Welcome back and Happy New Year too you all. Thanks to all at the Pirates for the match report and the picture.Bedford Blues 32-13 Cornish Pirates
RFU Championship Round 16
Goldington Road Bedford
Sunday 1st January 2012
Phil Westren's Match Report
2012 started on a high note for Bedford Blues but on a low for the Pirates as first half lapses in defence gifted the home side a worthy victory. With the Cornish side also beaten 34-24 by Bedford at the Mennaye Field in October, in recording this win the Blues thus made it a double in Stage One of this season's RFU Championship.
Playing down the slope in front of a packed Goldington Road ground, the Pirates were keen to make a good start in what was an explosive opening to the game. However, it was Bedford who created the sparks to set the field alight when fly-half Jake Sharp made a break and passed to centre Henry Staff who crossed out wide for the game's opening try. Full-back James Pritchard was unable to add the extras.
It was not before the Blues extended their lead, Sharp once again the creator who took advantage of a hole in the Pirates defence to send impressive young wing Josh Bassett in for his eleventh try of the season. Skipper Pritchard this time slotted the easier conversion on offer.
The Pirates needed to respond positively, and they did. A run from full-back Rob Cook gave them the impetus to apply pressure deep in Bedford's half, and from a line-out pack power was rewarded for hooker Dave Ward to be identified ultimately as the try-scorer. Cook's conversion from wide missed.
Following sound work at the line-out and a break made by skipper and scrum-half Gavin Cattle it was not long before the Pirates threatened once more, forcing Bedford to defend close to their line. Pressure created would again tell, this time with a penalty awarded which Cook struck successfully to make the scoreline 12-8.
Back in the match was boost for the Pirates, but the feeling was short lived as their defence would again let them down. Bedford's scrum-half Darryl Veenendaal was this time on hand to record their third try of the afternoon, and Pritchard duly added the conversion.
Seeking a bonus point providing fourth try before the break, and roared on by their crowd, it was not long coming. Centre Brendan Burke's dash was thwarted by a fine tackle made by Pirates lock Matt Smith, but the delay was momentary, as maintaining the squeeze enabled flanker Sacha Harding to register the five points sought. Pritchard's conversion added two extra.
The Pirates had no argument. Bedford deserved their lead and actually extended it still further in the 39th minute when Sharp almost cheekily landed a dropped goal to make it 29-8.
It was already likely 'game over', and with the Pirates having to play up the slope it would surely be, quite literally, an uphill battle.
A penalty from Pritchard extended Bedford's lead early in the second period, but the Pirates responded to show character and eventually wore down Bedford's defensive resolve to score their second try of the match through flanker Chris Morgan. Cook's conversion unluckily bounced back off the right post.
Making a number of changes in personnel the Pirates continued to play with extra vigour. Cook displayed considerable spirit, as did Ward and flanker Phil Burgess, and with centre Drew Locke threatening the home side was forced to defend for a lengthy spell. To their credit, however, the Blues held out well, and New Year's Day was clearly theirs to celebrate.
The Pirates departed Goldington Road feeling a little forlorn and bruised, but have their chance to bounce back and redeem themselves in a fourth versus seventh in the table clash against Nottingham at the Mennaye Field on Sunday – Kick Off 2pm.
Bedford Blues
15. James Pritchard (c) 14. David Vincent 13. Brendan Burke 12. Henry Staff
11. Josh Bassett 10. Jake Sharp 9. Darryl Veenendaal
1.Nico Steenkamp 2. Neil Cochrane 3. Dan Seal 4. Mike Howard
5. Alex Rae (Billy Johnson) 6. Gregor Gillanders 7. Sacha Harding 8. Don Barrell
Replacements:
16. Chris Locke, 17. Phil Boulton, 18. Billy Johnson, 19. Paul Tupai
20. Stefan Liebenberg, 21. Jamie Lennard, 22. Ian Vass
Cornish Pirates :
R. Cook, M. Evans, T. Cooper D. Locke, D. Doherty
C. Thomas ), G. Cattle (c) , B. Maidment, P. Burgess, C. Morgan
M. Myerscough (Cowan), M. Smith, A. Paver, D. Ward, P. Andrew
Replacements
C. Rimmer, T. Cowan-Dickie, L. Fairbrother, D. Ewers,
B. Cowan, T. Kessell, G. Pointer
Scorers
Bedford
Tries: 4 - Henry Staff, Josh Bassett, Darryl Veenendaal, Sacha Harding
Conversions: 3 - James Pritchard
Penalties: 1 - James Pritchard
Drop Goal: 1 - Jake Sharp
Cornish Pirates
Tries: 2 - Dave Ward, Chris Morgan
Conversions:
Penalties: 1 - Rob Cook
Match Officials
Ref: Stephen Lee, Yorkshire
AR 1: Thomas Davis, Buckinghamshire
AR2: Stephen Savage, Warwickshire
Ref Coach: Paul Dunnett, Bedfordshire
Attendance: 4,396
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