Pirates Woe at Moseley 19th April 2008
By woll jnr April 22 2008
By the final whistle Moseley were indeed good value for their win against a Pirates side who were woeful for long periods. Yes, there was some questionable officiating which didn't help the cause, but the Cornish side just hadn't turned up. Moseley too had adopted a more positive approach than when last these two sides met, much to everyone's relief; a strategy that proved it's worth.
By the final whistle Moseley were indeed good value for their win against a Pirates side who were woeful for long periods. Yes, there was some questionable officiating which didn't help the cause, but the Cornish side just hadn't turned up. Moseley too had adopted a more positive approach than when last these two sides met, much to everyone's relief; a strategy that proved it's worth.
The Pirates kicked off through the boot of Ollie Thomas playing against his former club. Possession was regained but a fumbled pass to Cracknell gave Moseley the chance to counter, and counter they did. Playing more rugby in the first minute than they did in the whole of the fixture at Camborne, the hosts took a deserved lead courtesy of right winger Charles Sharples. The try was converted by former Worcester man Tommy Hayes to give the home team a 7-0 lead with barely a minute played.
This seemed to trigger both teams into life although Moseley were looking dangerous going forward. The Pirates were being undone by their own errors and the home team were able to counter and make good ground. Worryingly for the Pirates the scrum was creaking, but they were winning good turnover ball at the lineout with Hobson and Cummings making a mess of opposition ball.
It took about 25 minutes before the Pirates began to make any serious impact. Ball was won at set piece, ground made in the loose and tackles were being broken. Moseley were then reduced to 14 when Andrew Binns came in from the side of the ruck close to his own goal line and was sent to the cooler with his ball and mitt. Immediately, the Pirates scored through a textbook catch and drive 5 metres out from the Moseley line. Not for the first time it was Cracknell who came up with the ball to bring the Pirates within 2 points. Sadly the conversion from out wide missed the target but at 7-5 it was game on. Or would it?
After this setback, the hosts seemed to find another gear despite having their fullback still in the sin bin. A penalty from Hayes meant that the hosts were 5 points clear as half time approached but it was Ollie Thomas who had the final say of the first half with a 45 metre penalty goal to bring the score back to 8-10 in favour of Moseley.
Both sides would therefore be fairly happy with their efforts in the first half although from totally different perspectives. The Pirates would feel a sense of relief, whilst the hosts could look forward to having the elements now on their side. Either way, with some of the refereeing decisions and Moseley's determined mood, the second half would surely be tough for an out of sorts Pirates.
In a repeat of the first half, it was a Pirates mistake that gifted Moseley a try with only a few minutes gone in the second period. This time it was outside centre Jack Adams who wriggled over for a try. Hayes duly converted and suddenly the hosts were two scores ahead with the Pirates still not functioning and with little sign of doing so. At the same time, Steve Winn had taken a knock to the shoulder and had to be replaced by Mark Ireland who slotted straight into the centres.
Minutes later, and the Pirates task got much tougher as left wing Bressington scored in the corner after an interception from Adams. Hayes this time was unsuccessful with his kick but the Pirates were now 22-8 behind with only about half an hour left on the clock. Before the game was restarted, Thomas was replaced by Exeter bound Steenson to try to make the Pirates backline fire, while Seal and Cook made way for Heard and Paver to shore up the still ineffective scrum. Moseley's Neil Mason came on for Paul Arnold in the second row.
There was still time for one of the Pirates trademark comebacks and a revival seemed to be brewing when Brian Tuohy strolled between the posts to give the Pirates their second try of the game. Steenson slotted the extras to leave the visitors only 7 points behind with about 25 minutes left on the clock. In the meantime Rhodders had taken a whack to the shoulder and was replaced by Vunga Lilo with Jimmy Moore taking the scrum half role.
Then came some more outrageous decisions from Mr Rose when Paver and Heard were binned in quick succession. Stout defence ensured that only one try was leaked courtesy of number 8 James Rodwell but it seemed like the final nail in the Pirates coffin. Hayes converted to give the home team a 29-15 lead with only a quarter of an hour left to play. Sam Betty came on for Scott Hobson who had done well at the lineout, winning good ball on the opposition throw.
