Match Report - Cornish Pirates V Gael Force

Results from matches played on the Friday and Saturday had suddenly sparked added interest, but how would the Pirates fair on Sunday against Scottish side 'Gael Force', a team drawn together with representatives from professional clubs Edinburgh Rugby and Glasgow Warriors, playing alongside a number of National Academy players.

Playing with the advantage of the elements, the visitors were gifted an opportunity to open the scoring in just the first minute, which they did when their captain and fly-half David Blair, brother of Scottish international Mike, landed a penalty on offer.

Both sides were willing to give the ball some air, and, not so surprisingly, both were guilty of the occasional handling error.

The Pirates first chance of some points came in the tenth minute, which was taken when Rob Cook levelled the scores with a well-struck penalty from some 40 metres. After two weeks in the pivotal fly-half berth, it a period when he also impressed with a 90% per cent plus successful kicking percentage, he had moved back to full-back as the Pirates welcomed back Jonny Bentley to fitness.

'JB', despite missing the previous seven games, was quick to impress on his return, first with a probing kick to the right, and then a display of handling skills that soon set up a try for lock Luke Collins, who galloped over at the scoreboard corner. Few would have given Cook much hope of kicking the conversion from out wide, but he nailed it perfectly to put the Pirates 10-3 up.

Gael Force looked to hit back, it a spell which fully tested the Cornish side defensively. Centre Steve Winn showed his determination at the tackle area, and then, with ball in hand, pierced the opposition's midfield. When the ball was moved swiftly left, Cook was on hand to off load to supporting wing man Nick Jackson, who dived over for a try at the clubhouse corner of the ground. Cook, once again, added the conversion.

As half-time approached, the visitors had two chances to pull points back. Replacement James Eddie, who was proving to be a formidable ball carrier, looked to have created an opportunity for left wing Andrew Turnbull, but the top try-scorer for Scotland at 'Sevens' level was unable to take advantage. Blair, shortly after, was also off target with a second lengthy penalty attempt.

Few would argue that the Pirates deserved their 17-3 half-time lead, as they had played with a great deal of control, but there had also been much to admire from the gifted visitors, who would undoubtedly be a stronger 'Force' as the season progresses.

During the interval Stuart and Joy Michell, who were celebrating their ruby wedding anniversary, did the honour of making the 50/50 Draw, besides it also being an opportune time to congratulate them and thank Stuart for his tremendous input in making sure the playing surface at Camborne is well maintained.

After Blair missed with another penalty attempt early in the second half, there was then a display of soccer skills provided by Pirates winger Rhodri McAtee which gained important yardage on the right. A scrum to the Pirates followed, from which they applied pressure and were awarded a penalty. Such was their confidence, they wasted no time to call for another scrum, and for good reason. After they nudged their way forward, skipper and scrum-half Gavin Cattle worked off the back-row and dived over for a try at the posts. Cook added the simple conversion.

During a time when both sides were making replacements, the Scottish visitors quickly responded with a try of their own, scored by Glasgow Warriors wing Chris Kinloch at the scoreboard corner.

In response, the Pirates looked to stretch their opponents at every opportunity, it no surprise that they created one more try, a bonus point providing fourth, scored out wide on the left by man of the match Dave Ward. Cook could be forgiven for making a rare miss with the conversion attempt, as the match soon ended with a worthy win in the bag and a top placing for the Pirates in Pool A of the competition.

Cornish Pirates:
Cook, McAtee, Ireland, Winn (Havili 59), Jackson,
Bentley (Jones 64), Cattle (c) (Doherty 70), Andrew (Storer 77), Ward, Franklin (Rimmer 52),
Pammenter, Collins (Labuschagne 57), Evans, Holmes (Elloway 56), Cowan

Tries – Jackson, Collins, Cattle, Ward

Con – Cook (3)

Pens – Cook

Gael Force:
Bury (Weir 70), Kinloch, O`Hare, Wilson (McCulloch 62), Turnbull, Blair (capt), Samson (Jericevich 51), Little (Phillips 30), Thomson, Young, Barker (Eddie 17), Turner (Crombie h/t), MacKenzie, Rennie (Forrester h/t), McInally

Tries – Kinloch

Pens – Blair

Referee: Leighton Hodges (WRFU)
Assistants: Richard Parker-Sedgemore & Lloyd Jackson.

Mascot: Aisea Havili – junior!

Match Day Sponsor: Speedy Hire Match Ball Sponsor: Coodes Solicitors

Attendance 2,370

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