For their first home game in the 2024/25 league campaign, the Cornish Pirates expected a tough challenge against last season’s Championship winners, and it was. However, the spirited home team showed they were very much up for the challenge, with the result only decided in the very last minute.

Played under Friday night floodlights, there was a great atmosphere at the Mennaye Field as last season’s Championship runners-up welcomed the reigning league champions, and in the absence of club captain John Stevens’ because of injury it was flanker Alex Everett who led the Pirates out.

It was Ealing’s fly-half Dan Jones, a former Wales under 20s and Scarlets player who kicked the game off. Playing towards the Penzance end of the ground the Trailfinders applied much early pressure, and at pace. Twice they went close to scoring before the Pirates, after holding firm, took play up field.

Players to the fore were hooker Morgan Nelson, lock Josh King and skipper Everett. Centre Matt McNab also went close to scoring at the old Western National corner, only for visiting scrum half Craig Hampson to then kick to touch and clear the danger.

The Pirates would though get an early reward when, following a penalty award in the sixteenth minute, it was fly-half Bruce Houston who stepped forward and coolly slotted a less than easy kick on offer.

Soon taking play deep inside the Pirates half, after having no initial joy when a catch and drive opportunity was foiled, the visitors then opted to kick at goal after another penalty was signalled. Jones’ effort sailed through the posts to make it 3-all.

The Pirates were under considerable pressure for a period as they strived to defend a series of attacks, and it was ultimately slick movement of the ball that led to former Northampton Saints winger Tom Collins crossing for a converted try at the scoreboard corner.

Were the Trailfinders now about to take control? The answer would be ‘no’, as just before halftime the Pirates levelled matters. It was wing Arthur Relton who firstly somehow worked his way into space and put on the burners to run nearly 50 metres to the posts. His terrific burst had the crowd on its feet and with support work from McNab, Everett, replacement scrum half Dan Hiscock, and centre Joe Elderkin, the ball was then snapped up by Robin Wedlake who scored wide out on the left. As for the conversion, pressure was on Houston to deliver, and with a wonderful strike he did just that.

So, 10 points apiece at the break, supporters were now surely in for a fascinating second forty. We would see.

At the start, the Trailfinders were busily quick out of the blocks, when hooker Matt Cornish scored a converted try, but the Pirates were quick to respond. Always willing full back Will Trewin kicked and chased to the clubhouse corner where it appeared defender Hampson deliberately tapped the ball into touch. Did he? Well, referee Mr. Selwood consulted with his assistant, and it was deemed ‘yes’, he did, which led to the player not only being shown a yellow card but ‘Sir’ also awarding the Pirates a penalty try.

The Ealing side would regain the lead with a converted try scored by full-back Tobi Wilson, but they would then lose another man to the sin bin following wing Angus Kernohan being adjudged to have made a deliberate knock on.

Errors from the Pirates meant that they were unable to take immediate advantage, also at a time when replacements were being made. A popular figure at the Pirates last season, prop Lefty Zigiriadis, trundled on for the Trailfinders, joining another former ’Pirate’ in starting lock Danny Cutmore and replacement Doug Bridge who made a couple of appearances last season. Another familiar face in visiting ranks was that of coach Louie Tonkin.

Putting aside any mistakes made, the Pirates admirably refused to buckle. Man of the match Eoin O’Connor carried with purpose, and it was a converted try gleefully scored at the Penzance posts by replacement Iwan Price-Thomas, also making his first league appearance for the club, that demanded an enthralling finale.

If the Pirates could hold out for a draw it would be commendable, but they had to settle for a losing bonus point when in the very last minute the Trailfinders, through flanker Rob Farrar, registered their fourth try of the match to earn them a bonus point win.

It was a cruel and frustrating end for the Pirates, all but mirroring defeat against the same opposition at the ‘Mennaye’ back in April. Having said that each, and every player, could still hold their heads up high.

Speaking after the match, Cornish Pirates’ joint head coach Gavin Cattle said:

“Looking back, we had our opportunities to win, soto lose right at the end was a sickener. But,considering our training week, where we had restricted numbers and were down to bare bones, there was much to admire in our performance. There was no lack of positive energy and there were a lot of good things to take from the contest.

“We played a lot of the game inside Ealing’s ‘22’,especially in the first half, and we put them under a lot of pressure. Also, physically we didn’t look like we were outpowered and I thought we were in the race and at times dominant.

“There were several critical moments, as there always are in games, which counted against us, but I am just gutted for the lads who without doubt showed they had the potential to win the game.  

“Ultimately, at the same time, credit was due Ealing for creating the play to frustratingly sneak it right at the very end.”    

Cornish Pirates:   15 Will Trewin (20 Iwan Price-Thomas, 62) 14 Robin Wedlake 13 Matt McNab 12 Joe Elderkin 11 Arthur Relton 10 Bruce Houston (22 Iwan Jenkins, 62) 9 Cameron Jones (21 Dan Hiscocks, 21); 1 Billy Young (17 Billy Keast, 40) 2 Morgan Nelson (19 Harry Hocking, 72) 3 James French (18 Jay Tyack, 40) 4 Josh King 5 Eoin O’Connor 6 Alex Everett (captain) 7 Will Gibson 8 Hugh Bokenham.

Replacements (not used):   16 Sol Moody 23 Charlie McCaig.

Ealing Trailfinders:   15 Tobi Wilson (23 Dan O’Brien, 67) 14 Angus Kernohan 13 Francis Moore 12 Reuben Bird-Tulloch 11 Tom Collins 10 Dan Jones 9 Craig Hampson (21 Lloyd Williams, 64); 1 Kyle Whyte (17 Lefty Zigiriadis, 51) 2 Matt Cornish (16 Cam Terry, 67) 3 Biyo Alo (18 Adam Nicol, 62)4 Sean Lonsdale 5 Danny Cutmore 6 Rob Farrar 7 Simon Uzokwe (20 Doug Bridge, 51) 8 Ryan Smid(captain).

Replacements (not used):   19 Ehize Ehizode 22 George Worboys.

Yellow cards:   9 Craig Hampson (46), 14 Angus Kernohan (54).

Scorers:

Cornish Pirates – tries: 14 Robin Wedlake (39) Penalty try (46) 20 Iwan Price-Thomas (70); cons: 10 Bruce Houston (40) 22 Iwan Jenkins (70);              pens: (10 Bruce Houston (16).

Ealing Trailfinders – tries: 11 Tom Collins (32) 2 Matt Cornish (43) 15 Tobi Wilson (51) 6 Rob Farrar (80); cons: 10 Dan Jones (33, 44, 52); pen: 10 Dan Jones (24).

Referee:   George Selwood

Assistants:   Veryan Boscawen & Calum Howard

Attendance:   1540

‘Tribute’ Man of the Match:   Eoin O’Connor

‘Thatchers’ Try of the Match:   Iwan Price-Thomas