After what seemed like more than 10 minutes, Paves and Heard returned from jail to take their places back in the front row while Darren Dawiduk came on for Rob Elloway. Things started to get fiesty with Moseley starting to retreat in the scrum, tempers flared when the home team hooker Adam Caves landed a punch on Crackers who in return landed an absolute peach in return, leaving Caves sprawled on the floor wondering what on earth had hit him. Both were sent to the bin to reflect on their actions, Caves no doubt feeling rather sheepish about trying to pick a fight with Mr Cracknell.
With the game lost, the visitors went in search of a consolation try. Initially the home defence held firm but gradually Moseley found themselves with their heels on the tryline.
The Pirates third try came from Big Sam who trundled over from close range dragging at least two defenders with him. Steenson missed the conversion from out wide to nab the bonus point.
Now we must look ahead to the last game of the season against London Welsh and hope the potential for fireworks from both teams comes to fruition.
Cornish Pirates 20
15 Adryan Winnan 14 Jimmy Moore 11 Brian Tuohy
13 Paul Devlin 12 Steve Winn (Capt)
10 Ollie Thomas 9 Rhodri McAtee
8 Matt Evans 7 Iva Motusaga 6 Chris Cracknell
5 Bruce Cumming 4 Scott Hobson
3 Dan Seal 2 Rob Elloway 1 Peter Cook
Replacements:
Alan Paver, Darren Dawidiuk, Sam Heard, Sam Betty, Vunga Lilo, Mark Ireland, Gareth Steenson.
Tries: Cracknell, Tuohy, Heard
Con: Steenson
Pen: Thomas
Moseley 29
15 Andrew Binns 14 Charles Sharples 11 Nathan Bressington
13 Jack Adams 12 Ali James,
10 Tommy Hayes 9 Gareth Taylor
3 Ben Buxton 2 Adam Caves 1 Nathan Williams
4 Paul Arnold 5 Richard Stott
7 Richard Bignall 6 Oliver Atkinson 8 James Rodwell.
Replacements: 16 Daniel Ostleton 17 Neil Mason 18 Paul Ensor 19 Mark Evans 20 David Lewis
21 Paul Cox 22 Oliver Winter
Tries: Sharples, Adams, Bressington, Rodwell
Cons: Hayes 3
Pen: Hayes
Referee: David Rose
Touch Judges: Matt Daubney and David Matthews
This seemed to trigger both teams into life although Moseley were looking dangerous going forward. The Pirates were being undone by their own errors and the home team were able to counter and make good ground. Worryingly for the Pirates the scrum was creaking, but they were winning good turnover ball at the lineout with Hobson and Cummings making a mess of opposition ball.
It took about 25 minutes before the Pirates began to make any serious impact. Ball was won at set piece, ground made in the loose and tackles were being broken. Moseley were then reduced to 14 when Andrew Binns came in from the side of the ruck close to his own goal line and was sent to the cooler with his ball and mitt. Immediately, the Pirates scored through a textbook catch and drive 5 metres out from the Moseley line. Not for the first time it was Cracknell who came up with the ball to bring the Pirates within 2 points. Sadly the conversion from out wide missed the target but at 7-5 it was game on. Or would it?
After this setback, the hosts seemed to find another gear despite having their fullback still in the sin bin. A penalty from Hayes meant that the hosts were 5 points clear as half time approached but it was Ollie Thomas who had the final say of the first half with a 45 metre penalty goal to bring the score back to 8-10 in favour of Moseley.
Both sides would therefore be fairly happy with their efforts in the first half although from totally different perspectives. The Pirates would feel a sense of relief, whilst the hosts could look forward to having the elements now on their side. Either way, with some of the refereeing decisions and Moseley's determined mood, the second half would surely be tough for an out of sorts Pirates.
In a repeat of the first half, it was a Pirates mistake that gifted Moseley a try with only a few minutes gone in the second period. This time it was outside centre Jack Adams who wriggled over for a try. Hayes duly converted and suddenly the hosts were two scores ahead with the Pirates still not functioning and with little sign of doing so. At the same time, Steve Winn had taken a knock to the shoulder and had to be replaced by Mark Ireland who slotted straight into the centres.
