An injury-time try scored by Nottingham's outstanding No. 8 Dan Montagu robbed the Pirates of a victory that they had strived so valiantly to achieve.

It was a defeat that was truly bitter pill to swallow for all involved in the Pirates set up, including the large contingent of travelling supporters who had journeyed to Nottingham for the weekend.

Rhys Jones

The Pirates got off to an encouraging start against one of the best sides in the league, and although fly-half Rhys Jones missed a lengthy penalty attempt in just the second minute, he made no mistake shortly after when awarded an easier opportunity. Matt Evans, recovered from injury and selected at No. 8, was busy and productive on his return, with there enterprise aplenty also shown by his colleagues. After an intercept by Rhodri McAtee hopes were raised of a try being scored, but a right to left transfer was brought to halt when fellow wing Brian Tuohy was hauled down at the corner.

The Pirates had further chances to add to their tally, but Jones was off target with two difficult penalty attempts.

Maintaining their dominance, the Pirates threatened to score once again when Tuohy this time chipped and chased in front of the crowd gathered in the main grandstand, but his off-load to McAtee was then adjudged to have gone forward.,

Entering the second quarter of the match, Nottingham had a chance to draw level, which they did. Centre Greig Tonks first went close with a penalty strike from 45 metres, but then struck the ball clean and true when the Pirates were penalised at the breakdown.

The home side was now playing with more control in their game, the direct approach from Montagu, lock Lee Morley and hooker Joe Duffey giving them some forward momentum.

Iva Motusaga

Thankfully, however, the Pirates defence was sound, and having kept Nottingham at bay they then counter-attacked through full-back Marika Vakacegu and scrum-half Nicky Griffiths, who unluckily slipped to ground as he ran clear into space. Nottingham, who had earlier in the match lost the services of injured scrum-half Tim Usasz, were still keen to play with flow if they chose, and could also keep it ably tight. Efforts were made to release wingers David Jackson and Alex Dodge, but it was at scrum time that they suddenly showed their strength. There was concern for the Cornish side when one particular scrummage crumpled, and it leaving flanker Sam Betty prostrate on the ground. Stretchered off, he was replaced by Iva Motusaga.

As the first half came to a close, Nottingham further upped the tempo as they looked for a score which would give them a half-time the lead, but for the moment they could not deliver. The Merry Men had their chances, but Tonks missed with a penalty attempt and the Pirates again showed their defensive qualities to nullify a driving maul.

For the start of the second half, the Pirates made just one change in personnel, with Jimmy Moore called off the bench to replace McAtee.

Nottingham still appeared in the ascendancy, as Montagu led their assault once more, but the Pirates were in no mood to give anything away. Indeed, playing in positive mode any mounting danger was again held, and they were soon working their way back up field. Griffiths directed operations, him laying the ball off to skipper Ben Gulliver who led the charge into Nottingham's '22'. Pressure created led to a penalty being awarded, it enabling Jones to give the Pirates back the lead, but it one soon cancelled out when Tonks was on target with his second successful penalty of the match.

Nicky Griffiths Try

Jones and Tonks landed a further penalty each, as the game started to boil up, which was no surprise from the level of physical confrontation witnessed. The Pirates had gone close on a couple of occasions, but a try had not yet been scored, which was a situation about to change. Motusaga was all energy and action as he scrambled his way to a position just out from the Nottingham posts, and from a scrummage that followed the excellent Griffiths scored on the right. Jones converted and soon after added a penalty to put the Pirates deservedly 19-9 up.

Appearing in control, the Pirates now introduced more replacements, but it was a gamble. Their hope must have been to consolidate their position, or even build upon their acquired lead, as had looked possible. What the last 10 plus minutes would bring, nobody could answer with certainty, but it would inevitably be tense.

And what did happen? Well, helped by the inability of the Pirates to clear the ball to safety when opportunities arose, Nottingham took full advantage to deflate the visitors - both on and off the field. When the Pirates failed to clear their line, the Green & Whites held territorial advantage from where their recharged power pack caused havoc at scrum time, and it no surprise that referee Mr. Doyle awarded the home team a penalty try which Tonks converted.

Yes, the Pirates still held the lead, but the script for defeat was already written.

It was no surprise to see Nottingham rumble a maul menacingly towards the Pirates line, and it was equally no surprise that Montagu, after the referee had consulted with his assistant, was awarded what was a match-winning, converted try.

When the final whistle sounded, the disappointment was immense. The Pirates had put themselves into a position to record an outstanding win, but it was not to be, it as if all the effort, and there had been so much to admire, had cruelly been for nothing. A bonus point had been secured, but on this day it unfortunately provided precious little consolation.

Nottingham:
A. Savage, D. Jackson, J. Cobden, G. Tonks, A. Dodge, T. Taylor (B. Thompson 78), T. Usasz (C. Pilgrim 15), D. Montagu, L. Sherriff, C. Hammond (capt), N. Rouse, L. Morley (A. Elphinston 59), D. Cole, J. Duffey, M. Parr (R. Harris 38-39, 59).

Replacements (not used): N. Fowkes, D. Hemingway, T. Youngs.

Cornish Pirates:
M. Vakacegu, R. McAtee (J. Moore h/t), P. Devlin, T. Luke (S. Winn 69), B. Tuohy, R. Jones (S. Whatling 69), N. Griffiths (E. Fairhurst 69), M. Evans, S. Betty (I. Motusaga 35), C. Morgan, B. Gulliver (capt), S. Raven, S. Heard (P. Andrew 76), R. Elloway, P. Cook (D. Seal 59).

Scorers

Nottingham - tries: penalty try, Montagu; cons: Tonks (2); pens: Tonks (3)

Cornish Pirates - try: Griffiths; con: Jones; pens: Jones (4)

Referee: JP Doyle (RFU) Attendance: 1,705