Cargill goes into overdrive to end Pirates hoodoo

PIRATES fly-half Will Cargill broke down the flank like an Exocet, offloading to wing Alex O’Meara in the 76th minute, to end the Penzance side’s six-year hoodoo at the Athletic Ground.

Two earlier catch and drive tries by No.8 Thomas Duncan and replacement prop Marlen Walker were reward for injury-hit Pirates’ physical dominance to avenge last week’s defeat at London Scottish.

Pirates head coach Gavin Cattle said: “We’ve brought in three amateurs who all did really well and brought in intensity.

“We knew our backs were against the wall but adjusting for the wind in the second half, we took the space, went through the phases and our pace at the end was impressive.”

Cargill opened the scoring but several Pirates’ infringements led to a Richmond five-metre lineout, which went wide to winger Jordan SimpsonHefft, bulldozing through Pirates full-back Toby May before Woodward slid over in the corner.

Richmond centre Cameron Mitchell went to the bin for a one-handed knock down in the 19th minute, and despite skipper Will Warden stealing the ensuing lineout, Duncan went over after another Pirates catch and drive.

Pirates put several phases together after the restart but the game descended into a brawl, both Warden and Cargill yellow carded for foul play after 24 minutes.

But Richmond’s decision to kick to the corner minutes later amounted to nothing after a break by prop Jeremy Cunnew.