Pirates stage fine comeback for victory

NOTTINGHAM ......................... 19 CORNISH PIRATES .................. 23

CORNISH Pirates joint head coach Gavin Cattle praised the character of his side as they made it two wins from two in the Championship with a superb 23-19 win at Npttingham.

The Cornishmen made a slow start to the game and were facing defeat when they trailed 19-9 in the second half. But a penalty try followed by Matt Johnson crossing saw them turn things round and then repel a late onslaught from the home side to collect four huge points.

“For what was another learning curve it was a good to get the win,” Cattle said. “We were slow out of the blocks in the first half, and it was certainly not a perfect performance, but we did show a lot of character in that second half and put Nottingham under a lot of pressure.

“We also had first half opportunities, but didn’t take them, relying on Arwel’s (Robson) boot to keep us in the game. Importantly, we did though stay calm, and despite a couple of hairy moments after regaining the lead did very well to hold out for victory, with our discipline and composure was pleasing.”

Robson opened the scoring with a brilliant drop goal from long range, but Nottingham hit back in the eighth minute when home skipper Josh Poullet made it over the line for a converted try.

Fly-half Sam Hollingsworth’s fine individual try extended Nottingham’s lead, which was reduced to 12-9 by the boot of Robson.

Scrum-half Liam Slatem opened a 10 points gap with another converted try before the Pirates dug deep to turn it round.

Robson kicked to the corner and, from pressure applied, following a second penalty award the Pirates momentum was rewarded when the referee signalled a penalty try. Not just that, for a misdemeanour by Nottingham centre Charlie Thacker, he was yellow carded and then Johnson crossed for Robson to convert.

In the final minutes it looked all but certain that a final surge from Nottingham would see their efforts rewarded, with fear that the scoring of a standard fivepointer or the award of a penalty try could quite easily gift them a win. A mix of steel-like effort and discipline were keys for the Pirates, who thankfully regained possession close to their line and held out for victory.

Pirates are next in action at home this coming Saturday (2.30pm), for what is an always looked forward to contest against Bedford Blues.