFU)

Attendance: 1,517