Cornish Pirates 53 Hartpury RFC 17

Well that was eventful!

Happily for Tom Cowan-Dickie – it concluded with an all clear and the means to be in an upright position post-match – and assuring all who enquired, that he was fine etc. The Cornish hooker’s demeanour though had looked all but fine only a short time earlier – as medics attended to the prostrate forward and lead to Mr Chivers calling time on proceedings with fully seven minutes remaining.

By then the contest had been long decided – although it would be fair to suggest – that a more stringent interpretation of the experimental, high-tackle law, had played it’s part. Something that the officials may have felt somewhat powerless to override.

Either way – sponsor Biffa’s new sin bins were hosts to regular occupation – as Hartpury’s Seabrook, Sheldon & Scully and Pirates’ Patterson – were given the dubious honour of product testing. The latter chuntering his discontent to Olympic standard for some time after – much to this onlooker’s amusement.
The Irish centre’s obvious frustration, mercifully had no effect on the eventual outcome – and he did at least have the consolation of his charge-down try only five minutes earlier. For the visitors’ Ed Sheldon’s ten minute sojourn on the half hour – it coincided with the Pirates finally getting to grips with their opponents.

Three tries from Bolwell, O’Meara & Moyle punished the Hartpury wingers absence – even though their skipper, Pashley, did engineer his side’s 2nd try for Smith – to temper the barrage a little. O’Meara’s afterburner being the pick of the trio – off the back of Lee & Bolwell’s initial break – a helter-skelter build up and a delicious cross field kick from Man of the Match, Alvarez.

The Argentine fly half’s boot had prior, also been responsible for keeping his side in touch – as Hartpury’s obvious ambition, deservedly gave them the lead in the opening thirty minutes. His two pots, countering hooker Stratford’s charge-down try and Cozens’ conversion and solitary penalty.

Either way – with Hartpury back to their full quota of personnel and only behind by ten – there was plenty to suggest that the hosts may still have lot to do.

This train of thought didn’t last long after the break.

Pirates pressure resumed from Scully’s restart and Day’s bonus point try was only two minutes in the waiting. Hartpury’s resistance evaporated hereon as the Cornishmen sought to eradicate their own disappointment from the week before at MadStad.

Moyle’s second half brace completed the full back’s hat-trick – and provided the bread to Callum’s sandwich filling.

The penalty count refused to abate too – with Patterson and Scully providing the when not if- as to who was to be Biffa’d before the end.

Luke’s ‘feet up’ at least had no further effect on his side’s eventual loss – owing to the abandonment. But with the side’s meeting again next weekend – there will be a degree of foreboding – with the Pirates now keen to more or less secure their progress to the knockout stages.