Cornish Pirates 27 Caldy 24

The weather for Easter has been disappointing to say the least. However, for the Cornish Pirates and their supporters, despite the closeness of this latest result, a win with five points provided a just level of satisfaction.

The Cornish side’s selection showed just the one change in their backs from the set who started away at Chinnor the previous week, with Harry Yates named to partner Chester Ribbons in the centre. As for the forwards, James French was selected at tight-head prop and Michael Etete, who was ready to make his first league start, formed a second-row partnership with Alfie Bell. Also selected in the back row was 23-year-old former Worcester ‘Warrior’ Jack Forsythe, who has arrived at the Mennaye Field on loan from Exeter Chiefs.

Despite the men from the Wirral sitting one place off the bottom of the league table, the fifth placed Pirates knew that the Ravers’ (as Caldy are nicknamed) could be tricky customers. Indeed, as if to prove the view in this Round 17 Championship fixture, they opened their account in just the second minute when flanker Calum Ridgway scored an unconverted try at the old Western National corner.

The Pirates would soon hit back with five points of their own. Hooker Harry Hocking firstly intercepted and, after full-back Matt Kilcourse was yellow-carded for foul play, it was Hocking whose efforts were then rewarded when he scored from a catch and drive.

On a ‘Mennaye’ pitch softened by recent wet weather, for a spell both sides showed a a willingness to play with adventure. However, it was Caldy who would score again midway through the half when, following applied pressure, wing Charlie Hyde ran in a try that was converted by fly-half Lewis Barker.

To their credit the Ravers, with skipper JJ Dickinson, Barker, and flanker Tristan Woodman influential, were looking very sharp, as if on a mission to make it very difficult for the oft penalised Pirates on their home turf. Almost needless to say, come halftime with the score reading 5-12, there was a succinct feeling that an interesting second forty beckoned.

If the home crowd were a little concerned, come the start of the second period they immediately made themselves heard. Skipper Everett and wing Matt McNab responded with intent to concentrate Caldy defenders, and then a sudden burst by Yates led to him passing to supporting scrum half Dan Hiscocks, who raced in at the Newlyn posts. Fly-half Bruce Houston added the extra two points to draw the scores level.

Further pressure applied by the Pirates, who were now looking a different outfit, ended with referee Mr Wigley running towards the posts and signalling the award of a penalty try. But it didn’t end there, as after Caldy had lost the services of Dickinson to the sin bin, a superb try of the match was next witnessed, started by impressive debutant Forsythe and ended by Everett.

Caldy responded with a try scored by scrum half Dom Hanson, whilst good work at the clubhouse corner by Pirates’ replacement Iwan Jenkins appeared to have saved a likely score. Fly-half Jenkins would also kick what would prove an important penalty in help winning the game, though it was still one with a tense ending.

After a sublime kick ahead by replacement wing Nick Royle, Caldy would score again through Hanson, and although Barker added the conversion it was not enough. The Pirates held out for the bonus point win in a match where the Ravers also commendably departed Cornwall with two bonus points. Their 746-mile round trip was not without reward.

Speaking at the end of Saturday’s encounter, Cornish Pirates’ joint head coach Gavin Cattle said:

“In the first half we were a little disjointed and our energy wasn’t there, but credit to Caldy who are a good mauling team and who can also play a little as well.

“After a talk at halftime our mindset was different for the start of the second half, when we not only played with that necessary energy but also upped the tempo as well.

“There were also some good performances, such as from man of the match Billy Young. We had several contenders, but Billy’s work rate was again outstanding as someone who does his work at scrum time and puts a lot of effort around the defensive breakdown.”

“At this time, it was important that we got some new combinations up and running, and it was of course pleasing that we achieved another five points in a match.”

Cornish Pirates:   15 Arthur Relton 14 Robin Wedlake 13 Chester Ribbons 12 Harry Yates (23 Joe Elderkin, 59) 11 Matt McNab 10 Bruce Houston (22 Iwan Jenkins, 65) 9 Dan Hiscocks (21 Will Becconsall, 56); 1 Billy Young 2 Harry Hocking (16 Dylan Irvine, 71) 3 James French (17 Ollie Andrews, 62; 18 Ben Woodmansey, 72) 4 Michael Etete (19 Charlie Rice, 40) 5 Alfie Bell 6 Matt Cannon 7 Jack Forsythe 8 Alex Everett (captain; 20 Milo Hallam, 74).

Caldy:   15 Matt Kilcourse (22 Sam Rogers, 65) 14 Charlie Hyde (23 Nick Royal, 60) 13 Connor Wilkinson (21 Jacob Mitchell, 60) 12 Michael Barlow 11 Will Robinson 10 Lewis Barker 9 Dom Hanson; 1 Nathan Rushton (17 Matt Rabbette, 60) 2 Matt Gallagher (16 Ollie Hearn, 60) 3 Monty Weatherby (18 Ryan Higginson, 40) 4 Freddie Stevenson (19 Sam Olyott, 39) 5 Joe Sproston 6 Callum Ridgway 20 Tristan Woodman (7 Jordan Jones, 49) 8 JJ Dickinson (captain).

Yellow cards: 15 Matt Kilcourse (07) JJ Dickinson (50).

Scorers:

Cornish Pirates – tries: 2 Harry Hocking (07) Dan Hiscocks (09) Penalty Try ( 50) Alex Everett (58); con: 10 Bruce Houston (45) pen: 22 Iwan Jenkins (74).

Caldy – tries: 6 Callum Ridgway (02) 14 Charlie Hyde (22) 9 Dom Hanson (62, 78); cons: 10 Lewis Barker (22, 78).

Referee:   Andy Wigley

Assistants:   Matt Sharpe & Kevin Williams

Attendance:   1500

‘Tribute’ Man of the Match:   Billy Young

‘Thatchers’ Try of the Match:  Alex Everett