Advantage Pirates as they topple Knights
DONCASTER KNIGHTS 24 CORNISH PIRATES 26
THE Cornish Pirates recorded an excellent victory away to Doncaster Knights in the first leg of round one the Championship Cup
It was also the home team’s first loss in a competitive match at Castle Park since their defeat at the hands of Saracens last April
With league pressure behind them, the Pirates selected a side littered with young talent all keen to give a good account of themselves, and skippered by back rower Matt Bolwell.
On a breezy but generally beautiful day at Castle Park, prop Sam Rodman unluckily received a mouth wound in just the third minute. It led to Hayden King coming on as a replacement and playing his first game at tight head for the club.
The Pirates opened the scoring on the quarter of an hour mark. Centre Joe Elderkin had made a half break to take play to Doncaster’s 22, but the threat was held. However, the Pirates maintained momentum and, following sharp play from scrumhalf Ruaridh Dawson and lock Danny Cutmore, it was wing Robin Wedlake who made it to the line for the game’s opening try. Fly-half Harry Bazalgette narrowly missed with his conversion attempt.
The home side levelled matters following a kick from fly-half Billy McBryde that was well gathered by former Pirate Harry Davey, who then timed his pass to supporting fullback and try-scorer Mark Best. The conversion attempt was missed.
As half-time approached the Pirates were put under pressure, but survived for the score to stay at fiveall.
The Pirates got off to a perfect start to the second 40, as centre Shae Tucker first ran with confidence to score at the posts, and then there was another try scored soon after, this time by replacement hooker Marlen Walker. Both efforts were converted by Bazalgette.
Gifted penalties, the Knights responded. The points deficit was narrowed midway through the second period, as following Pirates’ fullback AJ Cant being shown a yellow card a penalty try was awarded the home team.
McBryde found an excellent touch from a penalty kick, and from a close-range driving maul it was replacement hooker Will Holling who scored a converted try to make it 19-all.
The Knights looked to move out of defence but Cant, now back in the action, intercepted and ran in a bonus point providing fourth try which was converted by Bazalgette.
With just seconds remaining replacement Thom Smith scored his team’s fourth try but McBryde missed the conversion to draw the match.
Speaking after the game, Cornish Pirates’ joint head coach Gavin Cattle said: “It was great to get such a win on the road especially after the enduring league season.
“I was a little bit worried about the energy levels coming up here, and it could have gone either way in an at times scrappy affair, but the boys put up a terrific front
“In a match where both teams had a lot of changes I thought our half backs Ruaridh (Dawson) and Harry (Bazalgette) controlled the game really well and it helped their development.
Cattle added: “To travel up to Doncaster and get such a result provides confidence. The boys were excited, the attitude great, and throwing themselves into it and there was some good stuff to reflect upon.”
Attention now turns to the second leg, with the Knights visiting the Mennaye Field on Saturday, April 23.