Cornish Pirates bounce back in style against Caldy

By Phil Westren

Cornish Pirates 64 Caldy 14

Aiming to have learned from mistakes made in a disappointing 33-19 defeat at home to Richmond the previous weekend, in positive mode the Cornish Pirates well and truly bounced back when at home for a second week running on Saturday. In opposition at the sunny and bright Mennaye Field were Caldy, who visited for an earlier than usual 1pm kick-off.

The team from the Wirral arrived eleventh in Elior Champ Rugby, whilst the Cornish Pirates were in seventh place.

Changes in the Cornish Pirates starting line-up for the fixture saw Angus Mawson named at full-back in place of the injured Will Becconsall, and Joe Elderkin selected to partner Harry Ascherl in the centre. One change in the pack was that of Hugh Bokenham who started at No. 8.

As for the bench, included and keen to make his debut for the club was 25-year-old Irish-born Washington (USA) native Karl Keane, who has only recently arrived at the Mennaye Field, at present as a short-term signing to provide injury cover at scrum half.

📷Man of the match Arwel Robson kicked and ran well on the day. Photo credit: Brian Tempest

First half

After inspirational stalwart Caldy skipper JJ Wilkinson led his Caldy side out, they kicked the game off playing towards Newlyn. However, in a lively start it was soon evident that the Pirates were indeed keen to bounce back and put the previous week’s disappointment behind them. Not for the first time in the match scrum-half Dan Hiscocks was immediately sharp on the break, as was the form of his ultimate man-of-the-match halfback partner Arwel Robson.

The first points came shortly after the referee penalised Caldy for not releasing. From a soon resultant lineout the ball was worked to the backs, and although centre Joe Elderkin was halted just short of the line, second-row forward Josh King lent excellent support to touchdown a try at the clubhouse corner to which Robson, with an excellent strike, added the extras.

The ‘Ravers’, to give the visitors their nickname, strived to respond, only for the Pirates to then underline their dominance at scrum time and soon take play close to the Penzance posts where flanker Jack Forsythe scored a converted try.

Caldy once again looked to respond, and this time with better luck when hooker Ollie Hearn scored a try at the Newlyn gate corner which was converted by fly-half Ben Parkin. As for the rest of the half though, it was all Pirates who fully entertained their enthusiastic supporters.

Skipper Alex Everett bounced off defenders to score a try, and others followed for wing Arthur Relton and hooker Morgan Nelson, with all three efforts converted by Robson to make it a pleasing 35-7 at the break.

📷Pirates' centre Harry Ascherl has Arthur Relton in support. Photo credit: Brian Tempest

Second half

Shortly after the second half got underway, Caldy lost the services of experienced prop Joe Sproston to the sin bin. Also, following good approach play involving Pirates’ wingers Henry Palmer and Relton, along with Forsythe, it all led to a second try scored by Relton.

Then, in the space of a few minutes, Caldy would be awarded a penalty try for the scoreboard to read 40-14, and the Pirates would lose both their centres Harry Ascherl and Joe Elderkin to the sin bin. Replacement prop Nathan Rushton and hooker Hearn also combined well to mount an attack towards the clubhouse corner, but in remaining time that was as good as it got for the Ravers.

A la Antoine Dupont in Paris the previous night, Hiscocks firstly produced a sublime nudge kick to the right, to set up a well-taken converted try by Angus Mawson, who would convert the Pirates next try scored in sensational fashion by Hiscocks.

And who scored the Pirates two final tries? Well, they both went to replacement hooker Matt Pritchard to complete a truly happy bounce back afternoon – at the forever atmospheric Mennaye!

📷Congratulations for try-scorer Dan Hiscocks (left) from his teammates. Photo credit: Brian Tempest

What the coach said

Commenting at the end of Saturday’s encounter, Cornish Pirates’ joint head coach Gavin Cattle said:

“We are really pleased, and as I didn’t expect a scoreline like that this morning.

“Even with the brief thirteen men scenario in the second half we managed to keep our feet on the pedal, which was great to see, as it was pleasing that throughout we kept to task, had a good set piece, and our backs were more cohesive.

“The weather was also great, we saw some excellent running rugby, and with the crowd vocal it was a very good day.”

Teams and scorers

Cornish Pirates: 15 Angus Mawson 14 Arthur Relton 13 Harry Ascherl 12 Joe Elderkin 11 Henry Palmer 10 Arwel Robson 9 Dan Hiscocks; 1 Alessandro Heaney 2 Morgan Nelson 3 Alfie Petch 4 Milo Hallam 5 Josh King 6 Alex Everett (captain) 7 Jack Forsythe 8 Hugh Bokenham.

Replacements (all used): 16 Matt Pritchard 17 Billy Young 18 Jamie Clark 19 Matt Cannon 20 Tomi Agbongbon 21 Karl Keane 22 Josh Radcliffe 23 Finn Love.

Yellow cards: Ascherl, Elderkin.

Caldy: 15 Matt Kilcourse 14 Dylan Carroll 13 Harry Oliver 12 Connor Wilkinson 11 Sebi Krippner 10 Ben Parkin 9 Ollie Wynn; 1 Monty Weatherby 2 Ollie Hearn 3 Joe Sproston 4 Oliver Barker 5 Harry Harding 6 Cam De Beer 7 Callum Ridgway 8 JJ Wilkinson (captain).

Replacements (all used): 16 Toby Bywater 17 Matthew Rabette 18 Nathan Rushton 19 Robin Williams 20 Harry Lightfoot 21 Nye Thomas 22 Charlie Attis 23 Eddie Banks.

Yellow cards: Sproston, Rushton.

Scorers

Cornish Pirates – tries: Relton (2), Pritchard (2), King, Forsythe, Everett, Nelson, Mawson, Hiscocks cons: Robson (6) Mawson.

Caldy – tries: Hearn, Penalty try; con: Parkin.

Referee: Ben Wood.

Tribute ‘Man of the Match’: Arwel Robson.

Thatchers ‘Try of the Match’: Josh King.

Attendance: 1613.

📷Arthur Relton scores the first of his two tries in the match. Photo credit: Brian Tempest