Ultimately they fell short, but with no option other than to seek a third try of their own moving into the last five minutes, the Bees came mighty close to pulling off a shock win, but for some steadfast Pirate defence.

It was the Bees who started proceedings and straightaway looked to go on the offensive. Maintaining possession meant nothing though as in these early exchanges it was clear the visitors had all the angles covered to snub out any serious incursions towards their 22.

As if to confirm this when the Pirates did finally get their hands on the pill they immediately looked dangerous as eventual MoM Cowley broke away with purpose. Some good offloading in the tackle followed taking the Pirates deep into the Bees territory and creating increasing disarray in the Midlanders defence. Not unsurprisingly Mr Pertigan spotted an infringement which Ollie Thomas duly punished to give the Pirates a 3-0 lead, against the early run of play, and with barely four minutes completed.

Bouyed by this, the Pirates set about looking to capitalise and pressed for more. Eight minutes later and a first try beckoned as Winnan went forwards and caught his own up and under; out jumping a Bees second row in the process. The attack was temporarily quelled but still produced a Pirates scrum about 15 metres out from the home line. Fairhurst picked up and dummied to send the ball down the line that had been weighted towards the Pirates left flank, before gleefully sprinting through the gap to score under the posts. Thomas converted to give the Pirates an ominous looking ten point lead.

As has been their trademark all season, the Bees refused to rollover and do the decent thing. Their forwards once again started to make a bit of ground around the base of the ruck, and shuffle the balance of power back into their favour. In typically gritty fashion their industry was rewarded, if only with two penalties from three from Paul Knights boot, to bring the scores back to within four by the time everyone opted to take shelter at the break from the by now more frequent and hail filled showers.

The Pirates though were putting in some huge tackles to halt any Bees progress; Cowley as ever leading by example, ably supported by Cook, Seal and Motusaga in particular.

Despite this, albeit with increasing rarity until the end of the half, the Pirates did too have their moments and still looked the more likely to cross the whitewash. McAtee saw one move go begging on the left when he opted to step in, instead of staying wide; he may also consider himself fortunate to still be on the park for a push off the ball on Spee.

Lilo however could curse the bounce of the ball when it went loose from a wayward Bees hand and beckoned teasingly in front of him. A kinder trajectory and he would have scampered in unopposed from just inside the Bees half. Otherwise any good build ups were often squandered when a more simplified approach would more likely have borne fruit.

During the break, the Bees brought James Aston on for number 8 Gareth McCombe this being as the only change to date.

Hobson's excellent take from the Pirates own kick off set up a brisk and promising start to the second period for the visitors. When McAtee sprinted over into the left hand corner within five minutes for his third try in as many appearances, this surely signalled a chance to build a more comfortable lead. That precious bonus point seemed likelier too as Thomas slotted the conversion from the touchline to give the Pirates a 17-6 lead.

Scripts though are always there to be ripped as this latest setback seemed only to spur the home side on once again. A penalty three minutes later from Bees fly half Paul Knight gave the home side some hope once again without still offering any real indication of scoring by any other means.

Jimmy Moore then entered the arena in place of McAtee who appeared to be suffering from a knock to the Bean. All seemed under control still, until that was Peter Cook was sent to the sidelines having earlier been warned for coming in from the side.

For approaching five minutes all seemed in hand despite the numbers disadvantage as the Pirates repelled all incomers. Heard then replaced Cowley to make up the the front row but the cracks started to appear when it was decided to call for uncontested scrums; at least until Cook returned, as Sam appeared to be struggling fitness wise.

Maybe it would have been wiser in hindsight to introduce Daviduik sooner or at least get Tim back on as the Bees sniffed a chance and took it. The uncontested call backfired and by the time normal service was resumed the Bees had snatched two converted tries through Daish and Gabey to give the Bees a deserved 23-17 lead with 15 minutes of real time left.

Now staring down the barrel the Pirates came straight back at the hosts in pursuit of the win, a cause aided by hero-now turned-villian, Davidson, being locked up ten soon after Cook's return.

 Straightaway a driving maul was marched 20 metres upfield, and allowing the Pirates to get into a dangerous position for the first time in some fifteen minutes.

The first forays were seen off, one of which was cleared as newly introduced Steenson found himself pinned to the ground with some unwelcome attention from two opponents.

His revenge for this soon came as the Cornishmen once more re-grouped and set up good field position in the Bees 22 in front of the posts. Receiving the ball from Fairhurst, the Irishman feinted to pass before dipping his left shoulder to sprint into a small gap his move had opened up. Once through the defensive line there was no stopping him, which he added to with the extras to turn the game back around into a Pirates lead by a single point.

Davidson's indescretion was further compounded just before his re-introduction as a Steenson penalty left the Bees with little option but to press for a third try; a kickable score now being next to useless.

On the evidence of the previous 70-75 minutes play it was no surprise then to see them give it one hell of a go. Time and again and with injury time seemingly endless they pounded away and came close on several occasions.

As we have seen before though, more often than not it is the defence in these situations who gain in ascendancy the longer these goal line sieges go on. With Stan McKeen back in the fray on for Motusaga, this looked more and more the case as the Canadian manfully lead the rearguard action; no doubt glad to be back in the thick of it.

By the time Mr Vertigan decided enough was enough it was the Cornish side going forwards even if it was still the Bees in possession and on the attack.

In the end it came good and with no mean effort; but only just. A fortunate win in the end then in many respects, but one that could so easily have still produced an important fourth try despite the problems seeking some consistent authority.

Quite how Devlin for example was adjudged to have been in receipt of a forward pass from perhaps the slickest move of the game was beyond most observers.

But then to have won by more than the eventual margin of four may have been a touch too flattering to give a true impression of today's fayre.

Work to be done then before next weeks cup tie with Northampton, but more importantly perhaps the away league fixture at Sandy Park a fortnight later. Like most sports fans though, we may be excused of this thought process as the chance to turn over the Saints at the thrid time of asking is far too tempting.

Cornish Pirates 27
15 A. Winnan 14 R. McAtee 13 P. Devlin 12 S. Winn 11 V. Lilo
10 O. Thomas 9 E. Fairhurst
8 M. Evans 7 I. Motusaga 6 T. Cowley (capt)
5 S. Hobson 4 H. Senekal
3 D. Seal 2 R. Elloway 1 P. Cook.

Replacements:
D. Dawidiuk, S. Heard, S. McKeen, S. Betty, G. Steenson
R. Bolt, J. Moore.

Tries: Fairhurst, McAtee, Steenson
Cons: Thomas 2, Steenson
Pens: Thomas, Steenson

Pertemps Bees 23
15 Vakacegu 14 Spee 13 Ashley 12 Knight D 11 Cameron
10 Knight P 9 Griffiths
8 McCombe 7 Earnshaw 6 Daish
5 Gaby 4 Davidson
3 Bucknall 2 Pearl 1 Long (Capt)

Replacements:
16 Osborn 17 Reddlinghuys 18 Uakazuwaka 19 Aston
20 Higgins 21 Preece 22 Mangeolles

Tries: Daish, Gabey
Cons: Knight P 2
Pens: Knight P 3

Referee: Andrew Vertigan
Touch Judges: Dale Newitt, Steve Makinson
Assessor: G Blackburn

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