| | | | | Doncaster
Knights 24 Cornish Pirates 24
Saturday October 18th 2008 Phil
Westren |
It was said pre-match
that the Pirates travelled to Doncaster on a mission, in part to preserve an amazing
record of never having been beaten in seven previous encounters played between
the teams, but more importantly to play in a manner which would boost morale in
what has been a frustrated Cornish camp of late. Did
they succeed in their aims? Well, yes they did, the draw the very least they deserved,
but the real bonus being in the performance. Despite play
being just a little scrappy in the opening stages, there was no lack of commitment,
and especially at the tackle area. The visitors had the
first chance to open the scoring in the eighth minute, but fly-half Rhys Jones
missed from close range. It was a disappointment, and to be exacerbated when,
after full-back Anthony Carter countered to take the Knights up field, Jones'
opposite number Jamie Lennard made no mistake with a penalty opportunity that
came his way. A second penalty chance for Jones soon followed,
which he this time successfully slotted. It was a score to boost confidence as
the Pirates proceeded to dominate, their back-row trio busy, and centre Tom Luke
a stand out performer against his former Castle Park colleagues. To
their credit Doncaster held firm at the back, and when an opportunity came to
kick a penalty to the corner, with their choice to go for a catch and drive, they
made the Pirates pay. Keeping on their feet, and with half an hour on the clock,
their push for the line refused to be thwarted and flanker Simon Grainger made
the line for a try. The able Lennard added the conversion, but was just off target
with a penalty attempt that soon followed. As the half drew
to a close the Pirates at last got the ball out wide to wings Rhodri McAtee and
Brian Tuohy, both who looked dangerous and it now offering a pointer as to how
the Pirates might play it in the second period. Adjudged
unlucky to arrive at the interval 10-3 down, an early score in the second half
would be sought, but it was the men from Donny who were sharp out of the blocks.
The Pirates were under siege from the Knights, with full-back Adryan Winnan making
a vital tackle on his opposite number Carter. Lock Heino Senekal and scrum-half
Ed Fairhurst also defended stoutly, but the mounting pressure was to ultimately
tell, for Lennard to spot a gap and score an unconverted try. Now
was a test of character for the Pirates, it important for them to maintain their
self-belief and hopefully score next, which they did. Centre Paul Devlin made
a fine run which drew the home defence, before the ball was off-loaded to McAtee
who showed a clean pair of heels to zip in for a try which was well converted
by Jones. Considering the mental pressure that has mounted
on the Pirates these past few weeks, this was a performance which now showed genuine
signs of resurgence, and it not to be forgotten that it was away to a very good
Doncaster side which was fifth in the league and were unbeaten at home this term. Two
more penalties for Lennard further tested the Pirates credentials, but their response
was again encouraging. Yes, an initial chance of a second try went begging, but
one was delivered shortly after with Luke well involved before McAtee scampered
over for another converted score. With a quarter of an hour
left to play, and with fresh leg now being introduced, everything was boiling
up for a thrilling and surely tense finale. Replacements
Nicky Griffiths and Jimmy Moore were in the action right away as the Pirates,
who were playing with tremendous control, took play steadily closer to the Doncaster
line. A third try looked 'on', and it was duly delivered as injury-time approached
with flanker Iva Motusaga identified as the scorer. Jones, looking relaxed and
confident, added the extras. The Pirates were now three
points ahead, with the scoreline reading 21-24, but what drama would the remaining
minutes bring? Nobody knew, of course, but there was still enough time to add
a couple more twists to this particular match tale. When
a penalty was awarded Doncaster, the Pirates shook their heads in disbelief, it
coolly kicked by Lennard from 35 metres out to draw the scores level. From
the restart, the Pirates strived to work their way deep enough into Donny's half
to create one final scoring opportunity, and Jones worthily attempted a drop goal,
which was charged down. The final whistle soon followed, with this drawn match
one from which the Pirates, both individually and collectively, will take so much
from. Coach Mark Hewitt was delighted with the effort from
his team. After a first half when the Pirates perhaps kicked too much, he was
especially pleased to see the ball moved wide in the second period, where it showed
that there is pace to do real damage. There were also words of praise for the
part paid by the travelling supporters, all of whom will be begging their team
to take another step forward against Moseley this coming Sunday 26th October,
when the kick-off time at Camborne will now be at 2.30pm.
Doncaster:
A. Carter, W. Davies, H. Tonga'uiha (G. Hughes 68), B. Armitage, D. Van Vuuren
J. Lennard, J. Albinson, J. Afu (N. Cochrane 51), S. Grainger, B. Griffiths
G. Kenworthy (capt), D. Smith, N. Tau (M. Cusack 45), S. Boden, R. List (T. Davies
71).
Replacements (not used): T. Toke, C. Hallam, A. Warnock.
Cornish
Pirates:
A. Winnan, B. Tuohy, P. Devlin (S. Winn 66), T. Luke, R. McAtee (J.
Moore 67)
R. Jones, E. Fairhurst (N. Griffiths 66), B. Bedes, I. Motusaga,
C. Morgan
B. Gulliver (capt - M. Burak 48), H. Senekal, S. Heard (S. Franklin
55)
R. Elloway (D. Dawidiuk 71), A. Paver (P. Cook 70). Scorers:-
Doncaster - tries: Grainger, Lennard; con: Lennard;
pens: Lennard (4). Cornish Pirates - tries: McAtee (2),
Motusaga; cons: Jones (3); pen: Jones. Referee: Dean Richards
(RFU) Attendance: 1,102
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