That
the league leaders deserved this win, there was no doubt. However, the margin
of victory was somewhat flattering, as a gallant Pirates effort only faded at
the end of a committed contest. The home team looked to take control
of the game right from the start, but the Pirates in turn looked very much up
for the challenge. Steve Winn was as busy as ever in the tackle area, where support
was also given by lively lock Mike Burak. | | |  | 
 | | With
five minutes on the clock the Pirates were awarded a penalty on halfway which
fly-half Rhys Jones opted to kick at goal. To many it might have appeared speculative,
but the young man struck the ball clean and true to give the visitors an early
3-0 lead. The score from the boot of Jones prompted
the home side to seemingly up the physicality, which was especially evident at
scrum time, and when former Pirates favourite Alberto Di Bernardo had an opportunity
to level matters in the eleventh minute, he duly did just that with a penalty
slotted from 28 metres. From the restart the Pirates took
the game to their Yorkshire opponents, with the back-row trio of Matt Evans, Chris
Morgan and Blair Cowan to the fore. Leeds actually appeared a little rattled,
with it already looking likely that this game would be as close as other memorable
games played between the two clubs in recent seasons. The
Cornish team's defence looked sound as it ably dealt with the running threat of
wing Richard Welding. However, when a second kickable penalty was conceded, Di
Bernardo 's successful effort made it 6-3. Still matching
their opponents for effort, the Pirates responded with confidence as scrum-half
Ed Fairhurst took play close to the Leeds line. Gaining such territorial advantage
raised hopes of a further Pirates score being created, but when a penalty was
given away the hosts were able to clear their line The Cornish
Pirates were then forced to reshuffle their midfield when Winn had to leave the
field injured, but if his loss was a blow, then worse immediately followed after
Leeds flanker Calum Clark opened up space in midfield. The England U20s captain
off-loaded to supporting centre Jonny Hepworth and full-back Leigh Hinton scored
a converted try out wide. Now would be a test of character
for the Cornish Pirates side. They needed to score next and thankfully did so
when Jones kicked his second well-struck penalty in the match after a Leeds player
had been caught offside. |
The
score seemed to engergize the Pirates still further, who were keen to get back
on even terms before the break. Good play from replacement centre Tom Luke, skipper
Ben Gulliver, and a bullocking run from prop Sam Heard raised morale, before in
the final seconds of the half it looked as if the Pirates were about to score
a certain try. | | | | 
 | | Flanker
Morgan had a clear run for the line, but to the dismay and disbelief of all in
the Pirates camp, the referee apparently whistled for a knock-on. It appeared
a cruel decision in the context of the match, and it was evident that on-lookers
were completely mystified.
They had otherwise enjoyed a pulsating, entertaining and even first forty minutes,
and although the Pirates were behind (13-6), they were nevertheless clearly still
in with a shout. On resumption of play the commitment
level was still intense, but Leeds, led by American international prop Mike MacDonald,
tried to play it tighter. An early score was sought by
the Pirates, and it was about to be delivered. Luke made a crunching tackle, a
scrum to the Pirates followed, and the ball reached Jones who, to the surprise
of all, snapped a magnificent drop goal which narrowed the deficit to just four
points. It was not long before a flurry of replacements
were introduced, when it was hoped that Pirates hitherto kept on the bench would
soon have an influence on proceedings. There was certainly
every possibility, but the on field flow was broken because of a number of injuries
that arose. Also, it must be said, that in Leeds' replacement prop Fosi Pala'amo,
besides the familiar face of Vili Ma'asi, they had a potent ball carrier who was
starting to make an impact. A penalty kicked by Di Bernardo
extended Leeds Carnegie's lead, but the Pirates stayed in contention as play built
to what would surely be a tense finale. The chance of at least achieving a bonus
point looked possible, as they were certainly putting up an heroic defensive display. As
the minutes ticked away it looked as if Leeds would simply maintain their unbeaten
home record and settle for a narrow win, but this was a game about to end in a
more dramatic fashion. A converted try from replacement centre Scott Barrow ensured
victory for the home side, but could they now better it? |
Well,
the answer was 'yes', as a Lee Blackett try now gave the hosts a sniff of a chance
at securing what could be a vital fourth try bonus point, and one of importance
in relation to their contest with Exeter Chiefs, who they were about to leapfrog
back into top spot. Injury-time had inevitably been lengthy, and
it just long enough for Leeds to secure the fourth try sought, which was a scored
by replacement back-rower Danny Paul. The conversion from Di Bernardo missed,
but the final scoreline of 33-9 was one that still somehow belied belief. To a
man the Pirates had given their all, and they could hold their heads high, each
knowing that a glance at the scoreboard gave a less than fair reflection of the
game. Speaking at the end of the game, Cornish Pirates coach Brett Davey
said: "We were bitterly disappointed that our 'try'
was disallowed just on half-time, as there was no knock-on. The boys defended
well, as they knew they had to, and there was little between the two teams until
right at the end."
Leeds
Carnegie:
L. Hinton, R. Welding (J. Goodridge 71), J. Hepworth, H. Paul
(S. Barrow 53), L. Blackett
A. Di Bernardo, J. Bedford (S. Mathie 57), R.
Oakley (D. Paul 64), C. Clark, J. Dunbar,
J. Pendlebury, E. Lund, T. McGee
(F. Pala'amo 52), R. Rawlinson (V. Ma'asi 52), M. MacDonald (capt). Replacement
(not used): A. Boyde. Cornish Pirates:
A. Winnan, R. McAtee,
P. Devlin, S. Winn (T. Luke 32), B. Tuohy
R. Jones, E. Fairhurst (N. Griffiths
57, E. Fairhurst 72-79), M. Evans (I. Motusaga 62-69, M. Burak 80), C. Morgan,
B. Cowan,
B. Gulliver (capt), Mike Burak (H. Senekal 52), S. Heard (A. Paver
52), R. Elloway (D. Dawidiuk 50), P. Cook (S. Franklin 52). Scorers:- Leeds
Carnegie
Ttries: Hinton, Barrow, Blackett, D. Paul
Cons: Di Bernardo
(2); pens: Di Bernardo (3). Cornish Pirates
Pens: Jones (2);
drop goal: Jones. Referee: Lyr Apgeraint-Roberts (RFU). Attendance:
3,806.
|
