Championship Round 11

Exeter Chiefs 22 Cornish Pirates 15
Saturday 14th November

Playing against the elements in the first half, the Pirates got off to a disastrous start when through what would be a rare lapse of either concentration, commitment, or both, a clever kick over the top from former 'Pirate' Gareth Steenson, ended with a gift of a try for centre Paul McKenzie. Fly-half Steenson added the extras, and with less than two minutes on the clock it was all a little worrying.

To their credit the Pirates responded in positive fashion, with hooker Dave Ward carrying the ball determinedly to Exeter's '22'. When the ball was released, Cook worthily used his running strength to test the Chiefs defence, which proved beneficial as a penalty was awarded the Pirates from the resulting breakdown. It was a chance for the Pirates to post their first points of the afternoon, which was accomplished when Cook drilled the ball wisely low, considering the conditions, and straight through the uprights.

Steenson continued to happily chip the ball and test the Pirates at the back, and to good effect, and after the the Pirates were penalised for not releasing, the Irishman duly slotted the kick on offer.

From the retstart, however, the Pirates immediately had an opportunity to land a penalty of their own, and Cook was successfully on target once more with a strike into the wind from thirty metres out.

The Pirates enjoyed a spell when they ruled the line-out, with lock Shaun Pammenter prominent, but at scrum-time it was a different matter, and initially of some concern. Steenson had a chance to extend Exeter's lead, but his effort from just four metres inside the Pirates half missed. However, the period midway through the first half was one when Exeter appeared in the ascendancy, as they dominated territory for long spells and were give the opportunity to dictate play

The Pirates were grateful to captain and scrum-half Gavin Cattle who repeatedly cleared any mounting danger with his kicking out of hand, whilst on the tackling front flanker Sam Betty was again setting the standard.

Both sides were guilty of making handling mistakes, especially when the ball was moved wide into open space, which, considering the windy conditions, was not so surprising.

The problems for the Pirates continued at the scrummage, but they were thankfully holding on and not leaking any more points, and when a midfield burst from centre Mark Ireland at long last saw the Pirates back into Exeter's half, an interesting end to the half ensued.

Into injury-time, the Chiefs were put under the cosh, and when matters boiled over referee Mr. Mark Wilson spoke to both captains.

Flanker Blair Cowan went near to scoring on the left, and Ward was also close when the ball was moved back infield, and with Exeter were fully stretched it was no surprise they gave a penalty away. There were 49 minutes on the clock, it the last play of an absorbing half, and Cook stepped up to kick the ball cleanly once more, putting the Pirates within a point of their hosts for the scoreline to read 10-9 at the break.

Faces of Exeter's supporters showed the concern they clearly felt at half-time, as the Pirates had demonstrated that it was surely in them to possibly win this encounter, especially as they would now have the benefit of the elements in their favour.

As in the first half, Exeter were fast out of the blocks, with hooker Simon Alcott showing determination as he carried the ball and scrambled forward deep into the Pirates half. Thankfully he was held, but the onslaught continued and it looking only a short matter of time before the Chiefs would score again..

Exeter's No. 8 and captain looked to have controlled the ball at the back of a scrum as his unit drove the Pirates backwards, but he was to be denied a try, albeit only very briefly, for after the Pirates appeared to have cleared the danger, Baxter was then in position to gather the ball to run and dive for his glory moment wide out on the left. Steenson converted

Matters would get worse for the Pirates after Ward was yellow-carded, it indeed appearing that all of their first half promise was evaporating when Exeter's scrum-half Haydn Thomas mounted an attack on the right, drew in two defenders, leaving space for prop Brett Sturgess to pop up and cross for an unconverted try.

With the score now 22-9, and it midway through the second half, the Pirates needed to respond immediately, and they did from the restart when Cook connected perfectly with a penalty effort from forty metres.

It was a pity that the wind had undoubtedly dropped during the second half, but that didn't stop the Pirates from working hard to further claw their way back into the match. Again having a full complement of players following Ward's return, they put together a number of impressive phases of play, culminating in being awarded a late penalty, again landed by Cook.

If the Pirates could prevent Exeter from scoring, then at 22-15 a losing a bonus point would at least be a reward, but with there still a few minutes remaining to strive for even better. Yes, there were more than a few flutters before a pass to Exeter's full-back Sean Marsden was adjudged to have gone forward on the left, but to their credit the Pirates also managed to work their way upfield for one last effort, only then for a thoroughly entertaining game to come to and end with the sound of the referee's whistle.

Reflecting on the match, the Pirates will have been disappointed that they were enable to take away Exeter's unbeaten record, but in turn their travelling supporters had no hint of complaint, having appreciated the commitment and effort witnessed.

Exeter Chiefs:
S. Marsden, M. Jess, P. McKenzie, P. Dollman, M. Foster
G. Steenson, H. Thomas (C. Stuart-Smith 78), R. Baxter (capt), J. Scaysbrook C. Slade (T. Johnson 62)
J. Hanks, C. Bentley (R. Hayes 52), C. Budgen, S. Alcott (N. Clark 46), B. Sturgess.

Replacements (not used): R. Murphy, D. Gray, M. Cornwell.

Cornish Pirates:
W. Davies, R. McAtee, N. Jackson, M. Ireland, A. Havili (S. Winn 63)
R. Cook, G. Cattle (capt), L. McGlone, S. Betty (R. Elloway 59), B. Cowan
B. Gulliver (M. Evans 73), S. Pammenter (L. Collins 54), S. Franklin (C. Rimmer 69), D. Ward, P. Andrew (R. Storer 66).

Replacement (not used): J. Doherty.

Yellow card: Ward.

Scorers:-

Exeter Chiefs
Tries – Baxter, McKenzie, Sturgess
Cons – Steenson (2)
Pens – Steenson

Cornish Pirates
Pens: Cook (5)

Referee: Mark Wilson (RFU).

Attendance: 6,158.