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| Second Half Comeback Lifts Morale | |||||||||||||||||||||
In a match when the Cornish Pirates looked down and out at half-time, there was much to admire in their second half performance. Indeed, having come back to take a one point lead after being 22-3 down at the break, an unlikely chance of victory was genuinely theirs before the Chiefs found their form again at the end to ultimately emerge deserved winners.
Play flowed from end to end, with Sanft's pass to Havili on the left providing an opportunity for the large crowd to witness an example of the pace expected from the powerful Tongan. However, when the Chiefs countered the Pirates were penalised for not releasing, it gifting an opportunity for Steenson to now open the scoring. His penalty strike from 35 metres out was well within his range, it successfully slotted, as was also a second penalty chance that soon followed.
The Pirates endeavoured to respond through the efforts of Havili, No. 8 Bertrand Bedes, lock Heino Senekal and scrum-half Ed Fairhurst, and when a position was created from where a penalty chance was awarded in front of the Exeter posts, Sanft duly kicked the points on offer. Three points gained, from the restart sadly it was a case of three then being given away, as Steenson was given another penalty opportunity, which he took, as he did with the very last kick of the half, that a thumper of a penalty struck from over five metres inside his own half, which made the scoreline read 3-22. The home crowd were understandably despondent, knowing now that if their team was to have any chance of getting back into this match then they would need to score early in the second half. When the action resumed, there were immediate signs that a likely half-time 'pep' talk had done no harm, with determined wing Marika Vakacegu unlucky not to gather the ball and go clear to the scoreboard corner.
Down to 14 men, the visitors could then quite easily have then had a second player sent off, which would have really made it interesting, but awarded a penalty the Pirates were at least able to apply themselves with continuing force and vigour at the clubhouse corner.
Could the home team hang on? The answer, unfortunately, was no, as the match was to end with the Pirates cruelly denied even a bonus point after a converted try from Drauniniu was followed up by a sixth penalty of the match from Steenson. This Saturday the Pirates will literally make a flying visit to Otley, knowing that they must display more of what was seen in the second half against Exeter, and realising also that it is a game that they simply must win. Cornish Pirates: Replacement (not used): N. Griffiths. Exeter
Chiefs: Yellow card: R. Baxter. Scorers Cornish Pirates - tries: Motusaga (2); cons: Sanft (2); Pens: Sanft (3). Exeter Chiefs - tries: Marsden, Drauniniu; cons: Steenson (2); pens: Steenson (6). Referee: Rowan Kitt (RFU) Man of the match: Bertrand Bedes Attendance:
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