Cornish Pirates 51, Richmond 20

The Cornish Pirates not only made it five league wins on the trot but as an added bonus moved impressively up to fourth place in the Greene King IPA Championship table, writes Phil Westren.

This fixture also proudly marked the 100 games milestone for homegrown full-back Kyle Moyle, whilst wing Alex O’Meara was making his 50th appearance. Both were in a backline that remained unchanged from the previous weekend’s selection, however in the forwards there were starting roles for prop Billy Keast and hooker Dan Frost. On-loan Bristol scrum-half, Reiss Cullen, keen to make his debut, was named on the bench.

On a perfect afternoon the Pirates got off to a perfect start, centre Dan Koster taking advantage of a Richmond error to breeze in from 35 metres. Fly-half Will Cargill converted from in front of the Penzance posts.

Richmond hit back with two penalties slotted by their full-back Rob Kirby, who is third in the Championship’s top scorers list, but the Pirates would soon register their second converted try of the match, this time a celebration effort from O’Meara at the clubhouse corner.

Richmond, however, responded by displaying some of the stubbornness expected pre-match. Indeed, approaching the half-hour mark a converted try from flanker Jesse Liston narrowed the deficit to just one point.

Home supporters hoped that their side could rally before the break, and it was De Battista who delivered, his converted score to the right of the Penzance posts making it 21-13.

Cargill kicked a penalty at the start of the second forty, which was followed by another fine, and again converted try. The crowd had expected for a penalty to be called after Cargill had been late-tackled, but with advantage seemingly played it was flanker Tom Lawday who then made a telling, tearaway burst. After he tore down the left flank the ball promptly found the hands of wing Matt Evans who dotted down the bonus-point-providing score.

The Pirates were now very much in the ascendancy, delighting their sun-splashed supporters. De Battista, happy to mix it along side the forwards, scored once more, as again did Evans.

A next challenge was to pass the 50 points mark, which was achieved in the 75th minute when the admirable De Battista completed his hat-trick, with what was his eighth Championship try of the season.

Richmond had been well beaten on the day, but at the end they did manage one more consolation effort, replacement hooker Jason Phipps’ try converted once more by Kirby.

Cornish Pirates coach Gavin Cattle said: “As coaches, Paves (joint coach Alan Paver) and I were not overall impressed in the first half, especially with our play in the collision area, so that try just before the half-time was handy.

“We spoke during the interval about opportunities not taken and there a need to have a shift in mindset, to be more clinical and to carry with extra intent, and the boys delivered.

“For a coach, a perfect game just doesn’t happen, however we were really pleased with our response, and various elements provided real satisfaction.”

“There were some really good performances. Nicolas was exceptional, and since recovering from injury Matt’s display provided another testament to his character.

“Moyler didn’t make the scoresheet on his special day, but he has been playing really well at full-back, whilst 50th appearance man Alex has come on leaps and bounds.

“Our Exeter Chiefs dual-registered players also performed well, and although there are two tough games remaining, both against teams above us in the league, our aim will be to give a further good account of ourselves.”

Cornish Pirates: 15 Kyle Moyle (Laurence May 60), 14 Alex O’Meara, 13 Dan Koster (Nico Coronel 50), 12 Nicolas De Battista (capt), 11 Matt Evans, 10 Will Cargill, 9 Alex Day (Reiss Cullen 70); 1 Billy Keast, 2 Dan Frost (Marlen Walker 56), 3 Christian Judge (Jack Andrew 56), 4 Toby Freeman (Josh Caulfield 53), 5 Brett Beukeboom, 6, Tom Lawday, 7 John Stevens (Dan Lee 53), 8 Tom Duncan.

Richmond: 15 Rob Kirby, 14 Jono Woodward (Cameron Hudson 48), 13 Cameron Mitchell, 12 Ronnie McLean-Dents, 11 Jordan Simpson-Heft, 10 Rory Damant, 9 Luc Jones (Jamie Gibbs 56); 1 Jerry Cunnew (Will Goodrick-Clarke 51), 2 Ross Grimstone (Jason Phipps 56), 3 Joe Tarrant (Craig Trenier 56), 4 Will Warden (capt, Charlie Lenygon 60), 5 Chris Davies, 6 Jesse Liston (Harison Edwards 51), 7 Jack Allcock, 8 Jake Parker.

Scorers:

Cornish Pirates – tries: De Battista (3), Evans (2), Koster, O’Meara; cons: Cargill (5); pens: Cargill (2).

Richmond – tries: Liston, Phipps; cons: Kirby (2); pens: Kirby (2).