Cornish Pirates take lessons from Richmond defeat at the Mennaye

By Phil Westren

Cornish Pirates 19 Richmond 33

Arriving at Round 7 in this season’s Elior Champ Rugby competition, the Cornish Pirates looked to maintain their acquired good feel factor, but as we know, in sport it does not always work out like that.

For what ahead of the weekend was a fourth versus thirteenth in the league contest, changes in the Cornish Pirates starting line-up saw Josh Radcliffe replacing the injured Chester Ribbons in the centre, whilst in the forwards Tomi Agbongbon started at number 8 in place of Hugh Bokenham, who for this contest took a place on the bench. Also named among the replacements were fit again prop Billy Young and a recent arrival in versatile Aussie back Dan O’Brien.

On an afternoon when there was no wind, a heavy and lengthy pre-match shower at the Mennaye Field made it inevitable that conditions would be a little slippery. First up though, there was an impeccably observed minute’s silence that took place after appropriate words were expressed and members of Penzance Silver Band then played ‘The Last Post’, ahead of Remembrance Day on Wednesday.

📷A run from Pirates' prop Alessandro Heaney (pictured) set up a try for lock Milo Hallam. Credit: Brian Tempest

First half

From the kick off, after the Pirates proceeded to take the game to their opponents, it was not long before some excellent handling was rewarded when wing Arthur Relton took a final pass to score a try to the left of Newlyn posts which was converted by fly-half Arwel Robson.

More of the same was surely expected from the Pirates, but even at this early stage the visitors displayed a level of quality in their play that would be seen more of later in the match. Indeed, wing Archie Brosch ran well and then stretched to score a try at clubhouse corner which was converted by full-back Callum Grieve.

The Pirates did regain their lead and then open a bit of a gap with two excellent further scores. The first was an unconverted try by wing Henry Palmer, which followed a superb cross field by full-back Will Becconsall, who would unluckily depart proceedings later with what appeared a shoulder injury, and after soaking up a period of Richmond pressure, at the other end of the field it was prop Alessandro Heaney who ran strongly with support arriving in the form of second-row forward Milo Hallam, who dived over the line to score a converted try at the Newlyn posts.

Two of several players impressing for Richmond were former Pirates in hooker Harry Hocking and scrum half Alex Schwarz. The latter, who skippered the side, performed well throughout, but their stand-out man was wing Josh Addams. His run down the left wing was given support by centre James Langston who pulled five points back with a try at the old scoreboard corner. As for the final points in a well contested first half, they went the way of Richmond too, when Addams gathered a chip over the top to cross for a converted try to the left of the posts.

📷Despite defeat, Pirates' skipper Alex Everett was always in the thick of the match action. Credit: Brian Tempest

Second half

So, 19-all at the break, and as well as Richmond had played most about the ground likely expected the Pirates to pull away in the second forty. Richmond, however, had other ideas, and before many supporters had time to return to their seats, number 8 Xavier Hastings touched down a converted try wide out on the left.

The Pirates appeared taken by surprise, and although there was still all of 39 minutes to go, on reflection it somehow proved a telling score. Skipper Alex Everett, with support, strived with no lack of determination, but after Richmond’s replacement hooker Will Goffey emerged a happy man when identified as the scorer of a converted try, which followed a potent drive at the Newlyn gate corner, it was game over.

There was still plenty of time for the Pirates to hit back, and the crowd admirably chanted their name to hopefully draw a helpful response, but it was not to be. With the final scoreline reading 19-33, it was Richmond’s day, and fair play to them.

📷Pirates' full-back Will Becconsall looks to get a pass away before being injured. Credit: Brian Tempest

What the coach said

Speaking after the game, Cornish Pirates’ joint head coach Gavin Cattle said:

“I thought the intensity from both teams was pretty high in what was a physical game, and although our execution was low you have to give credit to Richmond for muscling up. Their score at the start of the second half energised them and they operated in that final third better than we did.

“Kick offs caused us a few issues and although we had opportunities there were a couple of lost lineouts and failed driving mauls that didn’t help our cause, and then in the final third when we did have possession, we failed to execute in attack.

“It was a case in the second half of Richmond frustrating us, and we then ended up chasing the game, but without really penetrating their defence. Ultimately, they deserved credit and it is something we’ll learn lessons from.”

Line-ups

The Cornish Pirates line-up for Saturday is as follows:

Cornish Pirates: 15 Will Becconsall 14 Arthur Relton 13 Josh Radcliffe 12 Harry Ascherl 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) Jack Forsythe 8 Tomi Agbongbon,

Replacements: 16 Matt Pritchard 17 Billy Young 18 Jamie Clark 19 Matt Cannon 20 Hugh Bokenham 21 Angus Mawson 22 Joe Elderkin 23 Dan O’Brien (not used).

Richmond: 15 Callum Grieve 14 Josh Addams 13 Paddy Case 12 James Langston 11 Archie Brosch 19 Alex Burrage 9 Alex Schwarz; 1 Theo Bevaqua 2 Harry Hocking 3 Luke Spring 4 Jake Monson 5 Fred Hosking 6 Miles Wakeling 7 Jared Cardew 8 Xavier Hastings.

Replacements: 16 Will Goffey 17 Chris Freeman 18 Barnaby Vaughan 19 Mattias Woollard 20 Chris Bell 21 Iwan Coyle 22 Matt Marsh 23 Sam Dardis.

Match details

Scorers:

Cornish Pirates – tries: Relton, Palmer, Hallam; cons: Robson (2).

Richmond – tries: Brosch, Langston, Addams, Hastings, Goffey; cons: Grieve (4).

Referee: Holly Wood.

‘Tribute’ Man of the Match: Jack Forsythe.

‘Thatchers’ Try of the Match: Milo Hallam.

Attendance: 1,877.

📷Wing Henry Palmer scores the Pirates third try in the match. Credit: Brian Tempest