This was a match when the Pirates had much to play for.

They had lost against the Blues three times already this season, they were keen to give departing high performance manager Chris Stirling a happy send off before his return home to New Zealand, and the game also marked the 100th appearance in Pirates colours for full-back Rob Cook.

To provide due satisfaction the win sought was duly delivered, and of extra special importance it confirmed a semi-final place in this season's RFU Championship.

Centurion Cook led the Pirates out onto a sun-bathed Mennaye Field, and for reasons aforementioned there was also understandably more of a buzz about. However, it was a case of the buzz quickly evaporating and the crowd becoming a little subdued as the Blues proceeded to boss events early on.

Bedford entered this game without the services of leading points scorer and skipper James Pritchard, but when fly-half Jamie Lennard was just inches away from landing a penalty from all of 55 metres out, it was a reminder that they still possessed a man who could be dangerous with the boot.

Good footwork from full-back Brendan Burke enabled the Blues to press close to the Newlyn line, and pressure created gave Lennard a somewhat easier chance to slot the ball between the sticks. Surprisingly, he missed.

Two further penalties went on offer to Bedford, them opting for a catch and drive and then a quick tap penalty, but their hopes were thwarted by a Pirates team which would soon give their supporters something to at last shout about.

Home centre Andrew Suniula made a midfield burst to put the Pirates on the front foot, and after a catch and drive at the scoreboard corner prop Carl Rimmer drove over for an unconverted try.

Cook's conversion had rebounded off a post but he made no mistake to put the Pirates 8-0 up with a successful penalty strike after referee Mr. Pearce had shown a yellow card to Blues winger Handre Schmidt.

To hold a lead was against the run of play, but just past the half-hour mark Lennard pulled three points back with a penalty to make it 8-3, which was as it remained to the break..

The Pirates opened the second half in lively fashion, keen to get further points on the board before Schmidt's return. No points came, but they did shortly after Bedford were back to a full XV, when a converted try, scored by Suniula to the right of the Newlyn posts, made it 15-3.

Bedford not once lacked for adventure, and following wing Mark Kohler's excellent run Burke offered support to score a converted try. Now 15-10, it was interesting once more.

A penalty kicked by Cook opened up an eight points gap, but it was soon back to five after he was yellow-carded for a technical offence and Lennard claimed the three on offer.

It was all more than a little tense again, both on and off the field, and the game was still in the balance. For a side already through to the semi-finals stage the Blues had to be admired for bringing much to this particular contest.

Just before Cook's return, fly-half Ceiron Thomas was handed the kicking tee to slot an all important penalty from all of 40 metres out, which ultimately proved the match-winner.

Bedford still had enough time to get back into the game, and they did, thus putting things on a knife edge. Replacement fly-half Jake Sharp certainly lived up to his name to set up a try for replacement flanker Darren Fox, which he also converted, and with the scoreline reading 21-20 the last few minutes demanded the closest of attention.

The Pirates thankfully managed to hold on, thus claiming the semi-final spot sought. Who and when they will play will be confirmed following this coming weekend's games, but at least they can travel to Leeds Carnegie on Saturday with the pressure for the moment off.

Cornish Pirates: R. Cook, G. Pointer, S. Hill, A. Suniula, M. Evans, C. Thomas, G. Cattle (capt), B. Maidment, C. Morgan, K. Marriott (P. Burgess 79), M. Smith, L. McGlone (D. Ewers 68), A. Paver (C. Rimmer 68), D. Ward (R. Elloway 72), C. Rimmer (R. Brits 51).

Replacements (not used): T. Kessell, A. Penberthy, T. Cooper.

Yellow card: Cook