Thanks to Woll and the team at Cornish Pirates for providing the match report in full. Our thanks also, to Brian Tempest for the photographs.
Cross Keys 20 Cornish Pirates 16
British & Irish Cup Semi Final
Pandy Park Cross Keys
Woll's Match Report
Deflated is perhaps the best word of the moment from a Pirates perspective, as Cross Keys held on for a famous win at Pandy Park.
It was as tense at the frenetic finale, as it had been feisty throughout; but the Welsh Premiership side just about held on with their own line under siege, and a match winning score looking increasingly on the cards.
Alas it wasn’t to be. The final surge had seen the Pirates dig themselves out of a deep hole of their own, and take play all the way from deep inside their 22 to within inches of glory.
En route they’d survived some near misses as Baller, looking for his hat-trick; Groves and Trowbridge all saw golden chances evaporate. Even a 53m penalty attempt from the otherwise impeccable Dragon, Jones fell short and with it a larger lead. Thus, fortuitous as a win would have been under the circumstances, Cornish hopes of a jolly to the Emerald Isle went with it.
But then the writing had been on the wall from as early as the 5 th minute, as the hosts scampered into a stunning ten point lead; planting the Pirates on the back foot immediately. Jones’ boot and Baller’s opportunism on the right wing profiting from an earlier fumble by Thomas under pressure midway inside his own half.
A further Jones pot increased the woes as for the first quarter at least, the Pirates just couldn’t string anything together; seemingly unable to satisfy anyone’s version of the laws.
Credit where it’s due however, as lead by a charge out by Marriott, the visitors gradually fought their way back into things. Fought being an operative word as Mr. Rudkin finally sniffed a rat and picked up on Keys’ diminishing discipline.
Two earlier committee meetings with the captains had been sufficient warning for all concerned, and it came as no surprise when Hodge became the first to feel the wrath and be asked to leave for ten.
Cook had already got the Pirates on the board beforehand with the first of his three penalties. And so, soon after the lock’s card, the Cornish pack punished this manpower deficit, with a penalty try for the collective efforts close to the Key’s line, and despite a pile of black shirted bodies and hands trying their utmost not to be spotted.
The purple patch continued but produced no further points to the tally and in spite of Cornock swapping places with Hodge on an already warmed seat. His high tackle on Burgess having been reported to Sir, left the Scottish official with little option but to reach in his pocket again.
The Pirates momentum continued at the resumption of play with another three from Cook to level things. But all this hard work unraveled five minutes later when, now back to their full complement of players, the Welshman created the opening for Baller to dot down once more.
Cook reduced the gap moments later and the scene was set for the grandstand finish with only four points in it.
Having been introduced at the break, Wardy was being Wardy and giving some hope, however slim it appeared at times. But Cross Keys were not going to lie down and close as they may have coming to taking beyond even the most herculean of efforts by the Pirates; it finally boiled down to some last ditch defence of their own as everyone glanced anxiously at their watches for differing reasons.
Jones had limped off and could look. Andrews may have been able to look, but not clocked what was happening or why after his clash with Hill’s knee. But in the end it was the Valley Men who were celebrating the loudest. Who can blame them?
For the Pirates though, their focus has to now re-align swiftly towards next week’s fixture with Bedford and the hope of extending their season into May. They will however have to dig deep after this particular disappointment.
Cornish Pirates
15 R. Cook 14 D. Doherty (21 T. Kessell 78mins) 13 A. Suniula 12 S. Hill 11 M. Evans 10 C. Thomas 9 G. Cattle (capt) 8 K. Marriott (20 B. Maidment 64mins) 7 P. Burgess 6 C. Morgan 5 M. Myerscough 4 L. McGlone (19 M. Smith 64mins) 3 A. Paver 2 R. Elloway (17 D. Ward ht) 1 R. Storer (C. Rimmer ht)
Replacements: un-used 18 R. Brits, 22 T. Cooper
Tries: Penalty
Cons: Cook
Pens: Cook 3
Cross Keys
15 G. David 14 K. Baller 13 L. Andrews (21 L. Williams 57mins) 12 P. Williams 11 N. Trowbridge 10 S. Jones (20 O. Jones 80mins) 9 R. Dyer 1 R. Cornock (18 C. Gould 20-24, 80mins) 17 G. Price 3 M. Jones 4 D. Hodge 5 T. Lampard (16 L. Rawlins 60mins) 6 R. Peebles (19 C. Trayhern 68mins) 7 R. Nash (capt) 8 J. Groves
Replacements: un-used 2 J. Sollis, 22 N. Williams
Tries: Baller 2
Cons: Jones 2
Pens: Jones 2
Yellow: Hodge, Cornock
Match Officials
Referee: Cammy Rudkin (SRU).
Assistants: Simon Rees, Mike Bethell
AR 3: Huw F Lewis
AR 4: Viv Williams
TMO: Tony Rowlands
PR: Dave Herbert
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