Following on from their enjoyable and well hosted friendly at home to Harlequins two weeks previously, and there then the end of an outrageously incredible and wonderful ‘Six Nations’ tournament to witness, the Cornish Pirates were back in action away to Richmond on Saturday for this twelfth versus sixth contest in Elior Champ Rugby.

The Cornish Pirates won a close encounter 28-19 at home to Richmond at the end of November, and looking to complete the double in West London they did it with a fair old bit to spare. Also, in the process, they passed the sixty points mark for the first time in a league match this season, and at the same time moved up to fifth in the table.

On the bench, versatile front rower Matt Pritchard was named as one of the replacement props and, fit again to make his first league appearance for the Cornish Pirates since being injured away at Nottingham in last season’s opening league encounter, replacement flanker John Stevens was eager for action.

On a beautiful sunny day in West London, the pleasingly settled weather conditions were seemingly perfect for rugby when action got underway at the Athletic Ground. They were also pretty good for goalkickers, and it was home full-back Callum Grieve who took advantage to open the game’s scoring with a successful fourth minute penalty strike.

The Pirates were prompt to hit back when hooker Morgan Nelson powered over the line for an unconverted try, and although Grieve was on song with a second penalty strike it was not long before the forcefully dominant Cornish side extended their lead still further thanks to two converted tries scored by flanker Luke Ratcliff.

Further tries for the Pirates would be scored before the break, firstly by Nelson and then lock forward Milo Hallam, whose performances are making an impression. Both scores were converted by Robson.

With the halftime scoreline reading 6-33, such was the dominance witnessed from the Pirates there was surely every hope of them securing a comfortable victory, and likely with a fair bit to spare.

As for a next score for the visitors to the ‘RAG, that came eight minutes into the second period. Centre Chester Ribbons first made a telling midfield burst before timing his pass perfectly to supporting scrum-half Dan Hiscocks. Robson slotted the extra two points.

Further Pirates’ pressure resulted in the award of a penalty try, and after wing Arthur Relton’s converted try took the score past the fifty-mark, it was Richmond’s replacement hooker Callum Torpey who pounced to touch down a converted consolation try that was converted by replacement Lewis Dennett.

In time remaining the Pirates scored two more tries. Replacement wing Matty Ward scampered over for the first which was converted by replacement fly-half Louie Sinclair, and the final say went to replacement hooker Sol Moody who’s not so unlucky thirteenth try of the season brought things to a conclusion.

Commenting at the end of Saturday’s contest, Cornish Pirates’ joint head coach Gavin Cattle said:

“Firstly, I felt we had to be on our mettle to a good level, as Richmond have run several good teams close.

“I was delighted how we applied ourselves, especially in the first half when we shifted the point of contact and our power game pleased when we got the right people on the front foot.

“Such a convincing scoreline wasn’t expected, but it is naturally pleasing, and although certain of our starts and defensive sets weren’t perhaps acceptable, with the ultimate result achieved I am ready and happy to get on the bus back home.”

Richmond:   15 Callum Grieve 14 Chidera Obonna 13 Paddy Case (captain) 12 Jason Baggott 11 Greg Kitson 10 Alex Burrage 9 Freddie Charles; 1 Theo Bevacqua 2 Will Goffey 3 Luke Spring 4 Jake Monson 5 Fred Hosking 6 Ethan Benson 7 Xavier Hastings 8 Sam Pim.

Replacements:   16 Callum Torpey 17 Seb Brownhill 18 Jimmy Litchfield 19 George Nugent 20 Miles Wakeling 21 Matt Marsh 22 Lewis Dennett 23 Paul Altier.

Yellow cards. George Nugent, Sam Pim, Jason Baggott.

Cornish Pirates:   15 Angus Mawson 14 Arthur Relton 13 Chester Ribbons 12 Harry Yates 11 Ben Cambriani 10 Arwel Robson 9 Dan Hiscocks; 1 James French 2 Morgan Nelson 3 Alfie Petch 4 Milo Hallam 5 Matt Cannon 6 Alex Everett (captain) 7 Luke Ratcliff 8 Tomi Agbongbon.

Replacements:   16 Sol Moody 17 Matt Pritchard 18 Ben Woodmansey 19 Josh King 20 John Stevens 21 Will Becconsall 22 Louie Sinclair 23 Matty Ward.

Scorers:

Richmond – try:  Torpey; con: Dennett; pens: Grieve (2)

Cornish Pirates – tries: Nelson (2), Ratcliff (2), Hallam, Hiscocks, Penalty try, Relton, Ward, Moody; cons: Robson (6), Sinclair.

Referee:   Ben Wood.

Attendance:   N/A