Cornish Pirates up to fourth after first away win of the season in Yorkshire

THE Cornish Pirates are up to fourth in the table following their first away win of the season at Rotherham Titans on Sunday.

The Yorkshire outfit, whose director of rugby is former Pirates coach Harvey Biljon, have started well following successive promotions, but were no match for the men from Penzance who racked up six tries to build on their home victory over Chinnor 15 days earlier.

The Cornishmen made three changes from last time out with fit-again centre Chester Ribbons coming in, as did lock Milo Hallam and hooker Morgan Nelson.

However, the home side – who had won all three outings at Clifton Lane this term – opened the scoring after a quarter of an hour when, following a penalty award, fly-half Russell Bennett posted the ball left to touch. From the resultant line-out, No. 8 Callum Bustin eventually dotted down for a try that centre Lloyd Hayes converted.

But the Pirates soon responded with Ribbons to the fore and wing Arthur Relton then spotting space to take advantage of, which he did to score a try at the posts to which fly-half Arwel Robson levelled the scores.

The Pirates were now much sharper, with skipper Alex Everett setting his usual example and Relton once again showing his pace and running skills. Forwards Hugh Bokenham and Alfie Petch were making their mark, and when attacking close to the posts it was Robson who scored and converted his own try.

As the break approached the Titans threatened, but without any joy, and to complete the first half scoring, patience for the Pirates was rewarded. Bokenham was the man to ultimately apply the necessary downward pressure for a converted try and a score of 21-7.

The Titans started the second 40 well, but the Pirates had other ideas as a super break and run from Australian wing Henry Palmer ended with a wriggle that enabled him to register a converted try.

A response by the Titans saw full-back Isaac Shaw run brilliantly into the Pirates’ 22, and close to the line it was hard-working prop Zac Nearchou who went over as Bennett knocked over the extras.

Scrum time was going well for the Pirates, as was their line-out and driving maul. Second-rower Josh King was putting in a man of the match performance and it was hooker Morgan Nelson who next scored for the Cornish side.

Wing Ben Cambriani, who featured for the Pirates last year, took his opportunity to cross the line for the Titans third try, to which Hayes again added the extras, but in no mood to lose this encounter it was replacement hooker Matt Pritchard who scored for the visitors after a controlled 10-metre drive to the line.

Replacement Angus Mawson’s conversion attempt was also successful for the final score as the Pirates, who host Richmond this Saturday (3pm), made the long trip back to Cornwall with all five points.

CORNISH PIRATES: Will Becconsall; Arthur Relton, Chester Ribbons, Harry Ascherl, Henry Palmer; Arwel Robson, Dan Hiscocks; Alessandro Heaney, Morgan Nelson, Alfie Petch; Milo Hallam, Josh King; Alex Everett (capt), Jack Forsythe, Hugh Bokenham. Replacements: Matt Pritchard, Jamie Clark, Oscar Dimen, Matt Cannon, Tomi Agbongbon, Angus Mawson, Joe Elderkin, Josh Radcliffe.

Tries: Relton, Robson, Bokenham, Palmer, Nelson, Pritchard; Convs: Robson (4), Mawson; Pens: N/A.

Pirates’ man-of-the-match: Josh King.