A
determined display by the Cornish Pirates, one that demanded a bucketful of grit
and effort if they were to win away against Doncaster, was duly rewarded as their
defence held firm and fly-half Gareth Steenson slotted two unanswered penalties
in the last quarter of the game to record a superb victory. It
was the second weekend running that the Cornish side had journeyed 'up north',
expecting a tough welcome from the 'Knights' at the ambitious Yorkshire team's
Castle Park fortress. Doncaster, second-placed in the league,
were also unbeaten at home this season, their only defeat in this campaign a 39-17
loss away to Northampton Saints. The Pirates beat Doncaster
three times last year, all matches closely fought affairs, and none more so than
the EDF Energy National Trophy quarter-final away tie early in March. Incentive
for Doncaster? yes, and anticipation that the home team would be fully focused
for revenge.
 |  | | Jim
& Mark Finalise The Battle Plan | Spade
'Feels The Force' |
With three of the Pirates
midfield players ruled out because of injury, it was perhaps no surprise that
new signing Vunga Lilo, one of Tonga's heroes in the recent Rugby World, quickly
found himself drafted into the side for the trip to Yorkshire, taking the outside
centre berth alongside Nick Buckley. As for other changes from the one
that started against Sedgley Park the previous Saturday, Ed Fairhurst returned
at scrum half in place of Richard Bolt, and Chris Cracknell started on the open-side
flank as Iva Motusaga - ever-present these past couple of months - dropped to
the bench.
 | |
Ed Fairhurst attempts to charge down Doncaster full-back Anthony Carter's clearance
kick. |
The Pirates were
dealt a double blow when flanker Chris Cracknell had to leave the field injured
to be replaced by Motusaga, and then Woodrow narrowed the deficit to just one
point with his second penalty of the match. Approaching
half-time - after Doncaster spilled a clear try-scoring opportunity - Steenson
made amends for one penalty attempt that he had missed just minutes earlier by
making no mistake when his chance came again, his strike giving the Pirates a
10-6 lead at the interval.
 |  | | Hooker
Nathan Kemp in storming form. |
Chris Cracknell attempts a pass to Nick Buckley. |
When
play resumed it was not long before the home side nudged themselves ahead with
two further penalties kicked by Woodrow, the pressure on the Pirates mounting
still further when Motusaga was yellow-carded. Now was the test, with just fourteen
men operating at a vital stage of the game, it was essential that they dug deep
to a man. Cowley playing on the flank, made another powerful
burst setting the position from which his team was awarded a penalty successfully
struckby Steenson to regain the lead, albeit by just one point Defence
was the key, one outstanding tackle by replacement hooker Nathan Kemp - a muncher
of an effort that former England back-rower Micky Skinner would have been proud
of - epitomising the need.
 | | Cornish
Pirates skipper Tim Cowley forces his way through. |
The
final minutes, with referee Nick Williams replaced by Chris Sharp after pulling
a hamstring, were frantic and tense, but the Pirates held on, a third penalty
from Steenson in injury-time sealing a victory that many might have felt was beyond
the team's grasp.
 |  | | Pirates
Travelling Flotilla wait Anxiuosly | Allan
Matthews Watches The Final Seconds |
Head
coach Jim McKay was delighted with his team's effort, commenting; "The
boys played with loads of determination, they raised the bar with their superb
commitment and our defence was outstanding in the last quarter."
Cornish
Pirates:
O. Thomas, J. Moore, V. Lilo (R. McAtee 63), N. Buckley, A. Koko
(B. Tuohy 53), G. Steenson, E. Fairhurst
M. Evans, C. Cracknell (I. Motusaga),
T. Cowley (capt), H. Senekal, J. Beardshaw (B. Cumming 49)
D. Seal, R. Elloway
(N. Kemp 49), P. Cook (A. Paver 77). Replacements (not used) - R. Bolt. Scorers:- Cornish
Pirates -
Tries: Fairhurst
Con: Steenson
Pens: Steenson 3 Doncaster:
A. Carter, W. Davies, J. Bishop, T. Luke, D. Van Vuuren, M. Woodrow,
B. Jones, G. Wilson (capt)
S. Grainger, C. Planchant, G. Kenworthy, S. Tomes
(B. Griffiths 65), N. Tau (J. Rawson 65), S. Boden, S. Bunting (T. Davies 6-8,
56). Replacements (not used) - R. List, B. Hunt, M. Soden. Scorers:-
Doncaster
pens:
Woodrow 4
Referee: Nick Williams (Chris Sharp)
Attendance:
1298  |  | | Jan
Rendall 'Job Done' | Even Rod Was Smiling |
 |  | | Terry
Drew warms up with 'Cow Pie' | Leicester
Pirates Show Off 'lectric' Gum Shields |
 | | Doncaster
Mascot Concedes As Pirates fans Make Castle Park Home Territory |
| 