Minutes later, and the Pirates task got much tougher as left wing Bressington scored in the corner after an interception from Adams. Hayes this time was unsuccessful with his kick but the Pirates were now 22-8 behind with only about half an hour left on the clock. Before the game was restarted, Thomas was replaced by Exeter bound Steenson to try to make the Pirates backline fire, while Seal and Cook made way for Heard and Paver to shore up the still ineffective scrum. Moseley's Neil Mason came on for Paul Arnold in the second row.
There was still time for one of the Pirates trademark comebacks and a revival seemed to be brewing when Brian Tuohy strolled between the posts to give the Pirates their second try of the game. Steenson slotted the extras to leave the visitors only 7 points behind with about 25 minutes left on the clock. In the meantime Rhodders had taken a whack to the shoulder and was replaced by Vunga Lilo with Jimmy Moore taking the scrum half role.
Then came some more outrageous decisions from Mr Rose when Paver and Heard were binned in quick succession. Stout defence ensured that only one try was leaked courtesy of number 8 James Rodwell but it seemed like the final nail in the Pirates coffin. Hayes converted to give the home team a 29-15 lead with only a quarter of an hour left to play. Sam Betty came on for Scott Hobson who had done well at the lineout, winning good ball on the opposition throw.
After what seemed like more than 10 minutes, Paves and Heard returned from jail to take their places back in the front row while Darren Dawiduk came on for Rob Elloway. Things started to get fiesty with Moseley starting to retreat in the scrum, tempers flared when the home team hooker Adam Caves landed a punch on Crackers who in return landed an absolute peach in return, leaving Caves sprawled on the floor wondering what on earth had hit him. Both were sent to the bin to reflect on their actions, Caves no doubt feeling rather sheepish about trying to pick a fight with Mr Cracknell.
With the game lost, the visitors went in search of a consolation try. Initially the home defence held firm but gradually Moseley found themselves with their heels on the tryline.
The Pirates third try came from Big Sam who trundled over from close range dragging at least two defenders with him. Steenson missed the conversion from out wide to nab the bonus point.
Now we must look ahead to the last game of the season against London Welsh and hope the potential for fireworks from both teams comes to fruition.
Cornish Pirates 20
15 Adryan Winnan 14 Jimmy Moore 11 Brian Tuohy
13 Paul Devlin 12 Steve Winn (Capt)
10 Ollie Thomas 9 Rhodri McAtee
8 Matt Evans 7 Iva Motusaga 6 Chris Cracknell
5 Bruce Cumming 4 Scott Hobson
3 Dan Seal 2 Rob Elloway 1 Peter Cook
Replacements:
Alan Paver, Darren Dawidiuk, Sam Heard, Sam Betty, Vunga Lilo, Mark Ireland, Gareth Steenson.
Tries: Cracknell, Tuohy, Heard
Con: Steenson
Pen: Thomas
Moseley 29
15 Andrew Binns 14 Charles Sharples 11 Nathan Bressington
13 Jack Adams 12 Ali James,
10 Tommy Hayes 9 Gareth Taylor
3 Ben Buxton 2 Adam Caves 1 Nathan Williams
4 Paul Arnold 5 Richard Stott
7 Richard Bignall 6 Oliver Atkinson 8 James Rodwell.
Replacements: 16 Daniel Ostleton 17 Neil Mason 18 Paul Ensor 19 Mark Evans 20 David Lewis
21 Paul Cox 22 Oliver Winter
Tries: Sharples, Adams, Bressington, Rodwell
Cons: Hayes 3
Pen: Hayes
Referee: David Rose
Touch Judges: Matt Daubney and David Matthews
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Re: Pirates Woe at Moseley 19th April 2008
Posted by: *Stalwart (IP Logged)
Date: 2008:04:22:13:29:26
Excellent report, Woll Jnr, sums it all up perfectly - but watch out for those rogue apostrophes, they pop up when you least expect it!
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