All square the right result, say coaches

AFTER a bruising, seesawing game in difficult, windy conditions, both coaches agreed the draw was a fair conclusion.

Cornish Pirates co-head coach Gavin Cattle thought it “a fair result against a settled, consistent side”, though he was not happy with the performance or kick selection.

Pirates took an early lead and dominated the first quarter. The scrum was a clear point of advantage, and they were awarded two scrum penalties.

However Richmond had their moments too, building pressure deep in the 22, before losing the ball at the back of a drive.

Pirates broke back quickly, left wing Callum Sirker slipping several tackles to run 50 metres. Pirates moved the ball well, sucking in defenders until Shae Tucker completed the move.

Harry Bazalgette kicked the first of two excellent conversions, the second following another well worked attack down the left. This time, the home defence held out at the corner, but Tom Duncan picked up and dived over.

At this stage, Pirates looked assured, but it was Richmond who got the next three tries.

The first followed a lovely one-handed pass from Ted Landray to set James Kane free. The centre in turn found James Lennon and he scored under the posts.

This buoyed Richmond, who had the edge in the lineouts and were starting to draw some penalties. From one lineout, Owain James got the ball 15 metres out and stepped his way past two defenders, giving a scoring pass to blindside flanker Huw Worthington, who was excellent all game.

The third try just before half-time was more familiar, No.8 Mark Bright scoring from the back of a drive.

The second half was always tight and nervy, both sides resorting to more kicking. Pirates came out fired up and scored after six minutes, Duncan getting his second try from a bulldozing lineout drive.

Richmond responded with a penalty to extend their lead to five points.

When Richmond conceded three successive penalties, Pirates had another close-range lineout. Mark Bolwell hurtled towards the line but referee Dan Jones, directly in his path, appeared to make contact and certainly blocked Richmond defenders. The officials conferred and the try was given. Kane had one more chance to win with a long-distance penalty, but in the end the sides could not be split.