Cornish Pirates

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	Esher 3 Cornish Pirates 19 Saturday November 8th Phil Westren

A week ahead of their eagerly awaited home match against unbeaten league leaders Leeds Carnegie, this win for the Cornish Pirates, though not spectacular, was still one that provided a hushed level of satisfaction.

Pre-match it might have been wet and dull at Esher's Pillar Data Arena ground, but the spirits were lifted by the travelling supporters, it a group that included many exiles, 'Press Gang' members, and Cadgwith Singers, all who gathered to sing heartily in Surrey and to also enjoy their pasty lunch.

At kick-off time it was up to the team to play their part, and they certainly got off to a bright enough start on a rain-soaked and now floodlit pitch. In a ferocious opening two minutes the Pirates were in blitz mode, with it no surprise that such applied pressure duly forced Esher to give a penalty away. A kick at goal was the obvious choice, and up stepped fly-half Rhys Jones who casually slotted the simple chance on offer. A drop goal attempt from Jones was off target, but as the half developed the Pirates continued to dominate play. Their scrum was again impressive, and especially on Esher's put in.

There was relief when Esher's full-back Neil Hallett, their leading points scorer, missed a relatively easy penalty kick which would have levelled the scores, but it would have been very much against the run of play.

Skipper Adryan Winnan was again inspirational, and wing Marika Vakacegu, who was making a welcome return from injury, also looked a threat with the limited ball that came his way. In truth, however, the Pirates had enough sets of possession from where more scoring opportunities should have been created, even allowing for the fact that the conditions of the day were not easy.

Jones, who had kicked well from hand and was 'managing' the game pretty well, missed his second penalty attempt at goal, but made no mistake when another came his way to give the Pirates a 6-0 half-time lead.

To their credit, the 'EEEs' had shown a nuggety determination, with a Hallett penalty just four minutes into the second period giving them a morale-boosting lift. Devon scrum-half Ian Barnes and England U20s fly-half Seb Jewell were a plucky pairing, and Canadian centre Chuck Baumberg also looked a useful performer.

In the 54th minute the Pirates extended their lead once more, when Jones stepped forward to kick his third penalty of the afternoon, but there was better still to come.

The chance of the Pirates scoring four tries on such a day was remote, but they did conjure up two, with the first a truly fabulous effort.

It was on the hour mark, a time when fresh legs and extra fitness were factors that could come into play, but with it the skill factor that stood out.

Having stolen Esher's line-out ball, and then shortly after taking a scrum against the head, scrum-half Nicky Griffiths zipped away on the sharpest of breakouts. Centre Steve Winn gave support and carried and held the ball perfectly before timing his pass to wing Brian Tuohy who raced over for an unconverted try out wide. The second try, which would prove the final score of the game in the 71st minute, was also a worthy effort, with Griffiths once again an instigator. His chip and chase to the line was sloppily defended by an Esher defender, gifting the opportunity for Tuohy follow up and gratefully apply the pressure to record his second try of the afternoon.

Unbeaten now after four games, the Cornish Pirates ended this game no doubt delighted with their victory, and especially pleased that their line had held intact. Also, importantly, they will feel that confidence is steadily being restored and that in general they are going in the right direction.

Esher:
N. Hallett, D. Flockhart, M. Barbini, C. Baumberg, T. Lozides (R. Henderson 71)
S. Jewell, I. Barnes (J. Simpson 61), M. Blakeburn, S. Stitcher, L. Starling (S. Renwick 53)
A. Ayling, J. Waterhouse (S. Walker 61), C. Hannon (J. Pearson 53)
K. Corrigan (S. Goldmsith 61), D. Millard (J. Tubasei 65).

Cornish Pirates:
A. Winnan (capt), B. Tuohy, P. Devlin (M. Ireland 65), S. Winn (T. Luke 61), M. Vakacegu
R. Jones, N. Griffiths, B. Bedes (M. Evans 58), S. Betty (I. Motusaga 58), C. Morgan
B. Gulliver, H. Senekal, S. Franklin (D. Seal 45), D. Dawidiuk, A. Paver (P. Cook 64).

Replacement (not used): R. McAtee.

Scorers:-

Esher - pen: Hallett.

Cornish Pirates - tries: Tuohy (2) - pens: Jones (3).

Referee: Keith Lewis (RFU).

Attendance: 589.