The Cornish Pirates will have to overhaul a 16-point deficit in the second leg if they are to win the RFU Championship Play-Off final against London Welsh.

Losing this game by 16 points means a mighty challenge now awaits the Cornish Pirates in the second leg of the twin-legged RFU Championship final.

The Mennaye Field looked a picture on the night, the field manicured to perfection and the pre-match atmosphere suitably built by the popular Falmouth Marine Band and the Cadgwith Singers. It was a scene set for both finalists to perform.

Match underway, and playing towards Newlyn, it was the Pirates who looked at their most positive at the start. Shaded by the trees from the evening sun, early pressure inside the visitors '22' brought swift reward when wing Grant Pointer scored the game's opening try.

Taking a line that took him to the right post his effort was converted by full-back Rob Cook. 7-0 up with just four minutes on the clock provided great encouragement, but London Welsh soon pulled six points back with two penalties successfully slotted by full-back Alex Davies. The first was well struck from some 38 metres out and the second followed the yellow-carding of Pirates' fly-half Ceiron Thomas, who appeared unlucky to have been sent to the sin bin after stretching to intercept a pass.

The Pirates struggled at the line-out and were initially fortunate that they recovered from two early mistakes. However, when they continued to err the 'Dragons' would ultimately make them pay with tries scored by wings Joe Ajuwa and Nick Scott, both converted by Davies, and there also a drop goal fired between the sticks by fly-half Gordon Ross. A scoreline now reading 7-23 made it all a little worrying, and with half an hour gone this game was simply not going to script.

Hooker Dave Ward, despite natural despondency at what was happening at the line-out, helped lift morale with a couple of trademark breaks, and following one surge the Pirates looked to respond close to the London Welsh line. Awarded three penalties in quick succession, the options taken were first a catch and drive and then a couple of scrums, which brought a just reward when referee Mr. Garner signalled a penalty try, and one duly converted by Cook. Now 14-23, home spirits were lifted a little, and that's how it remained at the break.

The Pirates needed a good start to the second forty and hopes were raised when wing David Doherty put pressure on the the visitors when chasing a high kick. Nothing came of it and Cook was then off target with a penalty attempt.

Play was end to end for a spell but points needed by the Pirates just weren't coming. Indeed, the next scores would be registered by London Welsh, the centre paring of Hudson Tonga'uiha and James Lewis each given acres of space to cross for tries converted by Davies. 14-37 was an almost unbelievable scoreline, this a day, or should we say night, that truly belonged to the famous exiles club.

After Tonga'uiha was sin-binned for a making a clumsily dangerous tackle, the Pirates took advantage with a try scored by Phil Burgess. Cook also added the conversion, making it a personal and super points tally of 301 in the Championship this season. The scoreline of 21-37 is how is how it would stay, leaving the Dragons with a 16 points lead going into the second leg. They had played with tremendous determination and had taken full advantage from those errors made by the Pirates in the first half and will naturally be favourites to lift the Championship trophy at the Kassam Stadium, Oxford, next Wednesday evening.

Cornish Pirates: R. Cook, G. Pointer, S. Hill, A. Suniula (T. Kessell 65), D. Doherty, C. Thomas (M. Evans 65), G. Cattle (capt), K. Marriott, P. Burgess, D. Ewers (R. Elloway 69), I. Nimmo (M. Myerscough 68), L. McGlone (M. Smith 74), A. Paver (R. Brits 66), D. Ward, C. Rimmer (R. Storer 60). Yellow card: Thomas.

London Welsh: A. Davies, J. Ajuwa, J. Lewis (B. Russell 77), H. Tonga'uiha, N. Scott, G. Ross, R. Lewis, E. Jackson, M. Denbee, L. Beach (S. Jewell 72), M. Corker (M. Purdy 75), J. Mills (capt), J. Tideswell (G. Bateman 75), D. George (V. Ma'asi 60), M. Lahiff (W. Moss 79). Replacement (not used): J. Moates.