Cornish Pirates

Cornish Pirates 30 Plymouth Albion 14
Sunday April 12th

Phil Westren

Recording their first home league win against Plymouth Albion in three years, the Cornish Pirates also turned the heat up on their cross Tamar rivals for whom the threat of relegation worryingly looms.

The warmth on a sunny Easter Sunday's afternoon was most welcome, but all gathered at Camborne also knew that the on-field action was always likely to be at a higher level, which it was from the very start.

Leading by example, visiting skipper Arthur Brenton displayed intent by first making a crunching tackle, and then shortly after following up play to register the opening try. There were just four minutes on the clock when the big lock had pounced to score, to which fly-half Ross Laidlaw added the extras.

Shortly after the restart the Pirates lost the services of No. 8 Matt Evans, who suffered a blood wound that needed attention. On as his temporary replacement, Frenchman Bertrand Bedes immediately ran hard at the heart of Plymouth Albion's defence, with pressure mounted ultimately forcing the visitors to concede a penalty which was successfully kicked by fly-half Rhys Jones.

With the pitch firm and there all but no wind, this was a day conducive to playing open rugby, which the Pirates confidently strived to do.

	A blistering 30 metres break from scrum-half Nicky Griffiths took play deep into Albion's half, from where lock Heino Senekal and flanker Chris Morgan pressed even closer to the line. Jones was off target with a penalty attempt in the twelfth minute, but continuing to play with confidence it looked likely that the Pirates would soon score again. Wings Rhodri McAtee and Brian Tuohy were both involved in the action, and eventually, following a sustained period of fine handling and support play, impressive flanker Blair Cowan crossed for an unconverted try on the left.
	Looking to increase their acquired lead, the Pirates did not have to wait long. Jones unluckily missed a mammoth penalty attempt, but with pressure piled upon Albion's rearguard a position was soon set from where he nonchalantly slotted a drop goal. Home supporters were delighted with what they were witnessing, and chants of 'Pirates, Pirates' that have been a little restrained this season, were now bellowed out at full volume. Approaching half-time the Pirates went down to 14 men when lock Heino Senekal was yellow-carded for illegally halting Albion's scrum-half Gregory Nicholls, who had attempted to break clear by taking a quick-tap penalty.
	However, no more points were scored before the break and the Pirates were more than deserving of their lead. Just two minutes into the second half the visitors had a wonderful chance to make numerical advantage count, but poor passing let them down when a score looked certain. At that stage of the game it was something they would rue, as having squandered a gifted opportunity to regain the lead, their position would be exacerbated as the Pirates responded to actually increase theirs.

Taking play back into their opponents half, a tackle from Jones forced full-back Scott Ireland into touch, which provided an opportunity smartly seized upon by Pirates hooker Rob Elloway.

The adjudged man of the match took a quick throw - a pass back to Griffiths who once again set off on one of his trademark bursts. Out from the posts the ball was fired to Jones, who had stepped into position ready to trigger another drop goal attempt, which was again on target.

When Senekal returned it was not long before Jones chanced another drop goal effort, but it rebounded off a post. However, with a penalty that quickly followed, he extended the Pirates lead to ten points. A penalty kick by Laidlaw tried to reduce the arrears, but his effort from 47 metres didn't quite have the legs, as the Pirates shortly after lost the services of full-back Adryan Winnan who had to depart proceedings injured. When the next score came, it was one worth waiting for, and it would go to the Pirates. Evans rose high to secure line-out possession, prop Alan Paver moved the ball to McAtee, and he in turn ran and off-loaded to replacement Paul Devlin who sprinted in at the clubhouse corner for an unconverted try.

At 22-7 the Pirates looked comfortable, but it was not over yet as Plymouth Albion came back into the match by taking play close to the Pirates line on the left. It was a time of now or never for the Devon team to get back into the game, and play not surprisingly became just that little more attritional.

The Pirates had to defend desperately, replacement prop Scott Franklin was dispatched to the sin bin, and when referee Mr. Hartwell's patience was further tested, he awarded a penalty try that was converted by Albion's replacement fly-half Alex Davies.

At 22-14 the Plymouth team had a sniff of a chance to get back into the game, but it was one then disrupted when there was a long break in play following a leg injury suffered by centre Matt Hopper, who had to be stretchered off.

On the resumption of play Jones was off target with another penalty attempt, but he more than made up for the miss by finishing the game in style. Firstly, he posted the rare achievement of kicking a third drop goal, and he then followed this up with an unconverted try that gave him a 20 points haul in the match.

After the game, many from the crowd either relaxed in the sunshine or sang along with the Cadgwith Singers. For Cornish Pirates supporters it was a time for celebration, but with caring words also for their counterparts from across the Tamar who face an anxious end of season.

Cornish Pirates:
A. Winnan (P. Devlin 56), B. Tuohy, M. Ireland, T. Luke, R. McAtee (S. Whatling 74),
R. Jones, N. Griffiths, M. Evans (B. Bedes 8-18, 83-89), C. Morgan (B. Bedes 71), B. Cowan,
B. Gulliver (capt), H. Senekal, S. Heard (S. Franklin 62), R. Elloway (D. Dawidiuk 86), A. Paver.

Replacements (not used): M. Burak, E. Fairhurst.

Yellow cards: Senekal, Franklin.

Plymouth Albion:
S. Ireland, L. Gibson, M. Hopper (R. Allan 76), A. Cruickshanks, J. Mensah-Coker
R. Laidlaw (A. Davies 62), G. Nicholls (M. Newman 68), M. Denbee, W. Sprangle, S-M. Stephen (G. Evans 89)
A. Brenton (capt), C. Stewart (K. Marriott 62), D. Porte (R. Hopkins 68), J. Owen, M. Rice.

Replacement (not used): G. Dawe.

Scorers:-

Cornish Pirates
Tries: Cowan, Devlin, Jones
Pens: Jones (2); drop goals: Jones (3).

Plymouth Albion:
Tries: Brenton, penalty try
Cons: Laidlaw, Davies.

Referee: Adrian Hartwell (RFU)

Man of the Match: Rob Elloway.

Attendance: 4,306.