Because of recent weather conditions and there a fear that Birmingham & Solihull's Sharmans Cross Road ground might still have been unplayable, an agreement was made that this game be played at Camborne.

With a much changed side from the one thrashed 62-10 at the same venue last October, this was always going to be a more closely fought affair – although few about could ever have predicted how close.

It was reported that Birmingham & Solihull had signed 16 players ahead of the Championship's transfer deadline, with a number of them included in this encounter as the Midlands club look to cast aside their season's woes to gather together a side capable perhaps of avoiding 'the drop' when the relegation play-offs take place.

The Bees, with former 'Pirate' Chris Cracknell on loan from Worcester in their side, kicked the game off playing towards the clubhouse end of a ground that had recovered remarkably well, thanks in part to the efforts of groundsman Colin Dymond, following Camborne having played an important league game on the field just 24 hours earlier.

Following applied pressure on the right by Cornish Pirates flanker Tyrone Holmes and scrum-half James Doherty, when the ball was worked left full-back Rob Cook entered the line to blitz over on seven minutes for an unconverted try.

From the restart Cook was quickly into the action again, this time making an important tackle on Bees back-rower Adam Clayton. It looked like a try had been prevented at the clubhouse corner, but from a line-out lock Stuart Ault provided quick ball which was well used by fly-half Ben Patston and centre Will Lawson. From a penalty awarded a catch and drive was the chosen option on the right, and when the ball emerged from the following breakdown Patston powered his way over for a try that he also converted.

When the Pirates looked to respond, centre Paul Devlin, who was making his first appearance of the season, made a run down the left. Maintaining the advance the Pirates went close to scoring when wing Wes Davies, another player making a welcome return from injury, was held at the line. However, from a second scrum that followed to the right of the posts, No. 8 Blair Cowan did well to take control of the ball and crash over for a try converted by Cook.

Birmingham & Solihull had a chance to pull three points back after Holmes was yellow-carded for making a late tackle, but Patston missed the simple chance on offer.

Both sides looked to play open running rugby, at this stage enjoyed by supporters, with there hopes of another score when hooker Dave Ward snapped up a loose ball and chipped ahead for wing Richard Bright to chase. Scampering back the Bees covered the danger and then countered themselves to take play back into the Pirates half.

Again the Pirates came back positively through centre Nick Jackson and prop Alan Paver, but when the ball was released and a try looked 'on', it was intercepted by Lawson who ran the length of the field, silencing the crowd as he crossed at the posts for a converted try which gave the Bees a 14-12 lead.

At the end of a half which at times resembled a 7-a-side jamboree, the Pirates seemingly upped their effort to try and restore their lead, but it was not to be, the first period drawing to a close after Cowan was brought down at the corner.

During the interval concerns would have been expressed with regard to the display to date. The Pirates pack had dominated, particularly at scrum time, but as a team far greater control was no doubt called for, to keep it tighter and hold possession to try and dominate proceedings.

A chase and charge down by fly-half Jonny Bentley on the resumption of play displayed the determination now demanded, and at scrums that followed the Pirates imposed themselves once more. Indeed, such was their dominance, that when the Bees collapsed, international referee Wayne Barnes, who was making an eagerly awaited Duchy return, had no hesitation in awarding the Pirates a penalty try. Cook added the extras.

It was just the start the Pirates wanted, and something they would look to build upon. However, the Bees were in no mood to let their hive cave in, a run on the right by wing Simon Hunt typifying their resolve as they sniffed a chance still of recording their first win of the season, and it a thought boosted when Patston pulled three points back with a penalty.

During a period when replacements had been introduced, good handling through replacement lock Matt Evans and Cowan saw the Pirates probe with purpose to the right, from where Holmes dashed in for a bonus point providing fourth try.

Another replacement, scrum-half Gavin Cattle, was next to force his way deep inside the opposition's '22', providing a position from where the Pirates would again get just reward from their scrummage effort, opening up a 31-17 lead when Cowan's tenth try of the season was converted by Cook.

Another score for the Pirates would surely put the result beyond doubt, but when a pass went astray near half-way in front of the main grandstand the excellent Patston, formerly of Northampton and Bedford, sped to the line for a try which he also converted.

With at least a quarter of an hour remaining it was a reminder the Pirates that the game was not yet over as they looked to add to their try tally. Further benefit from scrum time was sought, and it looked likely, but a penalty then awarded the Bees provided them relief.

The Pirates had made a number of defensive mistakes throughout the game, and approaching full-time Bees centre Cameron Mitchell took advantage seemingly of another, bursting through midfield before choosing a line that would see him score wide out on the right. Should he have chanced it to try and score closer to the posts, or could he have off loaded to a player in support? Either way, it mattered not, as Patston's superb conversion drew the scores level.

In the remaining seconds there was an urgency from the Pirates that provided some hope of them salvaging victory, but when Bentley's drop goal attempt fell just short it was game over.

For the neutral, or the genuine rugby supporter who takes a game for what it is, this was a match that entertained. From a Pirates perspective, however, there had also to be frustration and disappointment that the chance of a win was missed.

Birmingham & Solihull:
M. Penn (E. Bingham 70), S. Hunt, W. Lawson, C. Mitchell (E. Bingham 17-19), M. Culpin, B. Patston, J. Williams (R. Petty 64), A. Clayton (J. Preece 64), C. Cracknell (R. Halavatau 50), R. Connolly, S. Ault (A. Davidson 64), R. Noonan, J. Reid, S. Philpott (capt, B. Phillips 49), D. Orme (M. Sperandio 50).

Cornish Pirates:
R. Cook, R. Bright (M. Ireland 64), N. Jackson, P. Devlin (S. Winn 45) , W. Davies, J. Bentley, J. Doherty (G. Cattle 55), B. Cowan, T. Holmes, C. Morgan (capt), S. Pammenter (M. Evans 52), R. Labuschagne (L. McGlone 52), R. Brits (C. Rimmer 69), D. Ward, A. Paver.

Replacement (not used): R. Prosser.

Yellow card: Holmes.

Scorers:-

Birmingham & Solihill –
Tries Patston 2, Mitchell, Lawson
Cons Patston 4
Pen Patston

Cornish Pirates
Tries: Cowan 2, Cook, Holmes
Penalty try
Cons Cook 3

Referee: Wayne Barnes (RFU)

Attendance: 916