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At the recent Coaches Evening at The Mennaye, the overwhelming message to emerge was that everyone was ‘chomping at the bit’ to get the new season underway. It has after all been an unusually long ‘pre-season’ owing to the Rugby World Cup – now underway in Japan.
But with such glorious autumn weather in Richmond – and news that our Sam has done himself proud this morning against Australia – all seemed well with the world. This feeling continued into the opening quarter of an hour of what was to become an intriguing contest. Alex O’Meara’s first try of the game was just reward for the Cornishmen’s early efforts. Will Cargill’s calm kick from out wide into the wind – only adding to the warmth – to give the Pirates a deserved lead.
The Exiles however had selected a dozen ‘freshers’ in their matchday ’23’ – which maybe suggested that the Pirates’ effective continuity in playing personnel would prove to be the difference. Such inference doesn’t account for team spirit – which the hosts’ began to show in bucket loads. Particularly in defence as the visitors sought to improve their own lot.
Not only that – but that 40 something ‘Nemesis’ in the shape of Mark Bright – made an impact five minutes later. Setting up Exiles’ Captain, Lewis Wynne to level things with the help of Dan Barnes’ trusty boot. Game was back on with a vengeance.
With a reliable set piece and discipline noticeably solid – it looked as if Rory Parata had restored the lead – on the back of a jinky run from the impressive AJ. Mr Foley had other ideas and thus it remained level at the break.
The lead was though restored ten minutes into the second period – with Will Cargill slotting three – to reward a strong showing from the Pirates.
Further progress was stunted by an increasingly adventurous Scottish which set up a see-saw last quarter.
Tries from Jack Ingall & Josh Barton for the hosts – the latter’s last contribution of the game were cancelled out by similar for AJ Cant & Alex O’Meara. But Dan Barnes’ boot was that bit steadier at conversion time which made some difference. Albeit by only a single point – until the fly half sealed things with less than a couple of minutes remaining – and that having missed a similar opportunity earlier.
So the RAG hoodoo against the Scots which dates back eight years continues. We should have known. Next week it’s a visit to Yorkshire and a chance to redress this disappointment. Carnegie’s hefty loss at Nottingham maybe some kind of indicator of what to expect….but this is sport and there are no givens to be expected.
Referee:
Tom Foley
AR1:
Clare Daniels
AR2:
Michael Wood
No:4:
Simon Adams
15
Luke Hibberd
14
Harry Barlow
13
Bobby Beattie
12
Matt Gordon
11
Elliott Creed
10
Dan Barnes
9
Josh Barton
( 21
Charlie Gowling)
71
1
Jonny Harris
( 17
Jordan Brodley)
60
2
James Malcolm
( 16
Billy Harding)
63
3
Phil Cringle
( 18
Kyle Whyte)
50
4
Matas Jurevicius
( 19
Hugh Tizard)
68
5
Luke Frost
6
Matt Eliet
( 20
Jack Ingall)
10
7
Lewis Wynne (c)
8
Mark Bright
16
Billy Harding
17
Jordan Brodley
18
Kyle Whyte
19
Hugh Tizard
20
Jack Ingall
21
Charlie Gowling
22
Ollie Allsopp
23
Craig Duncan
Lewis Wynne
20
Jack Ingall
57
Josh Barton
70
Dan Barnes
21
Dan Barnes
58
Dan Barnes
71
Dan Barnes
78
15
AJ Cant
14
Robin Wedlake
13
Rory Parata
( 22
Shae Tucker)
68
12
Nicolas De Battista
( 22
Javier Rojas Alvarez)
60
11
Alex O'Meara
10
Will Cargill
9
Alex Schwarz
( 21
Rhodri Davies)
63
1
Jack Andrew
( 16
Marlen Walker)
63
2
Tom Channon
3
Jay Tyack
( 18
Sam Rodman)
66
4
Fa'atiga Lemalu
5
Brett Beukeboom (c)
6
Matt Bolwell
( 20
Danny Cutmore)
56
7
John Stevens
8
Tom Duncan
16
Marlen Walker
17
Hayden King
18
Sam Rodman
19
Jake Clemson
20
Danny Cutmore
21
Rhodri Davies
22
Javier Rojas Alvarez
23
Shae Tucker
Alex O'Meara
15
AJ Cant
65
Alex O'Meara
73
Will Cargill
16
Will Cargill
50