On a cold and sunny day at the Memorial Stadium, the visiting Pirates simply gifted the home backs too much space in the first half – thus finding them a little too hot to handle. Bristol secured a four-try bonus point by the break, but in the second forty it was a different story as the Pirates showed up well against the league leaders.

This match was played in front of a bumper New Year's Day crowd, with credit due to supporters who had made the effort to travel from Cornwall and other parts of the country to support the Pirates.

It was remembered pre-match that the Pirates had won 18-11 on their last visit to Bristol in February, 2005, but what would this game hold, and with a side showing seven changes in the starting line-up from their team that had won convincingly 46-7 at home to Plymouth Albion just five days earlier. We were about to find out.

At the start the Pirates appeared to match their opponents and looked confident. However, with just 10 minutes on the clock 'Bris' worked the ball to the right wing where wing Lee Robinson powered his way over the line for a try scored in the right-hand corner. The conversion attempt was not easy, but fly-half and former 'Harlequin' Adrian Jarvis slotted it well.

That Bristol had suddenly acquired both points and psychological advantage it was important that the Pirates hit back immediately, which they did, with a try of their own scored by scrum-half Gavin Cattle. The skipper's effort touched down on the right at the Blackthorn Stand end of the ground was similar to his try scored against Plymouth Albion, but with the approach work provided with a confident burst of a run by full-back Rob Cook, who was unable to add the extras.

The response from the Pirates was as needed, but for the rest of the half it would be a different story, as they struggled to cope with the power and pace opposite them. Bristol had a monopoly of possession which they used with clinical effect, with former Pirates' centre Alaifatu 'Junior' Fatialofa again proving himself a midfield force alongside Luke Eves, son of Derek. When they appeared tackled the ball was quickly off-loaded and momentum maintained, it not long before Bristol notched up their second try of the afternoon, scored by the incisive Tom Arscott, who was selected at full-back for this match in place of his injured brother Luke. Jarvis was again on target with the conversion.

All but from the restart quick ball found its way to wing Dan Norton on the left, it an opportunity that the England Sevens man and Championship's top try-scorer gleefully accepted as he scorched his way to the line for another converted try.

This was all a little worrying, it vital that the Pirates scored next it they were to stay in realistic contention, which looked a possibility as they kept possession and played with purpose to work their way into Bristol's half. Hopes, however, were cruelly dashed as Bristol won turnover ball and broke upfield with vengeance, Norton adding further to his tally with an unconverted bonus point try.

Arriving at the break with the score reading 26-7 was naturally disappointing for the Pirates and their followers. Denied any ball for long periods in the first half, the cause was also not helped because the line-out was struggling to function. To their credit, players had been willing to try certain things, to make something out of nothing, but there little New Year's Day cheer but for the one try scored, and for the effort shown by No. 8 Laurie McGlone, especially early on, and by young wing Richard Bright.

For the start of the second half James Doherty replaced captain Cattle and Dave Ward took over the hooking role from Liam Wordley, and it was clear right away that the Pirates were keen to make every effort to get back into the match and show those gathered what they were capable of.

A catch and drive in the left corner offered hope of a second try, but when a penalty was shortly after awarded in front of the post the Pirates wisely took the three easy points on offer. Cook was the man called to fire the kick between the posts, it taking his points tally past the 100 mark for league and cup games played this season.

From the restart the Pirates were called upon to desperately defend, which they did with tremendous commitment shown first by flanker Tyrone Holmes at one corner flag, and then by a brave Doherty at the other.

The overall effort was much, much better as the Pirates were matching their opponents until Bristol posted a position on the right from where flanker James Phillips stretched to score.

With the floodlights on and it getting colder by the minute the Pirates looked to finish strongly, their determination typified by replacement centre Steve Winn who was proudly making his 100 th appearance for the Pirates. During a period of sustained pressure close to Bristol's line fly-half Jonny Bentley twice went close, as did replacement Blair Cowan. Another score was the least the Pirates deserved for their second half display, but such a hope looked to have been lost when Arscott hacked the ball to the Pirates '22'. With the whistle about to blow, a confident Cook was in no mood though not to chance his luck, and gathering the bobbing ball he re ran, kicked and chased all the way to the line for a try converted, because of Cook's breathless unavailability (!), by Bentley.

Chris Stirling, the club's High Performance Manager, felt that the match played on a not surprisingly hard surface had probably been one of the quickest witnessed in the Championship this year.

He said: “We started the game strongly but a couple of costly errors came back to bite us and our line-out didn't function as well as hoped for. As for the second half, our composure for long periods was really good and although we could perhaps have scored more, our commitment could not be questioned.”

With reference to the changes that had been made for the game, Chris commented: “The reasons for the changes are that we still have our eyes on the bigger picture, which is to be the best we can be when we get to the play-offs. We have to give players their opportunities as we need every single member of the squad to be up and ready for what lies ahead.”

Bristol: T. Arscott, L. Robinson, L. Eves, A. Fatialofa, D. Norton, A. Jarvis (S. Giddens 59), R. Shaw (J. Spice 59), D. Montagu (R. Pennycook 59), I. Grieve (J. Adams 73), J. Phillips, R. Winters (capt), M. Sambucetti (N. Budgett 65), W. Thompson (D. Crompton h/t), D. Blaney (R. Johnston 63), M. Irish.

Cornish Pirates: R. Cook, R. Bright, M. Ireland, R. Jones (S. Winn 68), N. Jackson, J. Bentley, G. Cattle (capt, J. Doherty h/t), L. McGlone (S. Pammenter 60), T. Holmes, C. Morgan, B. Gulliver, R. Labuschagne (B. Cowan 47), R. Brits (A. Paver 60), L. Wordley (D. Ward h/t), C. Rimmer (P. Andrew 68).

Scorers:-

Bristol – Tries: Norton (2), Robinson, Arscott, Phillips; cons: Jarvis (3).

Cornish Pirates – Cattle, Cook; con: Bentley; pen: Cook.

Referee: J.P. Doyle (RFU)

Attendance: 7,714

Footnote:-
Well done to Captain Benbow who, despite his maturing years (should he not be promoted to Admiral!), took place in a half-time 'game of rugby' at the Memorial Stadium. He had his head knocked off a few times, but always showed great spirit by composing himself and coming back for more!