Bristol 29 Cornish Pirates 18 (Pirates win 53-63 on aggregate)

Despite taking a healthy 21 points advantage into this second leg of a twin-legged semi-final, the Cornish Pirates always knew that a tough encounter awaited at the Memorial Stadium on Sunday, with 'Sky' television, who had their best ever ratings for the Championship in the opening leg at the Mennaye Field, once again present.

On a dry and sunny day the build up at 'the 'Mem' was as atmospheric as expected, with there a mix of blue and white and red, black and white shirts in the stands and on the terraces. The banter between the two sets of supporters was sportingly friendly, as ever, but all about also knew that the on field action might prove to be just a little bit different.

Indeed, even before a whistle was blown opposing props Jason Hobson and Alan Paver framed up to each other, chest to chest and with a push and a shove, and it was then a rare sight to see referee Sean Davey call skippers Iain Grieve and Gavin Cattle together to heed suitably polite warnings before getting the match underway.

Two early penalties awarded the Pirates saw them opt for a catch and drive with the first and a shot at goal with the second, which was successfully slotted by full-back Rob Cook. With the ground ringing with incessant chants of 'Bristol, Bristol', this form of prayers from home supporters were quickly answered when fly-half Tristan Roberts cleverly grubbed the ball into space for full-back Jon Goodridge to follow up and score.

Roberts converted the try to make it 7-3. Pirates' skipper Gavin Cattle was again directing his troops in lively fashion as they looked to respond, but when wing Will Helu gathered the ball and kicked down a channel on the right there was a danger that Bristol were about to add to their tally as they played towards the 'Blackthorn' stand end of the ground.

Helu's chase was determined and when the ball was ultimately worked into space on the left it looked a cert that dangerman centre Fautua Otto would score. That he didn't quite make it was possibly a defining moment in the game, despite there being only being 12 minutes or so on the clock. A converted try would have narrowed the points deficit to just 10, and one can only guess as to what psychological effect that might have had on the teams.

Cook was off target with a penalty attempt midway through the half but it was not long before he would add to his points tally, and how. Gathering a loose kick from 60 metres out there was space for him to run and take advantage of, which he spotted in an instant to sprint to the line for a try that he also converted. Bristol were showing signs of frustration, mirrored also among their supporters who were now a little more subdued, although scrum-half Ruki Tipuna was always alert to try and put some spark back into events.

With a quick tapped penalty he almost made it to the line but it was the Pirates who would finish the half more strongly with hooker Dave Ward making a terrific carry. The penalty count against Bristol was high in the first forty, but Cook was unable to add to his team's 10-7 lead with a miss just before half-time.

Entering this game 21 points adrift, Bristol had to start the second period with there 24 points to catch up, but they came out in positive mode. Roberts saw one long range penalty miss off a post but he made no mistake with a second effort that immediately followed.

Roberts, despite coming into this important match with little game time of late, then made a slick break only to see his adventurous offload unluckily spilled by Otto who looked certain to score.

It was another chance not taken, but keeping their patience they then delivered when Goodridge crossed for his second converted try to make it 17-10. The difference to catch up was now 14 points, and with nearly half an hour remaining interest levels had again risen.

There was no let up in the efforts displayed by both teams and Bristol were in no mood to crumble late on as that had at the Mennaye Field six days earlier.

However, after Tipuna had looked to create a scoring opportunity on the right, the ball was suddenly snapped up by man of the match 'Pirate' Phil Burgess. The athletic flanker had put in a tremendous effort alongside fellow committed back-rowers Kyle Marriott and Chris Morgan, and following a lung-bursting 70 metres run his unconverted try surely broke many a Bristol heart.

The heads of home supporters had dropped just a little but deserving credit the Bristol team continued to play with real purpose. Another fine run by Otto saw him send young winger George Watkins away for an unconverted try, and, after David Doherty was unlucky not to have scored for the Pirates, Helu really made it interesting with a try well converted by replacement fly-half Matty James.

The scoreline now read 29-15 and the points difference had suddenly been reduced to just seven. There were also three minutes still left on the clock. Hey, it really was 'Tense' with a capital 'T'. With time running out a penalty awarded the Pirates gave them the chance to put the outcome beyond doubt, and Cook stepped up to take a kick that on any other day would have been a formality from in front of the posts. Nervous? No worries, he made light of the extra importance and struck his effort perfectly to see the Pirates through.

In what proved to be their last game of the season, Bristol had held on to their unbeaten record at home in the Championship, but there was still understandable hurt in their faces at the end.

As for the Pirates they were elated, and it unusual to record nowadays that the same XV that started had also finished the game, there not a single replacement used. In the other semi-final London Welsh lost 24-17 at home to Bedford Blues, but qualified for the final with a 30-27 aggregate scoreline from the two legs.

Bristol Rugby: J. Goodridge, W. Helu, F. Otto, L. Eves, G. Watkins, T. Roberts (M. James 73), R. Tipuna (T. Slater 68), I. Grieve (capt, H. Vanderglas 66), J. Merriman, J. Ovens, R. Winters, M. Sambucetti (B. Glynn 50), J. Hobson (W. Thompson 66), J. Harris-Wright (R. Johnston 50), M. Irish (M. Lilley 39-40, 66).

Cornish Pirates: R. Cook, G. Pointer, S. Hill, A. Suniula, D. Doherty, C. Thomas, G. Cattle (capt), K. Marriott, P. Burgess, C. Morgan, I. Nimmo, L. McGlone, A. Paver, D. Ward, C. Rimmer. Replacements (not used): R. Storer, R. Elloway, R. Brits, M. Smith, D. Ewers, T. Kessell, M. Evans.

Scorers:- Bristol Rugby - tries: Goodridge (2), Watkins, Helu; cons: Roberts (2), James; pen: Roberts. Cornish Pirates - tries: Cook, Burgess; con: Cook; pens: Cook (2). Referee: Sean Davey (RFU) Attendance: 7,356

The Cornish Pirates will play the first leg of the twin-legged final at the Mennaye Field, Penzance, on Wednesday 23rd May - kick-off at 7.45pm. For further details visit www.cornish-pirates.com or phone the ticket office 01736-331961, open Mon-Fri from 9am-12 noon)