Thank to our friends at Cornish Pirates, Woll for the match report and Simon Bryant for the photo.Cornish Pirates 33-3 Nottingham
British & Irish Cup Quarter Final
Woll's Match Report
Chris Stirling was comfortable with proceedings, as were his Pirates generally; en route to their objective of joining Munster, Cross Keys and (simultaneously) Leinster as British & Irish Cup semi-finalists.
Even so; and despite rarely having to dig deep into reserves, the Pirate faithful had to wait until the hour mark before they could finally relax; thanks to some resolute defence from the visitors. Who else but the ‘Mongolian wannabee’ Ward, to deliver the goods, as he rumbled up to the back of resetting maul at the Newlyn End; before trundling over a pile of Nottingham bodies to claim his side’s third try of the afternoon.
Genghis K would have been proud.
Up till then, the result hadn’t really looked in doubt from the moment Cowan-Dickie was held up fifteen minutes in, as a youthful Cornish midfield barely old enough to eat solids had more than repelled all boarders to this point.
The much changed Midlander’s therefore found little comfort from a lively start, as their only real chance created by Stokes only highlighted the need to convert this effort into points. Something the Pirates were to punish ruthlessly with more incisive execution on the rare occasion they too found themselves within striking distance.
Two tries either side of the first quarter mark from Maidment and the new youngster Short, thus did the damage and set the platform from which the hosts would surely build on.
In tandem with the relaxed atmosphere in general though, this didn’t materialise in the first period much to the coaching team’s frustration. Not unsurprisingly a call in the changing room for more intensity was forthcoming. Particularly as a 35 th minute penalty from former Albion fly half, Hallett, reduced the gap by three; and the spectre of a disappointing cup exit at least reared its head slightly above the parapet.
This request was duly responded to from Ian Davies’s restart as Nottingham’s scrum firstly buckled and a massive hit by Sam Hill, which sat the recipient down with dignity well and truly lost; signalling the Cornishmen’s intent with little doubt.
The catalyst for success though came with a combination of new faces and the need for Morgan to hurl himself into an opposing knee to gain attention from the medics.
His withdrawal released Marriott into the fray and suddenly the score keepers were on standby for action once again. The chance for slumber now evaporated as Temujin did his bit as mentioned above, and suddenly a flurry of points looked likely.
Notts were reeling, particularly up front; and only the bulky figure of Eggleshaw offered any resistance, after he’d replaced an unusually subdued Levi. The back row it was who’s searing break provided the one of only two moments of hope for the visitors in the embers of the game late on. The other coming from Savage who did all the hard work before tripping himself with the world his oyster.
The delay in restart after Ward’s score, for some new batteries for Nick Williams’ Walkman, thus only offered a brief respite. Minutes later, and some sustained pressure on Nottingham’s line and good handling and service from Doherty (J); released Cooper into the Newlyn Gate Corner for his first try in a Pirate shirt. The delight on the centre’s face spoke volumes and no doubt added even more vigour into his own tackle time too for the remainder of the contest. Not that it was lacking after his introduction for the impressive Short, who’d exited as a precaution following an ankle ‘rollover’.
The final act came at the death as Nottingham, with nothing to lose, were turned over just outside their own 22, to gift Cook with the final seven points of the afternoon.
A thirty point margin would have to suffice then as the Pirates completed their passage into the last four at a relative canter. Credit to a youthful Nottingham side should though be underlined, and they, as well the hosts own young products, will have learned a lot from this encounter.
We now await the draw on the 30 th and what they may bring. Be it a trip to the Emerald Isle again; a visit to the Principality, or even a mouth-watering tie on home soil. Interesting times beckon methinks.
Scorers
Cornish Pirates:
Tries: Maidment, Short, Ward, Cooper, Cook
Conversions Cook 4
Nottingham:
Penalty Hallett
Cornish Pirates:
R. Cook, R. McAtee, A. Short, S. Hill, D. Doherty
A. Penberthy, G. Cattle (capt), B. Maidment, C. Morgan, D. Ewers
I. Nimmo, L. McGlone, R. Brits, T. Cowan-Dickie, C. Rimmer.
Replacements:
L. Fairbrother, D. Ward, M. Myerscough, K. Marriott
J. Doherty, A. Suniula, M. Evans.
Nottingham:
A. Savage, J. Cobden, T. Streather, J. Munro, J. Stokes
K. Hallett, F. Barnham (capt), F. Levi, T. Calladine, R. Cooper
L. Morley, M. Todd, M. Shields, O. Taylor, R. Olive.
Replacements:
M. Holloway, M. Holford, P. Eggleshaw, J. Baird
N. Jones, N. Greenhalgh, J. Stokes.
Match Officials
Referee Ian Davies (WRU) Porthcawl
AR1 Nick Williams Somerset
AR2 Brian Ravenhill Gloucestershire
NO 4 Andy Bickle Devon
Match Observer John Haggart Leicestershire
Pirates TV Man Of The Match Ben Maidment
Match Day Sponsor: St. Austell Brewery
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