CORNISH PIRATES 31 COVENTRY 26

Cornish Pirates staged a magnificient fightback to inflict defeat on Coventry in front of 1,700 supporters at the Mennaye on Saturday, writes Phil Westren.

With 33 minutes on the clock the visitors held a 26-7 lead but the Pirates’ response was special, and the victory ultimately richly deserved.

Having lost to Coventry 32-19 in the away encounter played last October, the Pirates were keen to gain revenge against a side who are enjoying a fine season.

Changes in the Cornish Pirates starting XV, some forced from the one that faced Ampthill the previous week, saw returns for lock Cory Teague, and for loose-head prop Marlen Walker and wing Tommy Wyatt who both saw action at Ampthill as replacements. 

Lock Steele Barker, who had made his league debut off the bench in Bedfordshire, was also ready to make his first league start, whilst fresh faces returning on the bench were those of Ollie Adkins, Joe Elderkin, and Will Trewin.

In initially damp and dull conditions, the Pirates were quick to test Coventry’s defence, for whom flanker Josh Bainbridge showed he was up for the test.

Displaying defensive qualities one minute, following a line-out steal the visitors soon after threatened. Using acquired possession well, their attack deep inside the Pirates half ended with scrum-half Will Chudley, who has a wealth of Premiership experience behind him, scoring the game’s opening try. His Aussie halfback partner Pat Pellegrini added the extra two points.

The Pirates were then immediately reduced to 14 men after scrum-half Alex Schwarz was sent to the sin bin, for perceived foul play at the time his opposite number scored. 

One player already impressing for Coventry was young hooker Suva Ma’asi, son of former Pirates favourite Vili. He was well involved in events leading to his team’s second try, scored by centre Lucas Titherington, and again converted by Pellegrini.

The Midlanders certainly had an air of confidence about them, and understandably so, which was added to further when prop Ollie Andrews drove over the line to register try number three.

It all looked a little worrying for the home side, who needed points of their own. They would, thankfully, materialise, thanks to a try scored by skipper John Stevens after pressure was applied close to Coventry’s line. Fly-half Arwel Robson followed up with a successful conversion.

The visitors hit back with a bonus point providing try scored by Ma’asi and converted by Pellegrini. Their slick passing and good support play had impressed, but the Pirates thankfully managed to conjure up one more converted try before the break, scored by hooker Will Crane.

A 26-14 half-time scoreline provided some encouragement, before a fascinating second 40 unravelled.

The half did not start well for the Pirates, who were quick to lose the services of yellow-carded Stevens for 10 minutes, but with resolve and introducing fresh legs they would leak no more points. 

Yes, with ball in hand Coventry went close on several occasions, and a penalty goal attempt by Pellegrini also drifted wide, but the tide turned in favour of the Pirates.

Losing the services of lock James Tyas and replacement hooker Will Biggs to the sin bin in the space of five minutes hardly helped Coventry’s cause, as did Pirates’ replacement hooker Morgan Nelson, a hat-trick hero in the win at Ampthill, firstly scoring a try converted by replacement fly-half Harry Bazalgette. 

Then, with the game at fever pitch, not only did Biggs depart but the Pirates were also awarded a penalty try that gave them the lead for the first time.

With 14 minutes left, one could be forgiven for thinking that the game was still in the balance, but it did not feel like that. With the Pirates in the ascendancy, there was a strong sense that they were simply not going to lose. 

A final score, a fine penalty strike from Bazalgette, had to wait until the very last seconds before the team, who had shown immense character, and their supporters could joyously rejoice.

And boy they did.

Cornish Pirates: 15 AJ Cant 14 Arthur Relton (23 Will Trewin, 45) 13 Rory Parata 12 Garyn Smith (20 Joe Elderkin, 42) 11 Tommy Wyatt 10 Arwel Robson (22 Harry Bazalgette, 40) 9 Alex Schwarz (21 Ruaridh Dawson, 60); 1 Marlen Walker (17 Ollie Adkins, 40) 2 Will Crane (16 Morgan Nelson, 50) 3 Matt Johnson (18 Harvey Beaton, 40) 4 Steele Barker 5 Cory Teague 6 Alex Everett 7 Will Gibson 8 John Stevens (captain;19 Jarrard Hayler, 56). 

Yellow cards: 9 Alex Schwarz (09) 6 John Stevens (45).  

Coventry: 15 Will Talbot-Davies 14 Louis James (23 Will Wand, 52) 13 Will Rigg 12 Lucas Titherington 11 James Martin 10 Pat Pellegrini 9 Will Chudley (21 Joe Snow, 72); 1 Toby Trinder (captain; 17 James Kenny, 50) 2 Suva Ma’asi (16 Will Biggs, 50) 3 Ollie Andrews (18 Jake Bridges, 57) 4 James Tyas (19 George Smith, 72) 5 Adam Peters 6 Tom Dodd (20 Rhys Thomas, 16) 7 Josh Bainbridge 8 Senitiki Nayalo. 

Replacement (not used): 22 Evan Mitchell.

Yellow cards: 4 James Tyas (60) 16 Will Biggs (65).                                                   

Scorers. Cornish Pirates – tries:  8 John Stevens (29) 2 Will Crane (40) 16 Morgan Nelson (60) Penalty Try; cons: 10 Arwel Robson (30, 40) 22 Harry Bazalgette (61); pen: 22 Harry Bazalgette (80).

Coventry – tries: 9 Will Chudley (08) 12 Lucas Titherington (10) 3 Ollie Andrews (23) 32 Suva Ma’asi (32); cons: 10 Pat Pellegrini (09, 17, 33).  

Referee: Mike Hudson. Assistants: Simon Adams & Lionel Spooner.

Tribute MoM: Tommy Wyatt.

Attendance: 1,718.