Match
Day Sponsor: Kernow Model Railway - Match Ball Sponsor: Dulux Decorator Centres | | | Cornish
Pirates 20 Nottingham 31
Sunday September 28th 2008 Phil
Westren |
Despite
a fine hat-trick scored by full-back Marika Vakacegu, the Merry Men of Nottingham
still managed to ultimately claim the spoils from this match, and thus totally
frustrate the Pirates team and their supporters. Leading
the Cornish Pirates for the first time was lock Ben Gulliver, the side showing
a number of changes from the one that won narrowly at Otley the previous weekend.
Dan Seal, at tight-head prop, made his first league start of the season, him replacing
Sam Heard, whilst in the back-row Frenchman Bertrand Bedes was unfortunately unavailable.
The big No. 8 has made a big impression since his arrival in Cornwall, but was
married on Saturday in Narbonne. His place in the middle of the back-row was filled
by Matt Evans who, with others, was surely keen to impress. 
| In
the outsides Marika Vakacegu moved from wing to full-back in place of Adryan Winnan,
with the Fijian's place out wide taken by Rhodri McAtee. At
fly-half Doug Sanft, who kicked kicked three penalties and two conversions against
Exeter Chiefs, was recalled in place of Rhys Jones. With
there an impromtu helicopter fly-past pre-match, and with the excellent Camborne
Youth Band providing the musical entertainment, the scene was set to enjoy an
enjoyable afternoon of rugby, with the Pirates taking control at the very start. |
Visiting
skipper Craig Hammond, an influential Kiwi flanker, appeared to have high-tackled
Vakacegu in the opening seconds, and was perhaps fortunate not to have been yellow-carded. The
Pirates backs and forwards moved the ball at pace, creating a tempo that Nottingham
struggled to cope with, and after a quick tap and go from scrum-half Ed Fairhurst,
a yellow card was now shown when visiting prop Matt Parr was sent to the sin bin.
Nine minutes had passed, as up stepped fly-half Doug Sanft to slot the simple
penalty of offer and put the Pirates 3-nil ahead. Nottingham's full-back
Dave Jackson had the chance soon after to level the scores, but his effort was
mis-cued to the left of the posts, as the Pirates continued to play with confidence.
Lock Gulliver along with flankers Bruce Cumming and Iva Motusaga were at the heart
of the forward effort, whilst Fairhurst and centre Tom Luke were sparking the
backs. 
| In
the eighteenth minute the Pirates positive efforts were rewarded when, following
a superb passage of play, Vakacegu joined proceedings to impressively score on
the right. Jackson had two more easier penalty chances to
get points on the board for his side, but he was again off target. However,
Nottingham were now starting to impose themselves, and as they started to find
their feet the Pirates suffered a set-back when Cumming departed injured. |
Approaching
half-time Cumming's replacement Chris Morgan was yellow-carded, and Nottingham
winger Jack Cobden squeezed in at the scoreboard corner for a try which left the
half-time score reading 8-5 to the Pirates. Starting the
second half with 14 men, it was vital that the Pirates strived to give nothing
away, but their performance could not match their will . Gifting the 'Green &
Whites' possession, the grateful visitors played with control and precision, conjuring
up tries for Jackson and fly-half Tim Taylor, both of which Jackson converted.
When Morgan returned, it was not long before Nottingham
were down to 14 men for the second time in the match, as prop Nigel Hall was dispatched
to the sin bin. 
| Sanft
had a penalty chance to reduce the arrears, but his effort just missed. The
home team needed a lift, and they did not have to wait long, an incisive run by
wing Rhodri McAtee given support by Vakacegu who went over for his second try
of the afternoon, and it one this time converted by Sanft. When
replacements were introduced they immediately made an impact, lock Heino Senekal,
prop Scott Franklin (who was making his National One league debt), and hooker
Darren Dawidiuk all importantly involved in creating Vakacegu's hat-trick score,
which was rapturously applauded. | | Hat
Trick For Marika Vakacegu | |
Although
the try remained unconverted, the Pirates were at least back in front, the position
similar to that which they found themselves against Exeter just two weeks previously.
In that game they could not hold on, as the Chiefs hit back and won the match,
there now prayers offered that there would be no such repeat. Nottingham
regained the lead with a try in the right corner scored by replacement wing Andrew
Savage, with the Pirates unlucky not to hit back all but immediately when first
Vakacegu countered with a double kick and chase ahead, and then a scything run
from McAtee was halted by what many thought was a high tackle. Nobody could
deny that the Pirates were seemingly giving it their all, but there then a killer
blow delivered by Nottingham's replacement prop Robbie Harris, who was suddenly
gifted a clear 25 metres run to the posts for a try converted by Jackson. For
the Pirates, September had ended on a sad note, with the frustration felt understandable.
Cornish
Pirates:
M. Vakacegu, A. Havili (M. Ireland 77), P. Devlin, T. Luke
(S. Winn 75), R. McAtee, D. Sanft
E. Fairhurst, M. Evans, I. Motusaga, B. Cumming
(C. Morgan 34), B. Gulliver (capt),
M. Burak (H. Senekal 46), D. Seal (S. Franklin
56), R. Elloway (D. Dawidiuk 64), A. Paver. Replacement (not used): N. Griffiths. Yellow
card: Morgan Nottingham:
D. Jackson, J.
Cobden (A. Savage 64), R. Nirmalendran, T. Molenaar, A. Dodge, T. Taylor
R.
Usasz (C. Pilgrim 68), D. Montagu (R. Harris 60-62), L. Sherriff (R. Harris 11-21),
C. Hammond (capt), N. Rouse, L. Morley (S. MacDonald 64), N. Hall (R. Harris 64),
J. Duffey, M. Parr. Replacements (not used): J. Clarke, C. Eggleshaw, B.
Thompson. Yellow cards: Parr, Hall.
Scorers:- Cornish
Pirates
Tries: Vakacegu (3) - con: Sanft - pen: Sanft. Nottingham
Tries: Cobden, Jackson, Taylor, Savage, Harris - cons: Jackson (3)
Referee:
Lyr Apgeraint-Roberts Man of the match: Marika Vakacegu Attendance:
2,725 |
