Pirates End September Unbeaten

Expecting a tough test from a combative Coventry side, the Cornish Pirates got just that at the Recreation Ground on Sunday.

The visitors arrived on a mission and gave it their all throughout, but in response the Pirates scored three superb tries in the match and held on defiantly to record four wins out of four in the Championship to deservedly end September unbeaten to date in the competition.

After losing the services of flanker Henno Venter in what was always going to be a physically robust opening, the visitors shortly after had the opportunity to take an early lead. Awarded a penalty some 28 metres out they surely had every chance, but full-back Ben Russell's strike went wide of the posts.

Making their opponents pay for the miss, good work from skipper Blair Cowan, with support from rampaging lock Luke Collins, soon saw Coventry penalised just outside of their '22'. Making no mistake, fly-half Jonny Bentley potted the chance on offer with ease.

The educated boot of young Bentley offers much, and not just for slotting kicks at goal. His kicking out of hand is also 'top drawer' and this was an afternoon when his full repertoire was on display – kicking for position, executing inch perfect cross-field kicks for wingers, and breaking defensive lines with craftily probed grubbers.

His defensive qualities also drew praise from the crowd, which included among it former England manager Geoff Cooke.

The Pirates were now looking to click into gear with flanker Sam Betty and hooker Rob Elloway running with real purpose. However, when 'Cov' held the mounting danger they worked their way up field menacingly themselves.

Centre Chris Lewis ran strongly, and when the forwards offered support a platform was created from where Tongan international fly-half Fangatapu Apikotoa was able to comfortably slot a drop goal which levelled the scores.

As the half developed the Pirates had the edge but were unable to convert pressure into points, and had also to still be wary of any Coventry break outs. Indeed, after Coventry scrum-half Mike Walls was held up at the clubhouse corner the Pirates were thankful to the boot of full-back Wes Davies for rifling the ball 60 metres to safety.

Determined to make lift difficult for the Pirates, Coventry worked every angle to stop the Pirates from creating a tempo desired, and when Russell was given a second penalty chance at goal he this time delivered for the Midlanders to take a 6-3 lead.

Approaching the interval play was still feisty, and it no surprise after a sustained spell of Pirates pressure to see referee Mr. Doyle show a yellow card to 'Cov' skipper Jamie Miller. Ross McMillan, who had replaced Venter early in the match, also now suffered what appeared a serious injury, it taking some 16 minutes of on field concern and treatment before he was stretchered off.

When play resumed, with just a minute or so of play left in the half, the Pirates could have considered themselves extremely unlucky not to have taken a lead into the break, as what looked a try from Bentley was disappointingly disallowed.

During the interval the crowd was entertained with a mini-rugby exhibition involving the Camborne and Wadebridge U10s, and also a gymnastic dance routine provided by the 'Cornish Comets'.

An announcement was also made that the afternoon's match was also being watched 'live' on Pirates TV by viewers from over 30 different countries around the globe.

Needing a boost when play resumed the Pirates got just that when Wes Davies, who is suitably sponsored by Boosters Limited, scored a try all but right from the restart. Davies has shown superb form on his return to Cornwall and after receiving the ball on half-way he strode majestically to the line through a bewildered Coventry defence.

The conversion from Bentley missed, but the Pirates now led 8-6. Maintaining a fine start to the second period it was not long before the Pirates extended their lead after a fine break from scrum-half Ben Jones was given support from Davies and then man of the match Bentley who displayed wonderful running skills to weave his way to score a try at the posts which he this time converted.

To their credit Coventry refused to buckle further and maintained a combative approach through lock Sam Herrington and the potent Chris Lewis. Taking play to the Pirates line, lock Luke Collins covered superbly to save what looked a certain try about to be scored in the right corner.

The pressure placed upon the Pirates at this stage was immense, and the spell of play eventually ended with Coventry gaining their reward thanks to a try scored by skipper Miller.

Russell missed the conversion but was soon after on target with a penalty which made the scoreline 15-14. A tense and interesting finale was now guaranteed!. It was a time for the new-look Pirates to show their mettle, and with time left they proceeded to duly respond and meet the challenge. Another promising build up of play saw Mark Ireland given space to manoeuvre and fire off a long pass to left to flying wing Rhodri McAtee who brought the crown to its feet as he zipped in for an unconverted score at the corner.

With just six points in it the visitors were though still in with a chance, and they gave it their all right to very end. Matching them defensively, however, were the Pirates, with replacement flanker Tyrone Holmes especially busy making tackle after tackle to keep 'Cov' at bay.

Holding on for victory, the Pirates had been put to the test, and they had passed it, the point astutely made afterwards that 12 months earlier such an examination would have been one that they would have likely failed.

Cornish Pirates:
W. Davies, J. Moore, N. Jackson, S. Winn (M. Ireland 57), R. McAtee, J. Bentley, B. Jones, L. McGlone, S. Betty (T. Holmes 53), B. Cowan (capt), R. Labuschagne (M. Evans h/t), L. Collins (S. Betty 76), R. Brits (A. Paver 69), R. Elloway (D. Ward 57), C. Rimmer (P. Andrew 57).

Replacement (not used): R. Jones.

Coventry:
B. Russell, J. Lewis (W. Hurrell 54), P. Mackenzie, C. Lewis, R. Plantey, F. Apikotoa (O. Winter 51), M. Walls, J. Miller (capt), B. Pons (B. Dechartres 80), H. Venter (R. McMillan 3, S. Roberts 40+5), L. McGowan, S. Herrington, J. Hall (R. Dugard 62), J. Merrigan, D. Maddocks (K. Davies 35-40+2). Yellow card: Miller.

Scorers:-

Cornish Pirates
Tries: Bentley, Davies, McAtee
Con: Bentley
Pen: Bentley.

Coventry
Try: Miller
Pens: Russell (2)
Drop goal: Apikotoa.

Referee: J.P. Doyle (RFU)

Man of the Match: Jonny Bentley

Attendance: 2,695