Cornish Pirates

Sedgley Park 13 Cornish Pirates 20
Saturday November 3rd 2007
Phil Westren

It seemed all but inevitable that the Pirates would face another stern contest away to Sedgley Park, and so it proved, with fly-half Gareth Steenson scoring vital 15 points.

The 'Tigers' - labeled the survivors in National Division One - having finished 10th - 13th & 13th again in their last three seasons playing at this level, had previously confirmed that they are a dangerous outfit not to be underestimated. Indeed, the Pirates had lost two of their three previous visits to Sedgley Park's ground, in Whitefield, Manchester.

Jim McKay Surveys The Scene Pre-match

There were four changes in the Cornish Pirates line-up from the one that had started against Nottingham, with recalls on the wing and at scrum-half respectively for Ali Koko and Richard Bolt, in place of Rhodri McAtee and Ed Fairhurst.

	In the forwards Heino Senekal made his first appearance since returning from RWC duty with Namibia, taking the place of Bruce Cumming, whilst Matt Evans - replacing Chris Cracknell on the blind-side flank - made a welcome return to full fitness following an end of season injury at Coventry, Showing early domination at the line-out, the Cornish Pirates put sufficient pressure on their opponents to concede a penalty which enabled the fly-half Gareth Steenson to put the visitors 3-0 up with just five minutes on the clock. It was just as needed, but what followed proved to be more balanced, as both sides tested each other without either making any serious impression. Just on the half-hour mark, the first try of the game was scored, full-back Ollie Thomas once again playing the telling role for the Pirates as he casually took to hand a wayward Park clearance before setting off on a meandering, tackle avoiding run which took him to the line. Steenson added the extras.
Heino Prepares For His 1st Appearance Since RWC

It looked likely that the Pirates would arrive at the break 10-nil up, but to their credit there was still time for Sedgley Park to secure some points of their own, influential fly-half Phil Jones slotting a penalty just after his half-back partner Jamie Albinson, who had made a number of danger-sign darting runs in the half, had to depart proceedings with a neck injury.

A second penalty kicked by Jones brought Sedgley Park back into contention early into the second period, it a time when further changes in personnel were also made to add to a number of others forced earlier for both sides because of injuries.

The Cornish Pirates have had to cope with their fair share of pressure on the field in recent weeks, a quick response now asked for and delivered when an opportunist response by Steenson saw him run in a try at the posts which he also converted. On certain occasions such a score might have broken the opposition team's will, but player-coach Tim Fourie's 'Tigers' were still more than up for the scrap.

Jones almost created a try-scoring chance for replacement centre Freeman Payne who, though not able to take advantage, did not waste a second opportunity which soon came his way after good play from his midfield partner Andy Craig, a former Scotland international. Payne's try by the sticks was converted by Jones and it was now tension time once more.

With there just a few minutes left, victory was still in either side's grasp, with further chances for both teams, the Pirates were ultimately relieved, when a second Steenson penalty of the match proved the last score of the game.

It secured a hard-fought win, one which everyone knew would be difficult to attain, with the home side also fully deserving of their bonus point.

Cornish Pirates head coach, Jim McKay, commented: "Sedgley Park are a good side who made things difficult for us. It wasn't pretty, but we didn't give up and we got four points."

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Cornish Pirates:
O. Thomas, J. Moore, P. Devlin (R. McAtee 28), N. Buckley, A. Koko, G. Steenson, R. Bolt (E. Fairhurst 50)
T. Cowley (capt), I. Motusaga (C. Cracknell 63), M. Evans, H. Senekal, J. Beardshaw (B. Cumming 62)
D. Seal, R. Elloway (N. Kemp 50), P. Cook (A. Paver 50).

Replacement (not used) - S. Parsons.

Sedgley Park:
M. Riley, C. Hall, A. Craig, C. Briers (F. Payne 36), J. Van DeVenter (D. Livesey 76), P. Jones,
J. Albinson (C. Leck 30), J. Skurr, J. Ponton (capt), A. Newton (J. Crous 62), E. Norris, T. Fourie
M. Halsall (P. du Plessis 59), J. Roddam, P. Gazzola.

Replacements (not used) - D. Birchall, P. Keys.

Scorers:-

Cornish Pirates -
Tries: Thomas, Steenson
Con: Steenson 2
Pens: Steenson 2

Sedgley park
Try: Payne
Con: Jones
Pens: Jones

Referee: Brian Robertson (RFU)
Touch Judges: Ian Robinson, Steve Makinson

Attendance: 657