Cornish Pirates topple Ealing Trailfinders with last-minute try

Pirates Topple the Trailfinders

By Phil Westren

Cornish Pirates 35 Ealing Trailfinders 33

It five years to the day since the Cornish Pirates last achieved a victory against the strong Ealing Trailfinders side, they repeated the outcome with this totally enthralling game played at the Mennaye Field.

The Pirates had enjoyed an impressive winning start to their 2026/27 Elior Champ Rugby opener, 45-19 at home to Doncaster Knights, but then in Round 2 suffered a disappointing 73-40 defeat away to Coventry. This contest, however, at least gave them a chance to bounce back at home to the Trailfinders, but with odds surely, and realistically, not in their favour.

Selection for the Pirates saw 20-year-old Nick Lilley partner Harry Ascherl in the centre. The Plymouth-born player who is dual registered with Exeter Chiefs has represented England under 20s and made his first team debut for the Devon side in May 2025. Featuring against Northampton Saints at Sandy Park, he became the Chiefs’ youngest ever professional try-scorer.

Tomi Agbongbon was not available for selection in this latest contest, so Hugh Bokenham slipped back to the No. 8 position, whilst Matt Cannon, who came off the bench at Coventry to make his 50^th appearance for the club, packed down alongside Milo Hallam in the second row.

The Trailfinders worryingly got off to an impressive start, when on a perfect afternoon for rugby former Munster wing Fionn Gibbons scored a try in the scoreboard corner that was well converted by fly-half Louie Johnson.

To their credit the Pirates were quick to show accustomed spirit, and it was not long before they levelled matters. Their scrum impressed, and after a penalty award saw fly-half Arwel Robson fire the ball towards the Newlyn gate corner, and then from the ensuing lineout the ball was moved left towards the Newlyn posts, it was a try scored by determined skipper Alex Everett, and one converted by Robson, that made it 7-all.

📷Cornish Pirates' skipper Alex Everett led by example. Photo credit: Brian Tempest

A second try next scored by the Pirates, was surely one from work and practice on the training ground. Awarded a scrum penalty, after Robson posted the ball to the old Western National corner, hooker Morgan Nelson’s lineout throw found the hands of Everett who immediately gifted a pass back to Nelson who was swift to score another converted try.

In what was proving a hard-fought but entertaining encounter, once again the Trailfinders hit back, this time with a converted try scored wide out left by centre Francis Moore.

In response the Pirates applied immense pressure upon the visitors, with their efforts rewarded when the ball was released for speedy and elusive full-back Henry Palmer to register their third converted try. But could the Pirates hold their acquired 21-14 lead to halftime? The answer would be ‘No’, as a final converted try scored at the Penzance posts by the Ealing team’s South African flanker Kyle Hatherell made it 21-21 at the break.

📷No. 8 Hugh Bokenham was once again a force for the Pirates. Photo credit: Brian Tempest

All but from the resumption of play the Pirates were unlucky not to nudge ahead when a Robson penalty attempt from halfway rebounded off the left Penzance post. Also, after Trailfinders’ experienced scrum half Craig Hampson cleared the danger, the Pirates attacked strongly through Bokenham, scrum half Dan Hiscocks, and Everett.

Further success was not immediate, but the Pirates would take the lead again when debutant Lilley scored the team’s fourth converted try. Seven points ahead, but it was of no surprise that the Trailfinders would soon score once more, and they did, but in the context of the game, and which proved of importance come the end, a second from wing Gibbons remained unconverted.

📷Pirates' centre Nick Lilley was a try-scorer on debut. Photo credit: Brian Tempest

Still, the visitors did proceed to score a fourth converted try through hooker Matt Cornish to give them the lead for the first time in the match. An away victory now looked likely, but the valiant Pirates refused to bow, and in time remaining, supported too by a fervent crowd, they had the opportunity to work their way up field. Roared on they made it into Ealing’s ‘22’, and when play was ultimately taken near to the Penzance posts it was replacement hooker Matt Pritchard’s last minute converted try that earned a remarkable but fully deserved 35-33 win. It was one of those games to hold in the memory bank, and ‘One & All’ were understandably and joyously ecstatic!

📷Intense match action before scrum-capped Matt Pritchard scored an all-important try. Photo credit: Brian Tempest

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

“It has been something of a rollercoaster couple of weeks, and we couldn’t really overplay against Ealing because they are so well organised, so it was about those small efforts in the kick battle.

“What is exciting for me is that we still weren’t at the level we need to be but we are showing a great deal of determination. Also, to achieve such a result gives belief which has importance.

“Arwel (Robson) kicked well to slot his five conversions, plus he was unlucky with his one long range penalty attempt, whilst Nick Lilley impressed on debut.

“Both our physicality and spirit were right up there and we were importantly competitive, with the set piece also performing well for much of the game.

“Our last play to work our way back up field and get close to Ealing’s line was exceptional, as it gave us that spark of a chance to ultimately win what proved a terrific contest.

“Finally, I must add that we not only had a good and appreciative crowd but the new roof on the stand also helps add to the sound and atmosphere.”

Cornish Pirates: 15 Henry Palmer 14 Arthur Relton 13 Nick Lilley 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 Matt Cannon 6 Alex Everett (captain) 7 Jack Forsythe 8 Hugh Bokenham.

Replacements: Matt Pritchard, Jamie Clark, Osman Dimen, Josh King, Luke Ratcliff, Will Becconsall (all used); Barnaby Elderkin, Finn Love (not used).

Ealing Trailfinders: 15 Jake Morris 14 Fionn Gibbons 13 Hayden Hyde 12 Francis Moore 11 Toby Cousins 10 Louie Johnson 9 Craig Hampson; 1 Sam Grahamslaw 2 Scott Buckley (captain) 3 Adam Nicol 4 Bobby De Wee 5 Emeka Atuanya 6 Kyle Hatherell 7 Jordy Reid 8 Will Montgomery.

Replacements: Matt Cornish, Kyle Whyte, George Davis, Freddie Stevenson, Fyn Brown, Rory Scannell, Michael Stronge, Deago Bailey.

Scorers:

Cornish Pirates – tries: Everett, Nelson, Palmer, Lilley, Pritchard; cons: Robson (5).

Ealing Trailfinders – tries: Gibbons (2), Moore, Hatherell, Cornish; cons: Johnson (4).

Referee: George Selwood

Assistants: Emmerson Wood & Kevin Williams

Tribute ‘Man of the Match’: Arwel Robson.

Thatchers ‘Try of the Match’: Henry Palmer.

Attendance: 1794.

📷In full stride Morgan Nelson is about to score for the Pirates. Photo credit: Brian Tempest