Cornish Pirates 52 Yorkshire Carnegie 0

The Cornish Pirates not only consolidated their second spot in the Greene King IPA Championship but – with a comprehensive eight try demolition of bottom side, Yorkshire Carnegie – guaranteed a ‘Try Lights’ video this week.

This was an impressive all-round performance from the hosts, who looked intent from the get-go, to erase all memory of their previous league encounter three weeks previously – that turgid 6-0 ‘thriller’ against Hartpury.

In balance – not the most difficult of tasks on this occasion – the visitors from oop north obviously are having the most torrid of seasons. Although with new DoR, Phil Davies back at the helm – there was some speculation pre match, that his arrival may have some effect on the squad. Sport has previous of such events and rugby is no exception to that phenomenon.

Clearly today this wasn’t to be the case judging by the final score line – but with Joe Ford skippering the side and the Premiership’s record try scorer, Tom Varndell, in their ’23’ – for half an hour at least, the Yorkshiremen at least showed more steel than in the previous two contests this season.

By that point however, Carnegie were 21 points down to the Pirates through tries from Wedlake, Cowan-Dickie and eventual MoM, McRae. All three tries ably converted by the measured Cargill at fly half. Their pace and intensity matched their work ethic – which for periods required the latter, as Yorkshire pressed forwards with intent of their own.

Cornish No 8, McRae’s binning just after his score, looked briefly to give the visitors the chance they needed. But any hopes were quashed firstly by some ferocious defence – and then a levelling of personnel numbers when McRae’s opposite number, Whitehouse found himself parked in the Biffa Bin for ten just before the break.

The initiative swapped back to Cornishmen – who were only denied their bonus point try as the half was about to end owing to a forward pass.

It mattered little. Two tries in the opening four minutes of the second period set the tone for what became a one sided contest from hereon. The pace of a fit again Moyle and Wedlake proved to be the telling factors in both cases. Kyle’s break through a gap in Carnegie’s defence looked odds on to end in a try for the full back. A tap tackle only delaying matters inside the 22 – before Wedlake gathered and set up JB for his try. Robin’s pace down the left moment’s later had unstoppable written all over it as the winger bagged his brace.

Yorkshire’s grit prevented the floodgates from opening completely – but with the Pirates now delving into their more adventurous playbook – it couldn’t last.

Replacement prop, Tyack’s score just before the hour mark handed Cargill with his third successive touchline conversion attempt – this one sailing through the uprights after two close shaves.

With time now ticking towards a conclusion – there was still time for Tucker to cap a pleasurable debut with a try in the Old Western National Corner. Note too his ‘bow’ upon coming off the bench, by stopping Varndell in his tracks with a crunching hit.

Replacement scrum half Davies’ scamper under the Newlyn posts – and Cargs’ 6th conversion completed the rout – with the sun setting low.