In Round 19 of the Championship, at the end of this 5^th versus 3^rd contest at the Mennaye Field an energetic Cornish Pirates’ side climbed up one place in the league with a victory that they justly deserved.

It was the fourth meeting between the two sides this season, the Cornish Pirates having won 43-7 at home in the Premiership Cup in February, but having lost 41-26 away in the Cup back in November and 34-10 in the league in January.

This week’s starting XV saw fit again Joe Elderkin named in the centre and Robin Wedlake selected on the wing. Hooker Matt Pritchard made his first start in Pirates’ colours, and in the back row Matt Cannon wore the ‘6’ shirt in place of Josh King who this week partnered Charlie Rice in the second row. On the bench prop Jenson Boughton was on loan from Plymouth Albion.

In a week when VE Day was commemorated, there was a worthy and respectful minute’s applause ahead of kick-off with Veterans and Sea Cadets (and their officers) joining the teams and match officials in the line-up on the field.

As for the match action, from the start the Pirates knew a tough old encounter lay ahead, with the visitors including two former Pirates in hooker Will Crane and fly-half Harry Bazalgette.

Quick out of their blocks, with dust aplenty flying on the dried-out pitch, the Pirates applied pressure at the old Western National corner. However, after Hartpury held strong it was their inside centre Robbie Smith who broke into space near halfway and ran cleverly, with good use of his throttle, to score to the right of the Penzance posts. Bazalgette added the extras.

On the quarter hour mark the Pirates responded. Prop Billy Young and lock King were to the fore and, after the ball was worked right and then left, it was a flamboyant pass by Robin Wedlake to his fellow winger Matt McNab who scored out wide. Fly-half Bruce Houston also struck his conversion attempt perfectly to level the scores.

Hartpury have proved in games this season that they have a powerful pack, and once again it was beginning to show. Their strength was persistent as they dominated play inside the Pirates ‘22’ but, after the home side showed considerable mettle defensively, they then took play deep inside Hartpury’s half and to the line from where a penalty try was suddenly awarded. In the process, Hartpury also immediately lost the services of flanker Sam Lewis, who referee Mr. Simpson directed to the sin bin.

Could the Pirates use numerical advantage in the period to halftime? Well, the answer was ‘yes’, they did. Matt Cannon was well involved with a forward burst, and it was full-back Will Trewin whose fine score was converted to make it 21-7 at the break.

At the start of the second period the Pirates were called upon to defend well. An initial thrust was thwarted, but when Hartpury pulled out the stops again it was Bazalgette who scuppered over for a try to the right of the Newlyn posts, which he also converted.

Clearly this game was still in the balance, and seemingly especially so after a successful penalty strike by Bazalgette brought the visitors to within just four points of their hosts.

Into the last quarter, however, it was clear though that the Pirates were in no mood to let this one slip, as they proceeded to deny Hartpury a first ever win at the good old ‘Mennaye’. The play of such as skipper Alex Everett and man of the match lock Charle ‘Buster’ Rice exemplified energetic effort required, whilst the try of the match scored by replacement Harry Yates was a true ‘beaut’. It was also a bonus point providing score, after Trewin had made an intervention and had timed his pass perfectly. Replacement fly-half Iwan Jenkins’ conversion attempt was a good one, and although missing the Pirates held out for their deserved victory, albeit after witnessing what one could honestly describe as being something of a clearly tense and then feisty finish.

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

“Both teams deserve credit and as we were fully aware Hartpury have been going very well. Knowing they were strong, for us the good thing was how we dealt with their pack threat, and doing our homework our forwards did well.

“We showed a good level of cohesion and no lack of individual spark when needed, and especially so in relation to the last try we scored. Providing us with a bonus point and to climb up a place in the league was also very pleasing.”

Cornish Pirates:   15 Will Trewin 14 Robin Wedlake (23 Harry Yates, 56) 13 Chester Ribbons 12 Joe Elderkin 11 Matt McNab (21 Will Rigelsford, 79) 10 Bruce Houston (22 Iwan Jenkins, 64) 9 Dan Hiscocks; 1 Billy Young 2 Matt Pritchard (16 Harry Hocking, 56) 3 James French 4 Charlie Rice 5 Josh King 6 Matt Cannon (19 Fintan Coleman, 69) 7 Jack Forsythe (20 Tomiwa Agbongbon, 70) 8 Alex Everett (captain).

Replacements (not used):   17 Jenson Boughton 18 Ben Woodmansey.

Hartpury:   15 Alex Morgan 14 Brad Denty (23 Oscar Wilson, 67) 13 Josiah Edwards-Giraud 12 Robbie Smith (22 Max Knight, 62) 11 Ollie Holiday 10 Harry Bazalgette 9 Mike Austin; 1 Archie McCarthur (17 Aristot Benz-Salomon, 52) 2 Will Crane (co-captain; 16 Ethan Hunt 25) 3 Alex Gibson (18 Ollie Minnis, 70) 4 Peter Paramore (21 Rhys Price, 70); 5 Jack Davies (co-captain) 6 Sam Lewis (19 Tom Worts, 65; 6 Sam Lewis, 70) 7 Harry Short 8 Cam Cobbett (20 Josh Gray (16).

Yellow card:   6 Sam Lewis (31).

Scorers:

Cornish Pirates – tries: 11 Matt McNab (15) Penalty Try (31) 15 Will Trewin (35) Harry Yates 65; cons: 10 Bruce Houston (15, 35)

Hartpury – 12 Robbie Smith (08) 10 Harry Bazalgette (49); cons: 10 Harry Bazalgette (08, 49); pen: 10 Harry Bazalgette (56)

Referee:   Ben Simpson

Assistants:   Iain Kiy & Kevin Williams

Attendance:   1387

‘Tribute’ Man of the Match:   Charlie ‘Buster’ Rice

‘Thatchers’ Try of the Match:   Harry Yates