Cornish Pirates

		Match Day Pix
	Cornish Pirates 28 Rotherham 32 Sunday October 12th Phil Westren

An injury-time try scored by Rotherham flanker Ryan Burrows truly broke Cornish hearts at the 'Rec' on Sunday.

It came from a break out attack after the Pirates had given their all in an effort to cross their opponents line, which, if they had delivered, would likely have earned them the win that both the team and their supporters so desperately sought. Sadly, it was not to be.

On an autumn's afternoon that resembled high summer, and with Cornish Pirates prop forward Dan Seal given the fully deserved honour of leading the team on to the field as a mark of celebration for him having recently passed the 200 games mark for the club (a wonderful and remarkable achievement in the modern era), the scene was surely set for something special.

"On an autumn's afternoon that resembled high summer"

From the start the Yorkshire visitors wasted no time to play with a level of confidence acquired from having amassed 106 points in back-to-back wins in their last two outings. Taking play to the clubhouse corner in just the second minute, wing Errie Claassens and full-back Mike Whitehead formed a potent double act, with skipper Whitehead receiving the plaudits for a try he scored which was converted by fly-half Tom Barlow.

Barlow and scrum-half partner Neil Chivers were two former Pirates in the visiting line-up, them keen to impress, and doing so, and Barlow soon after adding a penalty goal.

The Pirates need to respond, with Seal setting the example as the Pirates tore into the Titans half. When the ball was moved swiftly through the hands a try was surely a 'cert', but there a cruel blow then dealt. Yes, a try would be scored, but it was from an interception made by Rotherham wing Jon Feeley who ran 85 metres for a converted score at the posts. The scoreline now read 0-17, and there were just 13 minutes on the clock. It was a case of rubbing salt into what was already an open wound, but there a sense that the Pirates had it in them to get back into the match. Indeed, their response was fully energised, and applied effort was rewarded when No. 8 Bertrand Bedes stretched for a try scored on the left converted by centre Tom Luke.

" Seal setting the example as the Pirates tore into the Titans half"

Almost immediately from the restart the Pirates gave away a penalty which gave the impressive Whitehead a chance to show another side of his repertoire, goalkicking from a distance, and he duly obliged, his strike from all of 55 metres successful.

For the home team scrum-half Ed Fairhurst, Luke, and the second-row pairing of skipper Ben Gulliver and Heino Senekal to the fore, applying the pressure for a penalty chance to be awarded Luke, which he slotted with little difficulty to pull three points back. Both sides were willing to play open rugby, it perhaps no surprise that such strategies would inevitably mean that each would also make mistakes. With the Pirates keen to score again before the break, full-back Marika Vakacegu was a player with much to offer and who showed glimpses of hope whenever he touched the ball. Joining play wide on the left, the Pirates maintained their go forward, ending with wing Brian Tuohy, top try-scorer for the Titans a couple of seasons back, making it to the line for a score magnificently converted by Luke.

" Brian Tuohy, a top try-scorer for the Titans a couple of seasons back, making it to the line for a score"

At half-time, and despite being three points down at 17-20, there was a feeling that the Pirates could hopefully go on and win this encounter, and when the second half started they appeared like a team on a mission. However, when Whitehead chipped cleverly into space to set up a Rotherham counter attack, Feeley took the ball on for No. 8 Jon Skurr to then finish the approach work off with a try converted by Barlow.

The Pirates tried desperately to respond, but they made too many basic errors, kicked poorly from hand, and there a mix of knock-ons and forward passes.

A bullocking charge by Senekal raised morale, thankfully followed by two penalties kicked by man of the match Luke which brought the Pirates back into contention.

Replacement scrum-half Nicky Griffiths found space to break clear in midfield, a scoring chance on the left looking 'on'. Replacement Adryan Winnan was unable to gather Griffith's long pass, but he shortly after bravely gathered a high ball which helped pin the Titans back. Now was the time when the Pirates surely had a good chance to score a try that would nudge them ahead, but it was not to be. When the Titans snaffled possession, with Whitehead again involved, play was taken up field to the left corner from where flanker Ryan Burrows crossed for what everyone knew was a match-winning score.

" Griffith's long pass"

There was still time for the Pirates to hit back and at least get a bonus point from the match, which was secured in the final seconds when Seal showed a combination of strength, pace and determination to make the line.

At the end, the Pirates had no complaints, as a very useful Rotherham outfit had played with better control over the whole 80 minutes. Also, clearly, there is no immediate quick-fix for the Cornish team, as further tests of character, and loyalty, await.

Cornish Pirates:
M. Vakacegu, A. Havili (R. McAtee 61), P. Devlin, T. Luke, B. Tuohy
D. Sanft (A. Winnan 68), E. Fairhurst (N. Griffiths 61), B. Bedes, I. Motusaga
C. Morgan, B. Gulliver (capt), H. Senekal (M. Burak 64), D. Seal (S. Franklin 64)
R. Elloway (D. Dawidiuk 71), A. Paver (D. Seal 73).

Replacement (not used): M. Evans.

Rotherham Titans:
M. Whitehead (capt), J. Feeley, B. Hunt, C. Briers, E. Claassens
T. Barlow, N. Chivers (C. Erskine 80), J. Skurr, T. Du Plessis (A. Barnes 80), R. Burrows
M. Challinor (L. McGowan 61), G. Hayter, B. Prescott (A. O'Donnell 7-17), N. Conroy (H. Horn 52)
S. Corsar (A. O'Donnell 74).

Replacements (not used): T. Allen, J. West.

Scorers:-

Cornish Pirates -
Ttries: Bedes, Tuohy, Seal
Ccons: Luke (2)
Pens; Luke (3).

Rotherham Titans
Tries: Whitehead, Feeley, Skurr, Burrows
Ccons: Barlow (3)
Pens: Barlow, Whitehead.

Referee: Greg Garner (RFU)

Attendance: 2,488

Man of The Match Tom Luke

Match Day Sponsor: Cornwall Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Match Ball Sponsor: A1 Accounting