With no ‘Champ’ league game last Saturday, the Cornish Pirates delighted at the opportunity to instead welcome the might of ‘Prem’ side Harlequins to Penzance, for what was the London team’s first visit to the Mennaye Field since February 1952.

As part of a 4-day training camp for the ‘Quins’ in the county, this inaugural ‘Tribute Cup’ Buddha Hunt Memorial fixture between the two sides inevitably attracted a big crowd. Also, as an overall spectacle, it did not disappoint.

Skippered by Alex Everett, the Cornish Pirates had selected a slightly larger squad of players. Fit again after a long lay-off because injury, John Stevens was selected on a bench that also included scrum half Will Becconsall, who has made five appearances for the Pirates linked with Exeter Chiefs in the past. Three young replacements, each especially keen to see action, were backs Noah Clifford from Redruth and Finn Love from Camborne, plus hooker/backrower Gabe Mead who has played for Plymouth Albion.

After England international Alex Dombrandt led the visitors out on a firmed up Mennaye Field pitch, and in welcome calm conditions, the Cornish Pirates enjoyed a promising opening to the game. The scrum was particularly impressive, but it was the visitors who opened the scoring when Dombrandt ran into space and fly-half Jamie Benson arrived on the scene to score a try to the right of the posts that he also converted.

It was a little against the run of play but following a fine kick out of hand by wing Ben Cambriani, and soon after two penalties awards, the Pirates opened their account with a well-executed unconverted try. Prop James French played an influential role and flanker Luke Ratcliff burst through created line-out space to score.

Harlequins, however, were quick to all but immediately hit back – and more. Powerful former Ireland international lock Kieran Treadwell scored a converted try and the Quins then extended their lead still further when wings Nick David and Rodrigo Isigro took centre stage, with Argentine international Isigro’s converted try giving them a 16 points advantage.

The Premiership visitors were showing their class, with two converted scores by their skipper Dombrandt, and a 5-35 halftime scoreline, for the present confirming their dominance. Also always looking sharp for them at scrum half was former Exeter ‘Chief’ and ‘Pirate’ Stuart Townsend.

Despite the scoreline, the atmosphere and camaraderie about were great. It was also very sporting, underlined during the interval when, during a week when St. Piran’s Day was celebrated in Cornwall, Cornish Pirates’ chairman Paul Durkin presented a giant pasty to Simon Jukes, representing ‘Quinssa’- Quins Supporters’ Association. A simple gesture, maybe, but one made in true rugby sporting fashion.

So, what about the second half? Well, for the Pirates and their supporters it was firstly witnessing the return of inspirational flanker John Stevens, though only after Dombrandt registered a hat-trick score. Spotted swimming in the sea off the Penzance promenade the day before, it had clearly done him no harm.

A superb chase back and tackle by Pirates’ man of the match centre Chester Ribbons denied Isigro a second try, but the Quins as a team were not denied a further score when full-back Josh Bellamy’s well weighted cross-field kick found the hands of replacement Sean Kerr who dotted down at the old Western National corner.

Keen to maintain a positive focus, Pirates’ efforts were rewarded following a goal-line drop out. Both number 8 Tomi Agbongbon and Ribbons carried particularly strongly, and following up a deft chip by replacement fly-half Louie Sinclair, it was determined centre Harry Yates who pounced to score at the Penzance posts.

The scrum for the Pirates continued to function well, which was something that in equal measure probably impressed and concentrated the mind of Quins’ scrum coach Adam Jones.

Into the last quarter, a converted try from Quins’ hooker Jack Musk took the visitors past the 50-mark, but the Pirates were in no mood to bow. A super score for replacement wing Finn Love gave an indication of his potential, and the Pirates then scored a bonus point providing try thanks to replacement flanker Rory Suttor. Sinclair added the extra two points.

As for the last say, that went the way of the Quins when replacement Connor Slevin ran in a try which he also converted to make it 22-61.

The final whistle brought deserved applause for both teams, and in memory of his father it was young Freddy Hunt who presented the Tribute Ale Cup to winning captain Alex Dombrandt.

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

“I said before the game that this contest would provide an opportunity for us to get quality game time against an inevitably quality side, and that is how it worked out.

“On a fine afternoon it was great to see a packed out Mennaye, with supporters clearly having enjoyed what that they had seen – from both sides.

“Our lads deserved credit for scoring four tries in the match, which was no mean feat against such opposition. They all worked very hard and the crowd clearly appreciated the effort on what was a truly atmospheric occasion.”

Cornish Pirates:   15 Angus Mawson 14 Matty Ward 13 Chester Ribbons 12 Harry Yates 11 Ben Cambriani 10 Arwel Robson 9 Will Rigelsford; 1 James French 2 Matt Pritchard 3 Alfie Petch 4 Milo Hallam 5 Matt Cannon 6 Alex Everett (captain) 7 Luke Ratcliff 8 Tomi Agbongbon.

Replacements:   Sol Moody, Ollie Andrews, Ben Woodmansey, Rory Suttor, John Stevens Will Becconsall, Louie Sinclair, Noah Clifford, Finn Love, Sam Cahill, Gabe Mead.

Harlequins:   15 Josh Bellamy 14 Rodrigo Isgró 13 Ben Waghorn 12 Bryn Bradley 11 Nick David 10 Jamie Benson 9 Stu Townsend; 1 Will Hobson 2 Jack Musk 3 Simon Kerrod 4 Kieran Treadwell 5 Jonny Green 6 Guido Petti Pagadizábal 7 Will Evans 8 Alex Dombrandt.

Replacements:   Sam Bland, Ethan Clarke, Pedro Delgado, Boris Wenger, Morgan Jones (guest), Lekima Ravuvu (guest), Max Green, Jake Murray, Connor Slevin, Cameron Anderson, Finlay Cunnison, Sean Kerr, Ludo Kolade.

Scorers:

Cornish Pirates – tries: Ratcliff, Yates, Love, Suttor; con: Sinclair.

Harlequins – tries:  Dombrandt (3), Benson, Treadwell, Isgro, Kerr, Musk, Slevin; cons: Benson (6), Slevin (2).

Referee:   Andy Wigley

‘Tribute’ Man of the Match:   Chester Ribbons

‘Thatchers’ Try of the Match:   Finn Love

Attendance:   3100