Four Pritchard tries power Cornish Pirates past Doncaster

By Phil Westren

A Pleasing Positive Start

Cornish Pirates 45 Doncaster Knights 19

AS the scoreline indicates, this was an excellent win for the Cornish Pirates, their second half performance particularly pleasing and one in which replacement hooker Matt Pritchard scored four tries.

Cornish Pirates’ captain Alex Everett led the home team out, his side clearly keen to make their mark right from the start of the competitive season. In their selected XV, two summer arrivals in full-back Henry Palmer and wing Josh Radcliffe were making their first appearances at Champ level for the club, whilst named on the bench was prop Osman Dimen, who has arrived at the Mennaye Field on a short-term deal from Harlequins.

Quick to impress the Pirates opened the scoring in the eighth minute. Radcliffe tested Doncaster’s defence which created space for scrum half Dad Hiscocks to lend support and breeze in for a try at the scoreboard corner. Fly half Awel Robson converted well from out wide.

For the visitors, their Fijian wing Panaia Tagutu soon displayed guile and strength and was one who clearly posed a danger. Indeed, soon after his first blast down the left touchline, after a penalty award it was hooker Nathan Langdon who powered over at the old Western National corner. Aussie-born scrum half Alex Dolly was luckless with the conversion attempt.

Midway through the half the Pirates extended their lead when some excellent passing finally saw Palmer offload to wing Arthur Relton who scored an unconverted try wide out left.

Enthusiastic chants of ‘Pirates, Pirates’ were already echoing around the ground, which heightened still further when following a drive to the line it was happy hooker Morgan Nelson’s converted try that made it 19-5.

There was, however, a lot of class in in Donny’s ranks, including their Tongan international full-back and skipper Telusa Veainu, plus former England wing Semesa Rokoduguni who partnered recent ‘Pirate’ Harry Yates in the centre. As for their pack, it was generally a powerfully young outfit, and with No. 8 Jasper McGuire catching the eye, it was he who scored a try, converted by Dolly, for the halftime scoreline to read 19-12.

Starting the second half with confidence, another converted try scored again for the Knights by McGuire levelled matters, but from there on it would be all Pirates. Inter-play by Everett and Nelson got the Pirates on the front foot, and after the latter left the field to applause it was his replacement Pritchard who registered the first of his four tries scored in the match. Robson was again on target with his conversion.

When the Pirates were called upon to defend and carry strongly it was replacement Tomi Agbongbon who set the example – one followed by others. Three more driving maul tries for Pritchard followed, two of which were converted, whilst there were woes for the Knights who would first lose replacement Louie Kirkham, and late on a despondent Veainu, to the sin bin. Former England and British Lions player Dean Richards, who has been appointed their Director of Rugby. also understandably appeared a little frustrated.

📷Replacement Matt Pritchard scores one of his four tries in the match. Credit: Brian Tempest

As for the Pirates, on a lovely sunny day when home supporters really were right royally entertained, it all made for a great start to this season’s Elior Champ Rugby campaign. Achieving such a convincing win, especially against more than useful opponents, surely bodes well, Yes, it is early days, but…..

📷Man of the match Hugh Bokenham makes a strong carry for the Pirates. Credit: Brian Tempest

Speaking after the game, Cornish Pirates’ joint head coach Alan Paver said:

“It was day to be really pleased with the outcome as we had a quality side against us.

“Scoring seven tries in the match was impressive, with five coming from driving mauls – one in the first half for experienced hooker Morgan Nelson and then four in the second for his replacement Matt Pritchard. Credit to them and to coach Joe Walsh for the work he does in that area.

“We were aware that Doncaster possess some exceptional talent, and especially so in the backs. One or two may be at the back end of their careers, but they nevertheless showed their high skill levels.

“For us it was about working hard if we were going to take kick options and strive not to give them too much room. At times we had to scramble hard, which we did, and although they found a couple of gaps, we showed determination to close them. Also, near the end of the game they tired and we took advantage.

Alan added:

“Ahead of the season we were delighted to keep a nucleus of our team, but at the same time identifying one or two players who could give us that little bit extra in certain areas, and we have seen that. Overall, it was a very pleasing start.”

Cornish Pirates

Cornish Pirates: 15 Henry Palmer 14 Arthur Relton 13 Chester Ribbons 12 Harry Ascherl 11 Josh Radcliffe 10 Arwel Robson 9 Dan Hiscocks; 1 Alessandro Heaney 2 Morgan Nelson 3 Alfie Petch 4 Milo Hallam 5 Steele Barker 6 Alex Everett (captain) 7 Jack Forsythe 8 Hugh Bokenham,

Replacements (all used): 16 Matt Pritchard 17 Jamie Clark 18 Osman Dimen 19 Matt Cannon 20 Tomi Agbongbon 21 Will Becconsall 22 Joe Elderkin 23 Finn Love.

Doncaster Knights

Doncaster Knights: 15 Telusa Veainu (captain) 14 Zach Kerr 13 Semesa Rokoduguni 12 Harry Yates 11 Penaia Tagutu 10 Kieran Wilkinson 9 Alex Dolly; 1 Connor Hancock 2 Nathan Langdon 3 Callum Hancock 4 Alex Wardell 5 Ben Glanville 6 Bailey Ransom 7 Aidan King 8 Jasper McGuire.

Replacements (all used): 16 Ben Sowry 17 Logovi’i Mulipola 18 Angus Williams 19 Louie Kirkham 20 Tololima Savaiinaea 21 Ollie Fox 22 Tom Curtis 23 Ryan Olowofela.

Yellow cards: Kirkham & Veainu.

Scorers

Cornish Pirates – tries: Pritchard (4), Hiscocks, Relton, Nelson; cons: Robson (5).

Doncaster Knights – tries: McGuire (2), Langdon; cons: Dolly (2).

Referee: Alex Thomas.

Attendance: `1693.

Tribute ‘Man of the Match’: Hugh Bokenham.

Thatchers ‘Try of the Match’: Dan Hiscocks.

📷Hooker Morgan Nelson scored the Pirates second try. Credit: Brian Tempest