Westholme, Alexandra Road,

Penzance, Cornwall, TR18 4LY

Tel: 01736 331961 Email: [email protected]

Cornish Pirates 51

Richmond 20

8 April, 2018

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League / Cup

Greene King IPA Championship Rd 20

Stadium

Mennaye Field, Penzance

Attendance

1360

Home

Cornish Pirates 51

Away

Richmond 20

Martin 'Woll' Woollatt

Make no mistake – the Cornish Pirates’ end of season run-in is suddenly looking rather tasty on a number of levels – including off the pitch as interest there reaches another decisive point.

This fifth Championship win on the bounce – courtesy of another flurry of tries, including a hat-trick for skipper, Nico De Battista – has moved the Cornishmen up to 4th in the standings. Something many would have discounted as fantasy (and still do in certain circles no doubt) only weeks ago – which only goes to prove the adage “that it ain’t over etc etc”.

All this – and on a glorious afternoon in Penwith when Spring at last decided it was time to make an appearance!

Form suggested another entertaining eighty minutes beckoned and this was confirmed with only 90 seconds elapsed, as Pirates’ centre – Dan Koster – pounced on a loose ball on halfway. His gallop to the Penzance End posts was a formality – as was Will Cargill’s first of seven successful pots for his shift.

Richmond though, were clearly not here to make up the numbers, as their early ambition clearly displayed. The Londoner’s willingness to spread things wide caused the home defence sufficient problems- so much so that the host’s penalty count began to show cause for concern.

A brace of penalties for ‘Mond’s full back – Rob Kirby – deservedly reduced the Pirates early lead to only the point. And with half an hour completed this deficit remained so – as firstly Alex O’Meara celebrated his 50th appearance with a try. Whilst Richmond’s Jesse Liston was bundled over in the Newlyn Gate Corner at the 3rd time of asking.

Sadly for the visitors – this was as good as it was going to be – as the Pirates took charge from hereon.

Discipline restored and half time in sight – Cargill’s delicate chip into the opposition’s 22 bounced kindly for Nico De B – who’s fist in the air said everything – and his first try set his team on a path they were not to stray from.

Cargill’s penalty just after half time maintained the momentum, which set up a third quarter that was to kill off the contest.

Moyler’s 100th run-out turned sweeter only four minutes later. The full back’s initial burst set the platform for that crucial bonus point try. Tom Lawday then took matters into his own capable hands as the ball went wide left and – with at least two defenders nursing his hand-offs – Canadian wing Matt Evans nailed the first of his pair.

Three further tries in less than twenty minutes affirmed the Pirates’ superiority – De Battista 2, and Evans – whilst Cargill’s 65th minute penalty continued to turn the screw.

There was no way back now for the visitors as the Pirates basked in another 50 point showing – but their tenacity in the game’s dying embers highlighted commendable spirit. Phipp’s consolation try in the Scoreboard Corner and Kirby’s accuracy from the tee – at least gave their contribution to proceedings the respectability it warranted.

Match Officials

Referee:

Adam Leal

AR1:

Nick Marshall

AR2:

Peter Brunt

No:4:

Adam Wookey

Assessor:

Peter Farrell

The Line Ups

Cornish Pirates Starting 15

15

Kyle Moyle

( 21

Laurence May)

62

14

Alex O'Meara

13

Dan Koster

( 20

Nico Coronel)

51

12

Nicolas De Battista (c)

11

Matt Evans

10

Will Cargill

9

Alex Day

( 22

Reiss Cullen)

70

1

Billy Keast

2

Dan Frost

( 16

Marlen Walker)

56

3

Christian Judge

( 17

Jack Andrew)

56

4

Toby Freeman

( 18

Josh Caulfield)

55

5

Brett Beukeboom

6

Tom Lawday

7

John Stevens

( 19

Dan Lee)

55

8

Tom Duncan

Substitutes

16

Marlen Walker

17

Jack Andrew

18

Josh Caulfield

19

Dan Lee

20

Nicolas Coronel

21

Laurence May

22

Reiss Cullen

Tries

Dan Koster

2

Alex O'Meara

17

Nico De Battista

37

Matt Evans

46

Nico De Battista

58

Nico De Battista

71

Matt Evans

77

Conversions

Will Cargill

3

Will Cargill

18

Will Cargill

38

Will Cargill

47

Will Cargill

72

Penalties

Will Cargill

43

Will Cargill

65

Richmond Starting 15

15

Rob Kirby

14

Jono Woodward

( 20

Cam Hudson)

48

13

Cameron Mitchell

12

Ronnie McLean

11

Jordan Simpson-Hefft

10

Rory Damant

9

Luc Jones

( 19

Jamie Gibbs)

58

1

Jeremy Cunnew

( 17

Will Goodrick-Clarke)

53

2

Ross Grimstone

( 16

Jason Phipps)

58

3

Joe Tarrant

( 22

Craig Trenier)

60

4

Will Warden (c)

( 18

Charlie Lenygon)

63

5

Chris Davies

6

Jesse Liston

( 21

Harrison Edwards)

53

7

Jack Allcock

8

Jake Parker

Substitutes

16

Jason Phipps

17

Will Goodrick-Clarke

18

Charlie Lenygon

19

Jamie Gibbs

20

Cam Hudson

21

Harrison Edwards

22

Craig Trenier

Tries

Jesse Liston

28

Jason Phipps

80

Conversions

Rob Kirby

29

Rob Kirby

80

Penalties

Rob Kirby

6

Rob Kirby

14