Cook Seals Comeback Win

Clawing their way back into the match after being 19-0 down at half-time, a superb conversion kicked by Rob Cook sealed victory for the Pirates in the final minutes of the match.

This was a game that was enthralling to watch – not just 'live', but also for the hundreds of supporters watching the game both on 'Pirates TV' and on the big screen back at the Pirates clubhouse.

The Pirates got off to the worst possible start on a return to 'Championship' action, as after the home team kicked the game off Jonny Bentley's attempted clearance to safety was charged down by Moseley's former Bristol No. 8 Chevvy Pennycook, who pounced to score.

Only 30 seconds had passed, and fly-half Tristan Roberts added the easy conversion.

From the restart a strong carry by Blair Cowan and a jinking run from Bentley was followed by a penalty chance awarded the Pirates on the right. Full-back Rob Cook stepped up to take the kick on offer, but kicking into a gustily strong wind the ball narrowly missed.

Taking play back intro the Pirates' half, Roberts and centre Callum Macburnie threatened inside the Pirates '22', and when the Pirates were caught off-side Roberts slotted the penalty on offer.

Moseley's Billesley Common ground is a bleak place to play on a windy day, and the home side looked to use the elements to their advantage, soon pressing again with Roberts given space to make a break before he was gifted another penalty which he kicked to make it 13-0.

It was a horrible start for the Pirates, but one about to get worse. The Pirates handling had let them down and then a line-out was lost close to their line, and when Moseley applied further pressure yet another penalty was conceded which Roberts duly landed.

At 16-0, with there the same number of minutes on the clock, it mirrored events back at Camborne in September, when on that occasion the Pirates as the home side had got off to a rip-roaring start to pile on early points before ultimately winning 57-24.

The Pirates scrum was under increasing pressure, adding to their concerns, but there was some encouragement witnessed at ruck and maul time. One driving maul raised hopes of securing a response, but the ball was then knocked on to gift Moseley the opportunity to clear the danger.

Another Roberts penalty on the half-hour, kicked from just inside the Pirates' half, extended the home team's lead, it now felt that the Pirates would be desperate to score points before the break, but it was not to be. A determined break by wing Nick Jackson created interest, but under pressure still at the scrummage and losing an important line-out did not help their cause.

Continued Second Half >>