Cornish Pirates

For their defence of the EDF Energy National, the Cornish Pirates were handed a mightily tough draw to Northampton Saints for their opening tie in Round 4 of the competition.

It was a third meeting between the two clubs this season, the Saints having emerged relatively narrow victors from both league games that have been played. This, however, was cup action, the Pirates certain not to give up their hard-fought for silverware without a fight.

The Pirates showed three changes in personnel from that which started at Pertemps Bees seven days earlier. Brian Tuohy returned to the wing in place of Vunga Lilo who took over from Paul Devlin at outside centre, and at fly-half Gareth Steenson was selected ahead of Ollie Thomas. In the pack Chris Cracknell was selected on the blind-side flank, with skipper Tim Cowley reverting to the No. 8 position in place of Matt Evans.

On a horrible wet and windy afternoon at the 'Rec', Northampton kicked the game off playing towards the scoreboard end with the elements in their favour. When a first penalty came their way the Saints opted for a catch and drive at the clubhouse corner, Carlos Spencer's kick posting them a perfect position near to the Pirates line. With a throw in at the line-out the chance of an early score was very much 'on', but Cracknell did well to snaffle possession and the initial threat was held.

'A truly horrible wet and windy afternoon'

It looked obvious that the play would likely be isolated in the one half all afternoon, but after Northampton's full-back Stephen Myler opened the scoring with a penalty struck struck from 40 metres, the Pirates responded to play some really well controlled rugby in the conditions.

Skipper Cowley led the way, setting the example of what was needed in the tackle area, and then taking the ball forcefully forward with support from lock Heino Senekal. Space was almost created to give wing Rhodri McAtee a glimmer of a chance inside the visitors '22'. When the Saints regained possession they drove the Pirates alarmingly into their own half, the ball then carried by No. 8 Mark Hopley who ran 35 metres for an unconverted try on the right.

Again the Pirates worked impressively to take the game to their opponents, the whole back-row forming an outstanding unit as they drove their opponents back. An up and under from fly-half Gareth Steenson enabled the Pirates to push further upfield, with flanker Iva Motusaga and prop Dan Seal to the fore.

As the Pirates edged ever close to the Saints line, combative scrum-half Ed Fairhurst looked close to scoring, but a knock-on occurred and the ball was cleared to halfway.

If Northampton had the edge on occasions, then it appeared in one area only, it perhaps not so surprisingly at the scrummage, and it certainly no disgrace.

The front-row of former Scotland and British Lions star Tom Smith, hooker Dylan Hartley and Euan Murray were a more than useful trio, with useful bulk behind them, and it was that forward factor of timely dominance which told in the build up to a second try, finished off with some enterprising interplay from wing Chris Ashton and scoring centre James Downey. Myler this time added the extras. The Pirates needed a boost, and most certainly deserved one, a 42 metres penalty from Steenson the answer to everyone's prayers.

Just before the break, however, there was a set back when Cowley had to hobble off, his efforts loudly applauded, with there also a sporting first shake of his hand, and one out of genuine respect, from a Northampton coach, Dorian West, the former Leicester and England hooker.

Both sides emerged from the tunnels wearing new shirts for the second half, there also new hopes for the Pirates as they now had the advantage of the elements. Fairhurst and McAtee worked play cleverly on the left, but the latter was scragged into touch near the corner flag.

The field was hurriedly turning from green to brown, the foothold on the surface likely to hamper any long-range penalty attempt, as it appeared to do when a Steenson effort from five metres inside his own half fell short.

As the minutes ticked by, and the light faded, the Pirates held territorial advantage, hopes raised when wing Chris Ashton spilled the ball inside his own '22'. Hooker Rob Elloway needed mud washed from his eyes before the scrummage could be formed, but the Saints held firm and skipper Bruce Reihana gambled as he tried to break clear.

A catch and drive at the old scoreboard corner proved the next realistic chance of breaking down the Saints stubborn defence, but they were anything but as charitable as their name.

The Pirates perhaps lacked just a little of the grunt and grind that on another day might have made a difference, but to each man there were top marks for effort, with a fitting man of the match award for lock Scott Hobson. Selected during the past week for the England U20s squad, the experience gained in recent games should benefit him enormously.

At the very end it was all but impossible to distinguish who was who, and ultimately disappointment and realisation that the EDF Energy National Trophy, which the Pirates have held so dear, was not to be theirs - for this season at least.

The eventual winners will likely be the victors on Saturday, some scant reward perhaps to hear Bruce Reihana comment that Northampton's match against the Cornish Pirates had been their toughest all season

Cornish Pirates:
A. Winnan, R. McAtee, V. Lilo, S. Winn, B. Tuohy, G. Steenson, E. Fairhurst
T. Cowley (capt - M. Evans 39), I. Motusaga, C. Cracknell (S. Betty 64-77), S. Hobson
H. Senekal, D. Seal, R. Elloway (D. Dawidiuk 66), P. Cook.

Replacements (not used): A. Paver, P. Devlin, O. Thomas, J. Moore.

Northampton Saints:
S. Myler, C. Ashton (P. Diggin 80), J. Clarke, J. Downey, B. Reihana (capt), C. Spencer
J. Howard (M. Robinson 67), M. Hopley (M. Easter 67), B. Lewitt, P. Tupai, M. Lord
A. Rae (P. Hoy 80), E. Murray (B. Stewart 32), D. Hartley (J. Gray 80), T. Smith (S. Tonga'uiha 60).

Yellow card: B. Stewart

Scorers:

Cornish Pirates
Pen: Steenson.

Northampton Saints
Tries: Hopley, Downey
Con: Myler
Pens: Myler

Referee: Mr. J.P. Doyle (RFU)

Man of the Match: Scott Hobson

Attendance 3,051