Back to league action following their EDF Energy National Trophy Round 4 win against Southend, the Cornish Pirates duly delivered with the bonus point win expected on Sunday against bottom of the table Manchester.

It was a game that some felt might not take place because of the wet weather experienced of late, but no worries. Despite the damage inflicted upon it the previous week, and the fact that Camborne had played a league game there on Saturday, the 'Rec' was in amazingly good condition, and it quite fit enough for the players to perform.

Right from the kick-off the Mancunians threatened at the scoreboard corner of the ground. The Pirates were put under considerable pressure, but were then grateful for a bone-shaker of a tackle made by flanker Chris Morgan, and a relief providing kick out of hand by fly-half Rhys Jones, that helped repulse the visitors.

Conditions were a little slippery underfoot, but it not preventing Manchester's Ed Norris from breaking clear. Striding towards the posts a try looked a 'cert', but no, as a shuddering tackle this time from full-back Marika Vakacegu stopped the lock in his tracks as he looked for support.

To their credit, the visitors did lack confidence, and it the turn next of Joseph Knowles to set alarm bells ringing. The Pirates appeared to have their feet glued to the surface as the full-back ran into open space, but another scoring chance was lost when his pass to support was knocked on.

With a quarter of an hour gone, the Pirates managed to at last put some meaningful phases together, and it bringing immediate reward. Their fine inter-passing ended with wing Rhodri McAtee avoiding defenders and then wriggling from a tackle to stretch and score. Jones looked to add the conversion, but his effort just missed, as did a penalty strike soon after. Indeed, this was to be a day when kicks from both teams would remain luckless, as all other attempts made during the rest of the game would also fail.

When scrum-half Nicky Griffiths had to leave the field injured, he was replaced by Ed Fairhurst who was immediately involved at the heart of match action. Marshalling the pack in front of him, and the distributor then to the backs, the Pirates were able to create space on the left which enabled wing Brian Tuohy to set off on a 40 metres run that would take him all the way to the corner for an unconverted try.

The Pirates were now in top gear, and were certainly playing what would be their best rugby in the match, as was confirmed when flanker Iva Motusaga scored a try on the right which resulted from forwards and backs having worked wonderfully in tandem.

Happy that their side were 15-0 up at half-time, supporters also enjoyed the 7-a-side exhibition of rugby played during the break. This was linked through the 'Bolingey Barbarians', who are better know for their veterans rugby, but have now also given their name to youth rugby in Cornwall under the direction of Mike Bratt, the RDO for Cornwall. Mike refereed the half-time game which involved young players representing Liskeard-Looe, the Pirates, Redruth and St. Ives, whilst the senior Barbarians shaked buckets about to collect for the 'Precious Lives Appeal'.

On resumption of the main Pirates v Manchester game the Pirates looked suitably hungry for the bonus point providing fourth try sought, and it was not long coming. Man of the match hooker Rob Elloway made a typical bustling run, and from the platform set the ball was worked right to enable the impressive Vakacegu to dive in at the corner.

There was surely now every chance that the Pirates would further dominate on-field events, but Manchester had other ideas. They had introduced a couple of replacements at half-time, and one of them, bulky centre Scott Rawlings, soon made his mark with a strong carry down the left. A position was set from where the visitors pressed to score, which they did when prop Dan Birchall, who was just about to be replaced, had just enough time to burrow over for a try.

Into the last quarter of the game, Manchester scored again, as the Pirates appeared mesmerized when a flowing passage of play was finished off with a super try scored by centre Andre Wilson.

With the scoreline reading 20-10, home supporters could now be forgiven if they felt just a little bit tense. It was undoubtedly wake up time, with it essential that the Pirates scored quickly again. Their overall dominance was clear, but more points on the board were needed. Kiwi Blair Cowan, who had made his first appearance for the club against Southend, was now impressing on his league debut, and it was he who scored the final points of the afternoon, when he was on hand to power over for a try to the left of the posts.

Cornish Pirates:
M. Vakacegu, R. McAtee (J. Moore 53), M. Ireland, T. Luke (S. Winn 61), B. Tuohy, R. Jones (S. Whatling 61), N. Griffiths (E. Fairhurst 27), M. Evans, I. Motusaga (B. Cowan 49), C. Morgan, B. Gulliver (capt), S. Raven, S. Heard (P. Andrew 72), R. Elloway (D. Dawidiuk 58), P. Cook.

Manchester:
J. Knowles, J. Irlam, A. Wilson, C. Parrot (S. Rawlings h/t), M. O'Regan (G. Wynne 75), T. Eaton (R. Wainwright 36), W. Runciman, M. Owen, G. Dew (C. Baldwin 75), S. Williams (G. Lewis h/t), E. Norris, D. Collier, N. Flynn (capt), R. Oxley (C. Wilson 75), D. Birchall (T. Mantell 57).

Referee: Paul Knowles (RFU)

Man of the match: Rob Elloway

Attendance: 2,068