Cornish Pirates 19 Bedford Blues 18

Cornish Pirates 19 Bedford Blues 18
Sunday October 21ST 2007
Report Phil Westren

After a highly promising start by the Cornish side, the visitors, as expected, came back strongly in a tough, physical encounter at the Recreation Ground, Camborne. The crowd were kept on edge right up to the final whistle, two second half penalties from man of the match Gareth Steenson proving crucial.

The Bedford Blues had arrived in Cornwall quietly confident that they could upset their hosts, having beaten Plymouth Albion at home the previous weekend and bringing a strong line-up, including centre Tom Youngs and No. 8 Ben Pienaar, both on-loan players from Leicester who played for the Tigers against the Cornish Pirates in August's pre-season 'friendly'. Also, in Kiwi fly-half Jon Elrick, they possessed the player with the best kicking percentage in the league, it an impressive 96.43%. As for the Pirates, their line-up showed a number of changes from the one that won at Esher. Gareth Steenson, who was unavailable for the trip to London, returned at fly-half, with the versatile Jimmy Moore moving out to the wing. Chris Cracknell, injured in the match against Exeter Chiefs, was passed fit to resume playing at blind-side flanker, whilst Rob Elloway, who had replaced an injured Nathan Kemp during half-time against the 'EEE's', continued at hooker.

Chris Cracknell Fit Again

After Steenson kicked a penalty in just the second minute, the Pirates proceeded to play in enterprising style. Scrum-half Ed Fairhurst, full-back Ollie Thomas and wing Moore provided the flair, with the dog work taken on by forwards Joe Beardshaw, Tim Cowley and Cracknell. Pressure created was justly rewarded when Steenson was successful with a second penalty attempt after the Blues had strayed offside.

Elrick missed a penalty kick himself from 48 metres, a rare blemish & only his second miss in 29 attempts at goal this season, but when gifted an easier opportunity the ball flew straight and true.

" The Pirates still playing with confidence" - Joe Beardshaw with Alan Paver In Support

The Pirates were still playing with confidence, appearing that both individually and collectively there was a will to express the best of themselves.

As they turned the screw, referee Mr. Rowan Kitt yellow carded Bedford full-back Brendan Burke for an indiscretion, the home side opting for a put- in at the scrummage, Ball fed, the scrum all but immediately collapsed in a heap, Mr. Kitt reacting positively to point the finger of blame upon the visiting eight and wasting no time in awarding the Pirates a penalty try converted by Steenson.

" The visitors, as expected, came back strongly in a tough, physical encounter"

From the restart, however, the Blues proceeded to create a try of their own, the strength of Youngs enabling him to make the line, with Elrick adding the extras. At 13-10, it was match on, with still a little time for a further score before the break. In the event, no more points were leaked by either side, but the Pirates were forced to finish the half a man short after flanker Iva Motusaga was penalised at a ruck.

To make matters worse, Fairhurst was sin-binned early in the second period after late-tackling his opposite number Karl Dickson, the Pirates now down to 13 men and surely looking likely to surrender their lead - which they did. Bedford spurned the chance of a kick at goal, them confident that with numerical advantage a catch-and-drive was the best option, and after the ball was worked from right to left, centre Liam Roberts found space to score and unconverted try.

With the visitors now ahead for the first time, the home crowd were in for a nail-biting end to their afternoon, it important that the Pirates scored next. Led by Cowley, and with Nick Buckley a battling midfield performer, the home team appeared to be just about edging a physical confrontation that was at times immense. Steenson went close with one long range penalty kick at goal, but when two more quickly followed his clean strikes saw the Pirates ahead again at 19-15. A try next at the scoreboard corner looked likely, but alarm bells were suddenly raised when Bedford quickly broke out of defence, the Pirates thankful to Motusaga for chasing back and making a vital tackle. Keeping supporters on edge, the impressive Youngs made good yardage once again, and when a penalty was gifted in territory acquired, Elrick's strike made it 19-18 with five minutes to go.

"Nick Buckley a battling midfield performer"

Of replacements made by both teams, the playing return of Matt Evans, injured at Coventry at the end of last season, brought a welcome cheer. Called into action, he twice tidied up ball at the back of the scrummage when Bedford pressed strongly on the right, the Pirates holding on for Steenson to ultimately find touch and bring relief at the sound of the final whistle.

The East Stand designation as a 'Family Stand' in the "Kids Go Free" offer was well received

Post Match:- Alan Paver Jokes with Tim Cowley, Father Zeke Cowley & Stepmum Pat

Cornish Pirates
O. Thomas, B. Tuohy, P. Devlin (R. McAtee 33-40), N. Buckley, J. Moore (R. McAtee 79), G. Steenson
E. Fairhurst, T. Cowley (capt - M. Evans 75), I. Motusaga, C. Cracknell, B. Cumming
J. Beardshaw (S. Hobson 69), D. Seal (S. Heard 53), R. Elloway, A. Paver.

Replacements (not used) - P. Cook, D. Dawidiuk, R. Bolt.

Yellow cards: Motusaga, Fairhurst.

Bedford Blues:
B. Burke, R. Owen, T. Youngs, L. Roberts, J. Pritchard, J. Elrick, K. Dickson (A. Page 61), B. Pienaar
S. Harding (C. Mundy 72), N. Strauss, M. Botha, A. Brenton (J. Phillips 58), J. Graham (D. Cole 37)
D. Richmond (capt), M. Cecere.

Replacements (not used) - G. Sammons, R. McKay, J. Hinkins.

Yellow card: Burke.

Scorers:-

Cornish Pirates - try: pen try;
Con: Steenson
Pens: Steenson 4

Bedford Blues
Tries: Youngs, Roberts
Con: Elrick
Pens: Elrick 2

Referee: Rowan Kitt (RFU)

Man of the Match: Gareth Steenson.

Attendance: 3.043.