Settled Pirates put students to sword

Hartpury .......... 19 C Pirates ........ 35

HARTPURY were muchchanged from their recent league performances and paid the price against a far more cohesive Pirates outfit.

Hartpury looked disjointed, never more so than at the lineout, and it was an early steal by Pirates from which Daniel Koster eventually crossed in the corner.

The hosts did create a fine try, finished by debutant Ed Coulson a few minutes later, but that was as good as it got for them before the break.

Will Cargill added two Pirates’ penalties, either side of a try for full-back Kyle Moyle, who beat everybody to a wickedly bouncing ball.

Trailing 18-5 at the break, Hartpury needed to strike first but Pirates hooker Thomas Channon was next to drive over after the home team had given up field position by kicking out on the full.

Hartpury’s misery was complete when weak midfield defence allowed No.8 Tom Lawday to finish another Pirates attack.

Tries from James Williams and Darrel Dyer both came too late to affect the result and another Cargill kick produced the final scoreline with two minutes to go.

Pirates coach Alan Pavor said: “It was a hardfought game and both sides went out with the right attitude. We had the more settled side and that probably showed.”