On a dull afternoon in west London, the Cornish Pirates started in a positive mode that was witnessed through most of the match, writes Phil Westren.
Awarded an early penalty, the option taken was to kick for the corner, and from the resulting line-out the Pirates took play near to the posts for the ball to then suddenly be moved right, enabling Callum Sirker to cross for the game’s opening try.
The conversion attempt for Harry Bazalgette was not an easy one and it narrowly missed.
Dominating the opening exchanges, the Pirates forwards looked lethal in their approach, and following a series of pick and goes they promptly scored their second try thanks to number 8 Seb Nagle-Taylor - his maiden such effort for the club - to which Bazalgette this time added the extras.
The Pirates soon pressurised their opponents once more, their efforts earning them a series of penalty awards, and after home flanker Miles Wakeling was shown a yellow card by referee Mr. Chivers, the Pirates took immediate advantage.
Once again it was their potent driving maul that led to them extending the lead with a try scored by hooker Max Norey – another first in Pirates’ colours.
Approaching the half-hour mark the Pirates strived to register a bonus-point-providing fourth try, and successfully so.
It was Sirker again who finished well, his effort following good approach work by influential skipper Tom Kessell. Bazalgette’s conversion was again an excellent one.
Happy to keep scoring, the visitors would conjure up one more converted try before the break.
Nagle-Taylor concentrated Richmond defenders, Kessell saw space to kick the ball into, and debutant Arthur Relton blitzed his way to the line.
The start of the second half saw the home team have their best spell thus far in the game, as for the first time in the match they took play inside the Pirates ‘22’ and were quick to score a try by flanker David Massey which was converted by replacement Craig Duncan.
Play was more evenly matched for a spell before a successful attack down the blindside saw hooker Max Norey score his second and the Pirates sixth try of the match.
More tries would follow, with replacement hooker Morgan Nelson getting his name on the scoresheet post yet another fine driving maul.
Bazalgette added the extras as the Pirates now set their focus on reaching the 50 points mark.
For a second week running there was much to please in the Pirates performance.
The defence was generally solid, whilst it was Relton who scored his second try of the afternoon to take the Pirates to the sought after half century of points.
Sirker recorded a personal hat-trick after hacking on the loose ball, whilst a late kick to the corner by Bazalgette provided a chance for the Pirates to add another final score, which they did through Nelson once more.
It was their tenth try of the afternoon to which Bazalgette added his sixth conversion.
Speaking at the end of Saturday’s contest, Cornish Pirates’ joint head coach Gavin Cattle said: "Both sides made a lot of changes for this match, but for us it was a pleasing performance because the foundations of our game functioned.
"We started the game impressively and overall I am really happy with the performance and the cohesion and discipline showed.
"Having taken a commanding lead it puts pressure on the opposition, and they have to react, which often leads to passes being forced and mistakes made.
"The boys likely expected a sterner test, but they did what they had to and controlled the game well, with players putting their hands up for selection in the process."
Final score: Cornish Pirates 62 Richmond 7
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