Match report direct from the Pirates website www.cornish-pirates.com and photograph by Simon Bryant.Cornish Pirates 34 Esher 18
RFU Championship Round 8
Sunday 23rd October
Keen to bounce back to winning ways following a loss at home to Bedford and then a draw away to Nottingham, the Cornish Pirates did just that against a useful Esher side.
Wing David Doherty, who crossed for two of the home team's five tries scored in the match, took his Championship tally to six for the season.
On a forecast windy afternoon and with the visitors having it on their backs for the opening forty, they were quick to take advantage when with just a couple of minutes on the clock full-back Rob Kirby successfully slotted a penalty from some 37 metres out.
Playing with confidence it was not long before Esher extended their lead when hooker Kevin Corrigan forced his way over for an unconverted try at the scoreboard corner.
Soon taking play to to the right, following two catch and drives at the Newlyn gate corner, lock Mike Myerscough galloped over for the Pirates first try. Full-back Rob Cook struck his conversion attempt well, but it was held up short by the wind.
It was not long though before the Pirates went ahead, as wing Doherty scored the first of his two tries when dotting the ball comfortably down on the left. On anything but an easy day for kicking, Cook was unable to add the extras.
Esher regained the lead when Kirby kicked his second penalty, as both sides proceeded to entertain with some perhaps surprisingly open play. The Pirates moved the ball well through the half-back hands of skipper James Doherty and Ceiron Thomas, and hooker Rob Elloway, but when Esher broke the stranglehold wing Charlie Walker sped away and off-loaded to centre Phil Mackenzie whose try near the posts was converted by Kirby.
The Pirates looked to respond once more, there a sense that a few further points before the break should make them feel relatively satisfied. Yes, they were at first held up at the Newlyn gate corner, but after visiting prop Ollie Mines was yellow-carded they took immediate advantage to score a try through hooker Rob Elloway which was followed by an excellent conversion slotted by Cook.
With the last play of the half Kirby attempted a long range penalty attempt, but it fell short to leave the scoreline reading 17-18.
The Pirates were keen to start the second period well, and although Cook missed with one penalty attempt, he made no mistake to nudge the Pirates ahead with a second easier chance that soon came his way.
The 'EEEs' had to date looked anything but a bottom of the table team, and supporters about who earlier in the day enjoyed an absorbing Rugby World Cup final between New Zealand and France, were also surely enjoying this encounter.
Esher probed for a spell deep inside the Newlyn half, but the Pirates held the threat and released the pressure when captain Doherty pumped his legs tenaciously to give his team some 'go forward'. Good play followed from No. 8 Ben Maidment, and locks Ian Nimmo and Myerscough, with the latter unlucky not to score again when he stretched his frame close to the line.
Snaffling possession Esher looked to counter through the alertness of scrum-half Clive Stuart-Smith and dangerman replacement wing Sam Edgerley. Indeed, play was soon taken close to the Newlyn line, only for their efforts to be wasted when the ball was eventually knocked on.
Edgerley and Phil Mackenzie both looked menacing, and now was the chosen time for the Pirates to introduce replacement centre Andrew Suniula to proceedings, the debutant's last game time having been for the USA in the World Cup.
It was not long before the Pirates turned defence into attack once more, Myerscough again a potent ball carrier before it ultimately found the hands of David Doherty who darted to the line for a his second try of the game, a bonus point providing effort, which was comfortably converted by Cook.
The Pirates had opened a bit of a gap but it was still far too early to write the visitors off, as certain of their personnel had shown a spark in their play that could create real damage if given the opportunity. As it worked out, however, the Pirates held out and secured victory when replacement scrum-half Tom Kessell extended an arm over the line for a final converted try of the afternoon.
The win for the Cornish Pirates puts them up to second in the league table, five points behind leaders Bristol and one point ahead of Bedford Blues, London Welsh, and Rotherham Titans.
Cornish Pirates:
R. Cook, G. Pointer (R. McAtee 49), D. Locke, S. Hill (A. Suniula 54), D. Doherty, C. Thomas, J. Doherty (capt, T. Kessell), B. Maidment (B. Cowan 63), P. Burgess, C. Morgan, I. Nimmo (L. McGlone 63), M. Myerscough, R. Brits (P. Andrew 63, R. Elloway 78), R. Elloway (T. Cowan-Dickie 74), P. Andrew (C. Rimmer 53).
Esher:
R. Kirby (S. Renwick 73), C. Walker, P. Mackenzie, A. Wright, T. Loizedes (S. Edgerley h/t), M. Atkinson (C. Ingall 60), C. Stuart-Smith (J. Mackenzie 65), C. Goodman, S. Stitcher (capt), M. Macfarlane (J. Gethings 38-48, P.Synott 55), I. Kench, P. Parker, R. Boot (J. Gethings 49), K. Corrigan, O. Mines.
Replacement (not used): S. Mackie.
Yellow card: Mines.
Scorers:-
Cornish Pirates
Tries: D. Doherty (2), Myerscough, Elloway, Kessell
Cons: Cook (3)
Pen: Cook
Esher
Tries D: Corrigan, P. Mackenzie
Con: Kirby
Pens: Kirby (2)
Referee: Michael Tutty RFU
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