Thank you to Cornish Pirates, www.cornish-pirates.com, Phil for the match report and Brian Tempest for the photograph.
Nottingham 25 Cornish Pirates 25
RFU Championship Round 7
Meadow Lane
Friday 14th October
Phil's Match Report
Following their first Championship defeat of the season at home to Bedford Blues the previous weekend, the Cornish Pirates were keen to bounce back to winning ways, but knowing also that it would be a tough task away to Nottingham in what has been a particularly hectic week. As it worked out, the game ended in a draw, the Pirates second of the season, with there considerable pride that they came back to level matters after being 25-13 down as play entered the last quarter.
Playing under the floodlights at Meadow Lane, a strong Nottingham side welcomed back fly-half James Arlidge and back-rower Sione Kalamafoni who have been away with on Rugby World Cup duty with Japan and Tonga respectively, and it was the 'Green & Whites' had much the better of the opening exchanges. Full-back Kieran Hallett, formerly of Plymouth Albion, did miss a penalty chance in the third minute, but he made no mistake shortly after with another opportunity that came his way.
Continuing to dominate on field events the home side extended their lead with 12 minutes on the clock when another Nottingham new man in the shape of ex Rotherham centre Juan Pablo Socino followed up a bobbling ball to score an unconverted try.
The Pirates had some concern when prop Rudi Brits went down injured, but although he thankfully got to his feet they were to go further behind when a waiting Hallett ultimately slotted a penalty to make it 11-0.
Needing to respond, the Pirates all but immediately did just that when full-back Wes Davies looked to catch the the ball on run, gathered it and then passed to centre Drew Locke who crossed for his fourth Championship try of the season. It was a score needed by the Cornish team and when fly-half Rob Cook added the conversion the Pirates were back in the mix.
A penalty attempt from halfway by Hallett, who was second in the Championship's points scoring list ahead of this game, missed, and Nottingham then lost the services through injury of experienced wing David Jackson, who was the competition's equal top try-scorer with six coming into this match.
The Pirates looked to threaten through wing David Doherty and Locke, but when the next points came their way it was three from the boot of Cook whose successful penalty hit put the visitors within one of their hosts.
With half-time approaching Nottingham drove the Pirates back at the corner for a try scored by prop Mike Holford, which was converted by Hallett, and it looked as if the Pirates would go still further behind when Hallett had what appeared a good chance to score a try, only for Doherty to show that he was alert to the danger and help foil the threat.
With the very last play of the game Hallett was off target with a penalty strike, but when the whistle immediately sounded he and his team mates had the consolation that they deserved their 18-10 half-time lead. As for the Pirates, they were still in the match and would look to improve certain areas of their play to strive and get back into the game in the second forty.
It was felt that the start of the second period could be extra lively, and as if to reflect that view it wasn't long before Nottingham went down to 14 men when lock Nic Rouse was yellow carded, with his misdemeanour duly punished by Cook with a successful penalty strike.
There was some concern that if it stayed close then the longer the game went on the Pirates could find themselves under extra pressure, considering the demands put upon them to play three games in a little over five days.
Flowing play initially involving former England centre Ayoola Erinle and then Socino was worrying, and although the Pirates appeared to hold the threat another Socino intervention saw him intercept and take Nottingham forward for replacement Charlie Hayter to score a try converted by Hallett that suddenly made it 25-13 as the hour mark approached.
Could the Pirates respond? Well, hooker Rob Elloway showed he was up for the challenge and when the ball was moved from the breakdown Davies crossed for a score which, although unconverted, gave the Pirates hope.
When Nottingham were penalised at the breakdown, Cook had a chance to pull three more points back, but his attempt went wide. Still, good play from replacements Mike Myerscough and hooker Dave Ward, now on for Elloway, looked to maintain momentum.
With time running the Pirates looked to stretch Nottingham with flanker Chris Morgan, Locke and Davies to the fore. The latter's good evening's work then came to an end, however, as he had to depart the field injured, to be replaced by Ryan Westren who was making his Championship debut.
The Pirates kept their control and with everyone giving their all they held territory and worked their way forward once more for Pointer to force his way over for a try well converted by Cook to level the scores at 25-all.
Deep into a lengthy period of injury time, it was now incredibly tense and there worries when Cook was injured. Thankfully, though shaken, he got to his feet, and although there was frustration in the ranks that the Pirates were not awarded a penalty at the very end, there was admiration that they had showed truly immense character to come back and earn a draw in what had been an enthralling encounter.
Nottingham:
K. Hallett, J. Cobden, A. Erinle, J. P. Socino, D. Jackson (C. Hayter 31)
J. Arlidge, N. Jones, A. Shaw, C. Eggleshaw (L. Morley 70), S. Kalamafoni
N. Rouse, C. Hammond, B. Prescott (M. Parr 63), J. Duffey, M. Holford.
Replacements (not used): O. Taylor, M. Shields, J. Baird, F. Barnham.
Yellow card: Rouse.
Cornish Pirates:
W. Davies (R. Westren 82), G. Pointer, D. Locke, S. Hill, D. Doherty
R. Cook, G. Cattle (capt, J. Doherty 74), B. Cowan (K. Marriott 71), P. Burgess, C. Morgan
I. Nimmo, L. McGlone (M. Myerscough h/t), R. Brits (C. Rimmer 76), R. Elloway (D. Ward 63), P. Andrew (R. Storer 76).
Scorers:-
Nottingham - tries: Socino, Holford, Hayter; cons: Hallett (2); pens: Hallett (2).
Cornish Pirates - tries: Locke, Davies, Pointer; cons: Cook (2); pens: Cook (2).
Referee: Steve Lee (RFU)
Attendance: 1,363
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