AS the scoreline indicates, this was an excellent win for the Cornish Pirates, their second half performance particularly pleasing and one in which replacement hooker Matt Pritchard scored four tries.

Cornish Pirates’ captain Alex Everett led the home team out, his side clearly keen to make their mark right from the start of the competitive season. In their selected XV, two summer arrivals in full-back Henry Palmer and wing Josh Radcliffe were making their first appearances at Champ level for the club, whilst named on the bench was prop Osman Dimen, who has arrived at the Mennaye Field on a short-term deal from Harlequins.

Quick to impress the Pirates opened the scoring in the eighth minute. No. 8 Hugh Bokenham tested Doncaster’s defence which created space for scrum half Dan Hiscocks to lend support and breeze in for a try at the scoreboard corner. Fly half Arwel Robson converted well from out wide.

For the visitors, their Fijian wing Panaia Tagutu soon displayed guile and strength and was one who clearly posed a danger. Indeed, soon after his first blast down the left touchline, after a penalty award it was hooker Nathan Langdon who powered over at the old Western National corner. Aussie-born scrum half Alex Dolly was luckless with the conversion attempt.

Midway through the half the Pirates extended their lead when some excellent passing finally saw Palmer offload to wing Arthur Relton who scored an unconverted try wide out left.

Enthusiastic chants of ‘Pirates, Pirates’ were already echoing around the ground, which heightened still further when following a drive to the line it was happy hooker Morgan Nelson’s converted try that made it 19-5.

There was, however, a lot of class in in Donny’s ranks, including their Tongan international full-back and skipper Telusa Veainu, plus former England wing Semesa Rokoduguni who partnered recent ‘Pirate’ Harry Yates in the centre. As for their pack, it was generally a powerfully young outfit, and with No. 8 Jasper McGuire catching the eye, it was he who scored a try, converted by Dolly, for the halftime scoreline to read 19-12.

Starting the second half with confidence, another converted try scored again for the Knights by McGuire levelled matters, but from there on it would be all Pirates. Inter-play by Everett and Nelson got the Pirates on the front foot, and after the latter left the field to applause it was his replacement Pritchard who registered the first of his four tries scored in the match. Robson was again on target with his conversion.

When the Pirates were called upon to defend and carry strongly it was replacement Tomi Agbongbon who set the example – one followed by others. Three more driving maul tries for Pritchard followed, two of which were converted, whilst there were woes for the Knights who would first lose replacement Louie Kirkham, and late on a despondent Veainu, to the sin bin. Former England and British Lions player Dean Richards, who has been appointed their Director of Rugby. also understandably appeared a little frustrated.

As for the Pirates, on a lovely sunny day when home supporters really were right royally entertained, it all made for a great start to this season’s Elior Champ Rugby campaign. Achieving such a convincing win, especially against more than useful opponents, surely bodes well, Yes, it is early days, but…..

Speaking after the game, Cornish Pirates’ joint head coach Alan Paver said:

“It was a day to be really pleased with the outcome as we had a quality side against us.

“Scoring seven tries in the match was impressive, with five coming from driving mauls – one in the first half for experienced hooker Morgan Nelson and then four in the second for his replacement Matt Pritchard. Credit to them and to coach Joe Walsh for the work he does in that area.

“We were aware that Doncaster possess some exceptional talent, and especially so in the backs. One or two may be at the back end of their careers, but they nevertheless showed their high skill levels.

“For us it was about working hard if we were going to take kick options and strive not to give them too much room. At times we had to scramble hard, which we did, and although they found a couple of gaps, we showed determination to close them. Also, near the end of the game they tired and we took advantage.

Alan added:

“Ahead of the season we were delighted to keep a nucleus of our team, but at the same time identifying one or two players who could give us that little bit extra in certain areas, and we have seen that. Overall, it was a very pleasing start.”