Cornish Pirates

Cornish Pirates 15 Bristol 60

RFU Championship Play-Offs Final Round
Saturday 1st May 2010

Woll's Match Report

Championship favourites Bristol, conclusively secured home advantage for the semi final stage, with a comprehensive ten tries to two drubbing of the Cornish Pirates.

On the day and despite the often ‘Barbarian’ approach from the hosts; there was only one team in it. Their reward must surely be further progress and a swift return to the top flight.

Team selection had clearly been influenced by last weeks British & Irish Cup semi final success; but that said, this was seen as an opportunity for some to catch the eye for a berth in the Final; and others to say their fond farewells.

Lead out by skipper for the day and eventual Man of the Match, Matt Evans; the Pirates emerged from the Funnel at the Tunnel to be greeted by a good sized crowd, boosted by a large contingent of travelling support.

Making his first start in a long while, it was Rhys Jones to get things underway playing downhill towards the Clubhouse End. Indeed it was he who got things moving very soon on, with Luke also finding good territory from the boot.

Consequently an early chance for Jones came with barely five minutes passed. The Welsh 7's man's penalty came mightily close to obliging; but not enough to Bristol's relief.

As if on cue, they duly marched up the pitch to open the scoring with their first significant play; courtesy of Crocketts' nicely worked try. Jarvis' extras attempt went wide in similar fashion to Jones' earlier hoof. 0-5

This setback though did little to faze the Pirates who stuck to their task in the immediate aftermath. Play remained predominantly in Bristol territory as a result, but couldn't halt the visitors setting up Merriman to bundle his way over for the second try on seventeen minutes.

Jarvis' second miss from the tee mattered little with the vital bonus point that bit closer.
0-10

Home endeavour however finally prevailed, with Elloway claiming the spoils on the left following a quick tap n go from Doherty. Jones' radar connected from the touchline and with fifteen minutes till the break it was game back on. 7-10

Albeit briefly.

Almost immediately from the restart, it was the Bristolians adding to the try sheet via Philips, after another forwards surge off the back of a Fatialofa break. Jarvis; obviously in unison with his counterpart found his range. 7-17

Tails up by now, the four try bonus came on the half hour as the Bristol pack took charge again. A suspiciously looking knock on was survived with the line beckoning; leaving Spice little option but to casually touch down under the posts and await the verdict. Mr Tutty's arm raised against all odds and Jarvis easily slotted his second conversion. 7-24

A Jones penalty put the Pirates score into double figures as Bristol appeared to temporarily switch off. But two scores by Eves in the same corner just before half time soon ended that nonsense, to leave little doubt that Bristol were keen to nail their goal in good time.

Jarvis was passed caring; no doubt dreaming of his steaming cuppa to wrap up an open half of rugby with a couple more missed pots. 10-34

The fly half cracked the restart pretty much OK. And it was to his side’s benefit as a huge gap opened up to create the nightmare start to the half for the Pirates. Merriman bagged his second try of the game at a canter; as did Jarvis’ conversion nudge his side nearer towards the half century mark. 10-41

Bristol were rampant now and their captain Spice grabbed another try of his own before being replaced by Alford. 10-48

Obviously with the game now beyond them, the Pirates at last saw some of the ball and made some inroads of their own. A genuinely well worked try by Steve Winn capped some fine handling by Devlin and Havili, to bring something to cheer. Luke’s first shot of the afternoon with Jones now off wasn’t to be. 15-48

With Fatialofa ‘having to go now’ and the rains beginning to fall; the visitors barely blinked before Robinson ran in the ninth try. The Fifty had been reached and, worryingly, there was still a quarter to go. 15-53

The elements however had the last say and dampened any further Pirate ambition, despite Devlin coming close to finding a way through.

Bristol though, rightfully wouldn’t let up and a dominant scrum handed Montagu the honour of the tenth try deep into added time. Davies dissected the uprights and a sound beating was complete; the heaviest since the Pirates‘ first season at Level 2. 15-60

The rains mercifully subsided for Cooky to nab the limelight by taking both the Travelling Supporters Award and the Edwin Bryant Trophy. The Robert Pascoe Cup appropriately went to Blair Cowan. Sam Betty capped a fine season with the Presidents Cup; ample indication of his progress and service to the club to date.

Cornish Pirates
T. Luke, R. Bright, P. Devlin, S. Winn (M. Ireland 60), A. Havili
R. Jones (R. McAtee 49), J. Doherty (G. Goodfellow 62)
M. Evans (capt), T. Holmes (C. Morgan 72), S. Betty
R. Labuschagne, L. McGlone
S. Franklin (R. Storer 40), R. Elloway (R. Prosser 49), P. Andrew (C. Rimmer 57).

Replacements: all used

Tries: Elloway, Winn
Cons: Jones
Pens: Jones

Bristol
15 Luke Arscott 14 Lee Robinson 11 Tom Arscott
13 Alex Crockett (Luke Eves 16) 12 Junior Fatialofa 10 Adrian Jarvis (Mark Davies 60) 9 Jason Spice (c) (Sam Alford 49)
1 Darren Crompton (Mark Irish 55) 2 Ollie Hayes (Mako Vunipola 62) 3 Wayne Thompson
5 Nathan Budgett (Mariano Sambucetti 62) 4 Roy Winters
6 Redford Pennycook 7 James Merriman 8 James Phillips (Dan Montagu 49)

Replacements: all used

Yellow: Fatialofa

Tries: Crockett, Merriman 2, Philips, Spice 2, Eves 2, Robinson, Montagu
Cons: Jarvis 3, Davies

Referee: Michael Tutty
Assistant Referees: Richard Parker-Sedgemore, Eric Woodmason
No 4: Lloyd Jackson
Assessor: Jerry Wallis

Attendance: 3190

Man of Match: Matt Evans