Kicking the game off towards the Newlyn end of the ground, the visitors applied early pressure at the old 'Western National' corner through the boot of former Scotland fly-half Gordon Ross.

When the Pirates managed to secure possession, flankers Mike Myerscough and Dave Ward made the important carries to lead the way upfield.

London Welsh had an opportunity to open the scoring on 10 minutes, but full-back Ed Lewis-Pratt's attempted kick went to the left of the posts.

With scrum-half James Doherty directing play, the Pirates looked in control. Centre Tom Luke nudged the ball ahead to a position of the right, and with Myerscough and then his fellow Cornishman Luke Collins providing good line-out possession, the Pirates then impressed at a driving maul.

Lewis-Pratt was awarded a second penalty chance in the eighteenth minute, which he successfully slotted, but the lead was short lived as right from the restart a penalty awarded the Pirates and kicked by full-back Rob Cook duly levelled matters.

This was already a well contested match, with a few tries surely expected as the game developed.

The Dragons kicked a penalty kick to touch on the right from where they looked to work a score from a catch and drive. As they crabbed left to the posts, lock Mike Powell went close to scoring, but he was held.

Quick ball right looked a worthy option to score a try out wide, but when an alert Cook intercepted it would soon be a try for the Pirates at the other end of the field. Cook ran 75 metres with the red-shirted Welsh desperate to haul him down, and he in turn determined to avoid their clutches. With good timing he then fed the ball inside to wing Nick Jackson who touched the ball down at the posts. Cook, still gathering his breath, added the conversion.

Lewis-Pratt pulled three points back with another successful penalty strike, but it was the home side who displayed some clinical finishing during the remainder of the first half.

Following 'hard yards' put in by No. 8 Laurie McGlone, prop Paul Andrew, and Ward, when the ball was crossed to the left Jackson did well to juggle and secure it safely before sprinting clear to register his second converted try of the match.

The feel good factor back at the Mennaye was blossoming, and would be enhanced still further before the interval – it now the turn of right wing Aisea Havili to get in on the scoring act. Showing a fair turn of speed, the former Tongan international tore down the touchline, keen not to be caught. Seeing space in front of him he had the luxury to veer towards and score near the posts, with Cook again adding the conversion.

Leading 24-6 at half-time read well on the scoreboard, but what would the second half bring?n

Well, right from the start of the second period it was clear that London Welsh were keen to show a strength and resolve to quickly get back into the match. Working the ball to wing Errie Claassens, their top try-scorer, was clearly on the agenda, but on more than one occasion Havili showed the defensive determination required to keep the dangerman at bay.

However, by maintaining their assault deep inside the Pirates half, and following a line-out at the clubhouse corner, visiting skipper Nathan Bonner-Evans stretched to score an unconverted try.

Another try followed for London Welsh, scored with apparent ease by centre Charles Gower, and when Lewis-Pratt added the conversion there were just six points in it.

There appeared a set-back for the visitors when centre Dominic Shabbo was shown a yellow card by referee Mr. Wayne Barnes, but they made light of being down to 14 men and soon added three more points to their tally thanks to a penalty kicked by Ross.

Pirates supporters were now understandably edgy, and cold, and as dark clouds gathered there was a feeling of bleakness that London Welsh had it in them to sneak a win, which they did when pack power to the line saw replacement Ben Thomas emerge the scorer of a try converted by Ross.

There were still a few minutes left for the Pirates to work a try of their own, but in a second forty dominated by the Dragons, they simply couldn't break down the defensive line opposite them.

The win for London Welsh saw them hold onto their third spot in the first season of the RFU Championship, whilst for the Pirates, who had pre-match hopes of finishing third, it was a case of settling for sixth place. More importantly, however, the play-offs await.

Cornish Pirates:
R. Cook, A. Havili, M. Ireland, T. Luke (S. Winn 49), N. Jackson, J. Bentley
J. Doherty, L. McGlone (B. Cowan 49), D. Ward (M. Evans 49), M. Myerscough
R. Labuschagne (C. Rimmer 70), L. Collins, A. Paver (capt), R. Elloway (R. Prosser 55), P. Andrew (R. Storer 57).

Replacement (not used): G. Cattle.

London Welsh:
E. Lewis-Pratt (A. Thomas 60), G. Evans, D. Shabbo, C. Gower, E. Claassens
G. Ross, B. Stevenson (N. Runciman 47), T. Brown (J. Mills 37), M. Hills, N. Bonner-Evans (capt, B. Thomas 50)
M. Powell (B. Gotting 72), M. Corker, M. Holford (L. Ward 17), C. Whitehead, R. Boot.

Replacement (not used) P. Mackey.

Yellow card: Shabbo.

Scorers:-

Cornish Pirates

Tries: Jackson 2, Havili
Penalty Cook.
Conversions: Cook 3

London Welsh

Tries: Bonner-Evans, Gower, Thomas
Penalties: Lewis-Pratt 2, Ross
Conversions: Lewis-Pratt, Ross

Referee: Wayne Barnes (RFU)

Man of the match: James Doherty

Attendance: 1,560