On a day when the flags flew half-mast in memory of a former Pirates player, Cyril Rescorla, in excellent conditions this game provided the entertaining and seriously hard-fought rugby action that was promised. More importantly, however, after recording a draw and a loss in their opening two games of this season's Pool B promotion play-offs, the home side registered their first victory.

Playing into the sun towards Newlyn, the Titans got off to a suitably bright start. Indeed, there were just two minutes on the clock when centre Dave McCall was gifted space to sprint over on the left for an unconverted opening score.

Yes, it was hot about, but the Pirates had been caught cold, and they looked to respond immediately from the restart by applying pressure at the clubhouse corner. A couple of penalties were awarded and they held confidence to opt for scrums rather than kicks at goal. The line of choice was a gamble, but it proved worthy when wing Grant Pointer's try levelled the scores at 5-all.

Further dominance at scrummage time would soon deliver more points for the Pirates, as awarded a penalty in front of Rotherham's posts full-back Rob Cook's successful strike made it 8-5.

Rotherham's fly-half Garry Law is the Championship's top points scorer, and offered a penalty from the restart his successful kick from 40 metres out brought the scores level once more.

Both sides were playing some terrific rugby to watch, but the Yorkshire visitors would score next thanks to a second penalty of the match kicked by Law.

Cook was off target when the next penalty chance came his way, but the Pirates would eventually take an important lead just before the break thanks to their skipper and scrum-half Gavin Cattle. Playing at the top his game, when given just a sniff of a chance he was sufficiently sharp to make it to the line on the right, and Cook duly converted to make it 15-11.

Three further penalties, with two going to Law and one sandwiched in between for Cook, kept the scoreboard ticking along, but in a game that was tight a fortuitous break for the Pirates saw them create what would prove a telling score.

Replacement Tom Kessell paced it down the wing on the left, and with momentum maintained and the ball transferred through hands, centre Sam Hill's eventual long pass saw Pointer cross at the Newlyn gate corner for his second try in the match. Cook added the extras and the Pirates now led 25-17.

It was going to be interesting to see how the Titans would react, but arriving at this game on a mission it was clear they were in no mood to cave in. Law narrowly missed with a penalty attempt and No. 8 Robin Copeland set alarm bells ringing with a terrific surging run.

In the last 25 minutes of the game neither side would score again, but there was no lack of commitment. The efforts of both teams were to be admired, but each was also denied a bonus point. The Titans, in particular, were left feeling understandably frustrated, whereas the Pirates will have been relieved simply to have recorded their first victory in Stage 2 of the Championship. Stern tests await in their remaining three games, but the dream of reaching the semi-finals lives on

Cornish Pirates: R. Cook, G. Pointer, A. Suniula, S. Hill, M. Evans (T. Kessell h/t), C. Thomas, G. Cattle (capt), B. Maidment, P. Burgess (R. Elloway 68), C. Morgan (K. Marriott 64), I. Nimmo, M. Smith (M. Myerscough 59), A. Paver, D. Ward, C. Rimmer. (R. Storer 66) Replacements (not used): A. Penberthy, T. Cooper.

Rotherham Titans : T. Foden, E. Tellwright, D. McCall, P. Nonu (C. Hodgson 62), S. Monahan, G. Law, J. Williams, R. Copeland, S. Dougall (capt), C. Kirwan (S. Taulava 50), A. Griffiths, B. Maddison (N. Patrick 50), B. Hooper (R. O'Donnell 59), E. Stagg (D. Baines h/t), S. Cahill (B. Harris 65).

Replacement (not used): M. Rhodes.

Scorers:- Cornish Pirates - tries: Pointer (2), Cattle; cons: Cook (2); pens: Cook (2).

Rotherham Titans - try: McCall; pens: McCall (4).

Referee: Darren Gamage (RFU)

Attendance: 1,923