Our thanks to Phil Westren for the match report and to the Cornish Pirates for allowing us to post it on Sports Pulse. We will be following the team throughout the season, posting all match reports and the occasional preview and interview. We have named this feature Gwrys Yn Kernow, I believe (and hope) means Made in Cornwall.
Next week Men in Black returns, when we follow Harpenden RFC during their season and also World in Union, our weekly round up of Aviva Premiership. Sports Pulse rugby coverage doesn't end there, on Tuesday we will post our Rugby World Cup preview. In the future we also we have our 2nd season in Super Rugby to look forward too with Melbourne Rebels. Over to you Phil:
Moseley 27 Cornish Pirates 27
RFU Championship Round 1
Billesley Common
Saturday 3rd September
Phil Westren's Match Report
Twelve months previously, less a week, the Cornish Pirates travelled to Moseley for their first away game in Stage 1 of last season's RFU Championship competition. Hoping for a win then, they had to settle for a draw, and history repeated itself again in this match when a converted late try from the home side tied the scores once more.
For what always promised to be an interesting encounter against a 'Mose' side now coached by former Ireland centre Kevin Maggs, the Pirates had selected a strong looking line-up which included three new boys in wing David Doherty, fly-half Ceiron Thomas and flanker Dave Ewers, who were all making their Championship debuts for the club. Three other new faces in prop Lloyd Fairbrother, scrum-half Tom Kessell and centre Tom Cooper were named on the bench.
On a breezy but dry afternoon it was the Cornish Pirates who immediately looked fired up and suitably lively after Ceiron Thomas did the honours to kick the game off.
Immediate early pressure was not converted into points until full-back Rob Cook successfully slotted a penalty goal as the quarter of an hour mark approached.
This score was soon followed by another for the visitors as they took advantage of a Moseley error to counter attack through impressive centre Drew Locke who released David Doherty on about halfway.
The speedster had shown a perfect example of his finishing ability in the pre-season friendly at Worcester a week earlier, and he repeated it in similar fashion to score a try converted by Cook.
Moseley now responded and after playing for a spell with a level of parity they conjured a score of their own. Securing possession in their own half the ball found the hands of inspirational skipper Andy Reay who released No. 8 Mike Ellery into space, when he too showed impressive pace to score an unconverted try.
Spurred back to action the Pirates proceeded to take back control of the game, their pack forcing Moseley back deep into their half. It looked a 'cert' that applied pressure would tell, and it did, when lock Ian Nimmo duly registered a try.
Cook converted as he did his own try scored just past the half-hour mark, following good work by Locke, again, and also flanker Phil Burgess.
Leading 24-5 was as much as the Pirates could have wished for, with a bonus point providing fourth try surely in their sights if they could maintain their general dominance.
Moseley were down, but they were not, however, out, and when the Pirates defence was breached a try scored just before the break by lock Paul Spivey, converted by fly-half Brad Davies, lifted the spirits of the men in black and red.
If the home side scored first in the second half then the initiative could swing further their way, and it was indeed a little worrying when just in the fourth minute wing Brad Hunt crossed for an unconverted try that brought the hosts to within just seven points of the Pirates score.
A penalty from Cook temporarily eased the pressure, only for Davies to apply it again with an excellent long range effort .
When Cook was yellow carded by referee Mr. Terry Hall the Pirates were unsettled once more, with matters not getting any better when Locke was unfortunately injured and taken off to hospital for precautionary measures to be checked out.
As the second half ebbed away Moseley mounted their final onslaught and to the eyes of many got a likely just reward when awarded a penalty try. Converted by former 'Pirate' Ollie Thomas, the try had also earned them a bonus point, and the contest at Billesley Common in September ended in a draw for the second year running.
At the final whistle Moseley celebrated as if they were winners, whilst the faces of the Pirates mirrored disappointment. They had hoped for better, but on this occasion it was not to be.
Commenting at the end of the game, Cornish Pirates high performance manager Chris Stirling said: "We expected it to be tough and Moseley pushed us in all directions. Parts of our play were satisfactory from a coaching perspective, but others were not, especially our game management and decision making.
"Playing with a bit of width we did stretch the opposition at times, but overall we need to be better and have things to work on."
He added: "It's a long season and if we were at our best now then we would be unable to maintain it. We can play a lot better, but credit to Moseley who are a good team, especially on their home ground."
Moseley:
A. Carter, W. Robinson (O. Thomas 66), J. Adams (G. King 41), A. Reay (capt), B. Hunt, B. Davies, S. Brown (R. Glynn 66), M. Ellery, B. Pons, M. Maltman (N. Masobn 61), P. Spivey, D. Sanderson, A. O'Donnell (C. Quigley 62), A. Caves, C. Voisey (M. Gadd 26).
Replacement (not used): R. Protherough.
Cornish Pirates:
R. Cook, D. Doherty, G. Pointer D. Locke (T. Cooper 61), W. Davies, C. Thomas, G. Cattle (capt), K. Marriott, P. Burgess (B. Cowan 62), D. Ewers, M. Myerscough (blood - L. McGlone 58-65), I. Nimmo (L. McGlone 70), A. Paver, R. Elloway (D. Ward 65), R. Storer (P. Andrew 65).
Replacements (not used): L. Fairbrother, T. Kessell.
Yellow card: Cook
Scorers
Moseley
Tries: Ellery, Spivey, Hunt, Pen
Cons: Davies, Thomas
Pens: Davies
Cornish Pirates
Tries: Doherty, Nimmo, Cook
Cons: Cook 3
Pens Cook 2
Referee: Terry Hall (RFU)
Attendance : 806
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