However, after some sterling rearguard action from the Cornishman for long periods in the second half; cue an inspired run down his left wing by Jimmy Moore that broke the seige and gave the team a sniff of a chance. When the ball finally made it's way over to the opposite side of the pitch under the shade of the main stand, and into the hands of Pirates Man of the Match, Stevie Winn; the Pirates willingness to a man to put himself forward to be counted was rewarded with a late, late flourish.

A healthy sized crowd had gathered at this famous old venue, expectant of a feast of rugby on a day that offered itself perfectly for just such. There being not a cloud in the sky and very little in the way of a breeze on what was already a chilly winters afternoon; ideal in other words for both teams to play expansively given the chance. This didn't quite transpire of course but this was in no way through any lack of ambition.

Kicking off with the sun in their eyes, it was the Pirates who went on the first offensive, no doubt keen to pick up from they had left off last Sunday. These early probes though bore no fruit and as if to snub this ambition, it was the Blues who troubled the scorers first in the 6th minute, as Pritchard knocked over the first of a perfect 5 from 5 set of penalty kicks on what was Bedford's first serious foray into Pirate territory.

Unperturbed, the Pirates resumed their quest but it was soon becoming apparent that this would evolve into a true blood and thunder contest, with the hosts unwilling to relinquish their own recent run of success.

And so it transpired although it would be anything but dour as both sides sought to get the ball out wide soonest. Cowley and Cummings display of tackling and Steenson's ripping of the ball from Strauss's grasp perhaps signifying that no-one was exempt from their shift at the front.

Pirates hopes of success though took a knock at the midway mark of the half as top try scorer, Devlin, limped off with an ankle injury. Press Gang sponsored Brian Tuohy replaced the unfortunate Irishman and made his mark almost immediately with a powerful break on 25 mins that swung the balance of power back to the visitors at a crucial stage of the match. The surging run took play from well inside his own half to the Blues 22 only to see his efforts cancelled out for an offside decision as his support looked to capitalise.

It mattered not as the writing was on the wall and despite some unfathomable officiating handing Pritchard the chance to double their lead on the half hour, after a 5m lineout went nowhere for them. This in no small way down to some huge tackling from the Cowley and Cummings double act in particular.

Tuohy's next contribution barely five minutes later redressed this setback as he carved another opening to put Motusaga through for a simple try under the posts in front of the Clubhouse, which Steenson comfortably converted.

A single point lead was extended soon after to four as Steenson's reliable boot was called on to punish a rarely spotted Bedford infringement. Such was Mr Newitt's even handedness on the afternoon!

This however only came moments after Cracknell had been mysteriously binned, having been the target of Bedford fist off the ball. Senekal's incensed intervention drew attention to the culprit and so scrum half Dickson saw yellow too for his troubles, no doubt nursing his knuckles after such a foolish choice of target!

Ever dependable prop, Paver, had to leave the field too when his ankle gave up the ghost to be replaced by Cook who'd wisely used the facilities only moments before.

Ten-six it was then as the teams left the field for a well earned slice of Jaffa from a match that was bubbling nicely.

At the resumption the visitors cause though took knock after knock as Bedford retained possession from their own kick to put the Pirates under the cosh immediately. Applying the pressure by increments saw Motusaga left temporarily poleaxed and requiring treatment. Whether still dazed or not, once back on his feet he was straight back into the thick of things, but unfortunately too much so in Mr Newitts eyes.

Iva trudged off for ten for coming in from the side, as Pritchard reduced the gap back to a point. Being pinged seemed marginal when the ball appeared to have popped out of the back of the ruck. Having to proceed to Jail without passing Go therefore felt harsh. Either way, the Pirates were now down to 13 and although only one down numerically, they would certainly have to dig deep for the next ten if Bedford were to be prevented from gaining any stranglehold.

Encouragingly they did as the Blues' pressure fell short of producing any further points as all the offenders served their time before returning to the fray. Fresh legs were therefore called into action as both sides continued their fight for a grip on this absorbing game.

Two further Pritchard penalties in the space of four minutes either side of a missed drop goal attempt by Allen, at last turned things back in the home sides favour moving into the final ten minutes. Their lead though deserved did have a fragile feel to it all the same, particularly as the Pirates line began to have that impregnable look to it.

The Pirates though needed possesion; a commodity that had been all to rare in the second period. But the first shoots of hope appeared as Winnan who'd had a notable first half, once more featured and ventured forward chasing his own clearance. His opposite number Burke felt the full force as Adyran and he went for the 50-50 in the air and landed awkwardly on his return to terra firma.

Sadly Brendan was to take no further part and had only a ride in the back of an ambulance to look forward to with a worrying looking leg injury. Winnan had to settle for being penalised, but the writing was on the wall as the Pirates sensed a turnaround of fortune.

Their Talismen props, Seal and Paver swapped places on the park temporarily as the former went off briefly for some needlework to a cut; Hop Along Alan gamely hobbling around to avoid any contentious need for uncontested scrums.

One or two gaps began to appear as the home sides momentum began to evapourate. Then Moore made the telling break down the left which at last saw Bedford on the back foot. Possession was maintained after a succession of phases and a set piece or two before Winn received the critical pass at pace. Fired up no doubt by his earlier defensive prowess, there was no stopping the centre as he crossed the line wide on the right to level the scores; a couple of defenders left in his wake for good measure.

Thomas's kick sailed over to hand the lead back to the Cornishman who then proceeded to seek more before finally settling for the result by seeing the ball booted out from the last play of the game.

A hard fought win for sure but four points well earned in a closely fought, tense affair that did both sides credit. It wasn't the tryfest some no doubt hoped for after recent exploits, but this was entertaining fayre nonetheless. With 3rd placed Nottingham to play next in two weeks after another weekend off in between, what a mouth watering prospect under the circumstances this fixture has become.

Cornish Pirates 17
15 Adryan Winnan 14 Jimmy Moore 13 Paul Devlin 12 Steve Winn
11 Rhodri McAtee 10 Gareth Steenson 9 Ed Fairhurst
8 Tim Cowley (capt) 7 Iva Motusaga 6 Chris Cracknell
5 Bruce Cumming 4 Heino Senekal
3 Dan Seal 2 Rob Elloway 1 Alan Paver.

Replacements (from):
Peter Cook, Nathan Kemp, Scott Hobson, Matt Evans, Sam Betty
Ollie Thomas, Brian Tuohy, Richard Bolt.

Tries: Motusaga, Winn
Cons: Steenson, Thomas
Pens: Steenson

Bedford Blues 15
15 Brendan Burke 14 Craig Moir 13 Liam Roberts 12 Matt Allen
11 James Pritchard 10 Jon Elrick 9 Karl Dickson 8 James Lumby
7 Sacha Harding 6 Nic Strauss 5 Arthur Brenton 4 Mouritz Botha
3 James Graham 2 Dan Richmond 1 Alistair Lyon

Replacements:
16 Greg Sammons 17 Bruno Fortuna 18 Dave Hawksworth
19 Jon Phillips 20 Ben Pienaar 21 Will Chudley 22 Ben Patston

Pens: Pritchard 5

Referee: Dale Newitt

Touch Judges: Llyr Apgeraint Roberts, Paul Burton
Assessor: Clive Nicholas, David Thomas