Cornish Pirates

Bedford Blues 42 Cornish Pirates 18

RFU Championship Stage 2 Play-Off
Saturday 10th April 2010

Woll's Match Report

Perfect early spring weather welcomed players and spectators alike for the return play off fixture at Goldington Road; in the continuing saga that is Pirates v Blues.

A few changes in both line-ups at least meant that most could at least renew acquaintances, with little need of formal introductions.

Business was to begin very early indeed then; particularly with a tension in the air that you could cut with only the sharpest of implements.

Bentley’s first view of the infamous slope came at the start with his kick to begin Round 4. Bedford’s clearance up the hill amazingly went dead (not for the first time as it transpired) and lead to a scrum back on the Blues 22.

Nothing unfortunately came from this as the home pack turned the scrum and cleared their lines from the ensuing penalty.

Play to-ed and fro-ed until the 5th minute when Cook had the first chance of points from 45m, following some positive counter play. He didn’t disappoint the western travellers. 3-0

That lead only lasted until the 8th minute, as a scything break by Harding put Fielden through at the posts. An easy conversion then for Pritchard. 3-7

Bedford continued to enjoy the ascendancy and an interception by Pritchard from a promising move down the Pirates’ left looked dangerous from the off. With only Ward to beat, his option to kick ahead from just inside Pirates territory looked a good one. McAtee though was closing in fast from the other wing until the bounce over the line favoured the Canadian who touched down again under the posts. The extras were added nonchantly. 3-14

After a quarter of an hour the Pirates were well and truly on the ropes and seemingly in trouble. Paves though had other ideas and it was his jinky run into Bedford’s half moments later that presented Cook with his second pot at goal. An offer he couldn’t refuse. 6-14

The Pirates pressed some more and obviously touched a raw nerve as the second quarter began. On went the gloves as a number of sparring partners set about each other with enthusiasm. Richmond and Franklin taking the honours and leaving the ring for ten minutes to ponder their actions.

Cook though scuffed the chance to narrow the gap as play resumed.

With half time approaching, things just got worse for the visitors as Dorian fed off another fine Blues attack lead by Pritchard. The fly half eventually shrugged off the attentions of his tackler to score to the right of the posts for his side‘s third try who by now threatened a rampage.

Pritchard’s excitement however got the better of him as he matched Cook’s earlier miss with a scruffy attempt for two. His last involvement before being replaced by Dodge. 6-19

The half concluded quite against the run of play as the Pirates at last created a gap on the left for a fine try by Cook who dived over the line to give the first glimmer of hope.

The youngster converted also. His efforts on the score sheet at least keeping this a six point game at the break despite so little ball to play with. 13-19 down and a mountain to climb literally!

Cook didn’t leave it there though as a scintillating run took play from deep inside his half to within 10m of the line right from the restart. The move crabbed right, before unfortunately breaking down after Franklin knocked on under pressure.

Had Gavin inspired the Quattros to be fired up at last? (other German motor vehicles are available)

Perhaps so as the Pirates followed this up with a real head of steam for the first time in the contest as the pack briefly took control. Time and again the line was within sight only for Bedford to regroup and eventually turn the ball over and clear their lines well.

The Blues took heart and forced play deep into the Pirates 22. Hearts were in mouths as Jackson initially missed the flight of the near to his line only to recover just in time. The resulting Blues scrum creaked which gave temporary reprieve only for Dorian to turn the screw a little from a penalty in the 57th minute.

Remarkably the first score of the half, but leaving the Pirates needing two scores to turn things around with a little over a quarter to go. For now. 13-22

If only. Another passage of Pirates possession broke down and some sloppy defence allowed Fielden to scamper under the posts on the hour for the bonus point try.

Dorian added the extras and a penalty five minutes later, as a way back evaporated with the sunshine. 13-32

The game was up for sure as tempers continued to fray. Andrew and Boulton mirrored the earlier double dismissal; the two trudging off bemused at the whole situation. Too late to make any real difference.

No need then for a dangerous tackle on Cook, that left the full back receiving protracted treatment for a suspected neck injury; requiring him to leave the field on a stretcher. Happily he returned before the end; upright if a little dazed.

Elloway’s consolation try soon after was little comfort as Dorian completed the rout at the death with a try and two penalties to make a bad day; worse.

Bedford

15 James Pritchard (Ollie Dodge 37mins) 14 Luke Fielden 13 Brendan Burke (Brad Davies 77mins) 12 Ian Vass 11 Duncan Taylor
10 Myles Dorrian 9. Will Chudley 8 Chris Goodman 7 Sacha Harding (19 Ben Lewitt 67mins)(Chris Locke 24mins fr) 6 Gregor Gillanders
5 Paul Tupai (John Harlock 70mins) 4 Mike Howard 3 Dan Seal (Phil Boulton 49mins) 2 Dan Richmond(c) (Nick Walshe 77mins) 1 Sam Walsh

Replacements (all used)

Tries: Fielden 2, Pritchard, Dorian 2
Cons: Pritchard 2, Dorian 2
Pens: Dorian

Cornish Pirates

15 R. Cook 14 R. McAtee (S. Winn 56mins) 13 P. Devlin 12 M. Ireland 11 N. Jackson (T. Luke 71mins) 10 J. Bentley 9 G. Cattle (capt)(J. Doherty 70mins) 8 B. Cowan 7 S. Betty (P. Andrew 24min -fr)(T. Holmes 60mins) 6 C. Morgan
5 B. Gulliver 4 L. McGlone (M. Myerscough 60mins) 3 S. Franklin (Andrew 62min) 2 D. Ward (17 R. Elloway) 1 A. Paver.

Replacements (all used)

Tries: Cook, Elloway
Cons: Cook
Pens: Cook 2

Yellows: Franklin, Andrew

Referee:Lyn Apegeraint Roberts
TJ 1: Darren GAMAGE
TJ 2: Nigel CARRICK
ASSESSOR: John HAGGART
NUMBER 4: Nick CLARKE

Attendance: 2,599