29th March 2009

Pirates U16s 27 Penryn U16s 22

Cup semi-final - Sunday 29th. March 2009

With conditions close to perfect, the Pirates welcomed their old rivals Penryn to the Mennaye Field for this important Cup semi-final encounter.

Flanker Ben Robinson opened the account for the Pirates after seven minutes with a try in the corner, following several phases of sustained pressure from the pack. However, Penryn quickly replied with a converted try after a penalty attempt struck the uprights and bounced favourably for one of their players to gather-up and score in the corner.

Minutes later the Pirates reclaimed the lead with a penalty by Kyle Moyle, and then went further ahead when Robinson scored his second try, but Penryn responded with their second converted effort which gave them a narrow 14-13 half-time lead.

The second half continued much the same as the first with both teams exchanging scores. Kyle Moyle touched down first with a magnificent individual try for the Pirates which he duly converted, but Penryn responded with an unconverted try and then took the lead again with a penalty deep into the final quarter.

With tension mounting as the clock began to wind down, it seemed that the Pirates would pay dearly for what was a less than accomplished display by their standards. However, their unyielding attitude was rewarded in the final minutes, and after continued pressure on the Penryn line, prop Jack Lugg burrowed over for a match winning try to which Kyle Moyle added the extras.

The Pirates now face Truro in the Cup Final at Newquay on Sunday 19th.April (ko 3pm.)

Pirates squad: Jack Lugg, John Drew, Sam Cartwright, Charlie Tokeley, Keiran Brownfield, Jonathan Badcock, Ben Robinson, Ben Britten(capt), Taylor Wearne, Ben Brooks, Andrew Tester, William Banks, Kyle Moyle, Felix Lovell, Jack Nowell, Chris Nicholas, Harry Hoare, Matthew Richards, Guy Hobson.

Scorers - tries: Robinson (2), Moyle, Lugg; cons: Moyle(2); pen: Moyle.

U13s Win Cornwall Cup Semi-Final Tie

Pirates U13s 19 Truro U13s 7

In a fascinating encounter between two fairly evenly matched sides, the Pirates deservedly progressed to the final as was confirmed by the 3 to 1 try-count also in their favour.

Playing towards the Newlyn end of the ground, the Pirates immediately took the game to their opponents, and were unlucky not to score when big No 8 Ed Holmes was held up over the line. However, by maintaining pressure at every line-out and scrum, a position was soon set from where wing Lockran Williams scored following a good break down the blind side. Team captain Ollie Hallworth added the conversion.

With the forwards going so well, another first half try was surely on the cards, and so it proved. Bursting through midfield, Lockran Williams broke a number of tackles to cross for his second try of the match, this time unconverted, which made the half-time scoreline 12-0 to the Pirates.

Truro started the second half at a frenetic pace, determined to get themselves back into the match. The Pirates were put under pressure, and especially so after Lockran Williams was sin-binned for making a dangerous tackle. Endeavouring to make numerical advantage count, Truro's effort was quickly rewarded with a converted try scored by their No 8.

It was a case of 'game on' once more, and it now essential for the Pirates to gather their senses and leak no more points whilst down to 14 men.

To their credit they held out, but as time ticked away the outcome of the match was still in doubt. With tension mounting, it was then thankfully relieved thanks to a great break from the midfield which resulted in outstanding centre Tom Holdsworth going over beneath the posts. Hallworth converted to once again open up a 12 points gap, which the Pirates refused to relinquish.

At the final whistle the large crowd stood in in appreciation to applaud a fine game of rugby played between two committed sides, with there also praise and thanks to Andrew Snell for refereeing the game