At a colourful, flag-framed Camborne ground, the Cornish Pirates put in an almighty effort, both on and off the field, but without getting the the reward that was arguably deserved.

The weather did its best to spoil the club's first St. Piran's Festival, but a spirit prevailed that still made sure it was a more than worthy event As kick-off approached, members of the inimitable Falmouth Marine Band were at their glorious best, entertaining the big crowd as they led a giant pasty parade to the posts at the clubhouse end of the ground. A cannon was fired, it a signal for the pasty to be hoisted up and over the crossbar, this all but theatre, with the stage set for kick-off. Playing with a strong, but what would also prove an often gusty and swirling wind at their backs, the Pirates had an opportunity to open the scoring in just the second minute. The chance gifted fly-half Rhys Jones would have been easy enough on any other day, but perhaps not so on this one, and so it proved as his strike swayed just off target.

Still, the Pirates maintained pressure on their opponents with wing Jimmy Moore's dash on the right cut short as he looked to go over at the corner. Further bursts with ball in hand by skipper Ben Gulliver and centre Mark Ireland maintained the pressure on their opponents, but the Bedford defence held firm.

When another penalty was awarded the Pirates, a decision for Jones to kick at goal was a just one, even though his attempt would be from four metres inside his own half. It certainly had the distance, but was again taken off course and went this time just to the left of the posts.

Despite the conditions, the handling and passing was surprisingly good, with fine support play from both teams. The commitment was also brutal, with lock Heino Senekal, who had proudly led the Pirates onto the field for his 100th game, straining every sinew for the Pirates cause. Flanker Iva Motusaga was also fully committed, along with fullback Adryan Winnan.

In the Blues side skipper Dan Richmond led his troops by example, with excellent support from No. 8 Paul Tupai and wing Will Harries. The latter made one threatening counter attack, as the home crowd felt concern that the Pirates were failing to register any points with the advantage of the elements.

At half-time approached the visitors would have been delighted with the 0-0 scoreline, and they might even have taken a damaging lead had wing Ian Davey not knocked the ball on at the clubhouse corner.

Everyone knew that a tough second half lay ahead, but were at the same time content during the interval to sit back and enjoy on-field dancing provided by a brave, willing and gifted group of young dancers from Redruth Amateur Operatic Society. Theirs is the oldest such society in Cornwall, whose show '100 Stars for 100 Years', takes place at the Regal Theatre from the 18th-21st March.

Back to the match action, both teams were again fully committed, this a game that was always going to be be hard-fought, and close. But who would break the deadlock?

With fifty minutes on the clock, the Pirates were penalised and the Blues were given their chance. Bedford's fly-half Billy Twelvetrees, their equal top try-scorer and expected kicker, was temporarily absent with a blood injury, so up stepped centre Brendan Burke. In the conditions there was still anything but any guarantee of success, but his effort took a course through the posts to give the visitors a lead.

Home scrum-half Nicky Griffiths looked to put some extra 'pep' into proceedings, as the Pirates searched for a score themselves, and they worked their way into Bedford's '22' through the efforts of man of the match Senekal and flanker Chris Morgan.

Edging their way even closer to the line, No. 8 Bertrand Bedes fed Griffiths off the back of a scrum, and suddenly space opened up for Jones to dance his way to the line. His conversion attempt straight into the wind was not easy, and it not surprisingly missed, but the Pirates were at least ahead. It was now a case of could they hold on?

A wholehearted effort had kept the Pirates in contention, and a lead was now theirs that they had absolutely no wish to relinquish. There was an obvious feeling that a celebratory day might just end in the fashion sought, but it cruelly proved otherwise. The Blues heads had also refused to drop, and when they forced the Pirates to concede a kickable penalty, the seemingly inevitable happened. Twelvetrees was by now restored to action, and it was he who duly posted the kick that ultimately gave Bedford the narrowest of victories.

Defeat was a 'bitter pill to swallow', and an understandable disappointment, the renewed determination and focus now moving to this coming weekend's game at home to Esher.

Cornish Pirates:
A. Winnan, P. Devlin, M. Ireland, S. Winn (T. Luke 70), J. Moore
R. Jones, N. Griffiths, B. Bedes, I. Motusaga, C. Morgan (B. Cowan 70)
B. Gulliver (capt, M. Burak 75), H. Senekal, S. Heard (S. Franklin 67), D. Dawidiuk, A. Paver.

Replacements (not used): R. Elloway, E. Fairhurst, S. Whatling.

Bedford Blues:
W. Harries, O. Dodge, B. Burke, I. Vass (L. Roberts 71), I. Davey
W. Twelvetrees (N. Walshe 48-57), K. Dickson (N. Walshe 80+4), P. Tupai (R. McKay 71), S. Harding, G. Gillanders,
M. Botha, M. Howard (J. Cannon 62), P. Boulton, D. Richmond (capt, C. Locke 60-67),
S. Walsh (M. Cecere 62).

Replacement (not used): R. Owen.

Scorers:
Cornish Pirates - try: Jones.

Pirates  Scorers

Rhys Jones

1 Try

Bedford Blues
Pens: Burke, Twelvetrees.

Referee: Keith Lewis (RFU)

Man of the Match: Heino Senekal

Attendance: 4,764.