Five of the Best
Matches that Pirates fans will never forget!
By Dick Struaghan

Full Press Gang Story With Pictures >>>

It is time to put the smiles back on our faces now and remember some classic Pirates matches.

Once again everybody will have their own personal favourites but I have taken a selection of those games chosen by a number of fans for inclusion here.

Once again there are some notable absentees from the list who deserve a quick mention here. September 2002 saw the Pirates come back from 19-0 down to beat Stourbridge 22-24 with tries from an ever young Vili Ma`asi, Penrose and Lambert.

In November 2006 another great comeback was witnessed as the Pirates stole back from an 18-0 deficit at Clifton Lane to beat Earth Titans 18-24. On October 3rd 2004 five penalties from Lee Jarvis saw the Pirates home 15-9 against Exeter on a grim day at the Mennaye Field.

Ironically this was to be Kevin Moseley's final home game at the helm. And then there was the final match at Kenwyn in April 2006 when Kevin James` late late show brought the house down and sealed a nail-biting 29-28 win over Plymouth Albion.

Well that's the starters. Now for the main course.

Number Five
Pirates 11 Cardiff 3 - April 1960, and
Pirates 5 Cardiff 0 - 17/04/50

Two matches from the archives of the amateur era here when the Welsh side were a truly mighty opponent full of internationals.

The 1950 fixture was won in front of 5,000 soaking wet souls crammed into the Mennaye Field, whilst the 11-3 victory ten years later came after a huge battle and tries from Gerald Luke and Ray Burroughs.

Number Four
Exeter Chiefs 16 Pirates 43 - ND1 - 24/09/05
A majestic display of running rugby blew Exeter away on this final league visit to the old County Ground as the Pirates blasted their way to an early season ND1 top spot.

Tries from Bearman, Evans, K.James, S.James, and Davies did the damage as the firm conditions and fast-paced Pirates game destroyed the Chiefs.

Number Three
Pirates 40 London Welsh 38 - ND1 - 21/02/04
Will anyone who was at the Mennaye that day ever forget Lee Soper`s stoppage time winning try? The Welsh kicked for touch to kill the game. The ball inexplicably stayed in play.

The Pirates recycled it on their own goal line and launched an all guns blazing final assault. Steve Thomas suddenly burst clear from halfway with two men to beat, drew their tackles and flipped a precision pass to lock Soper on the left wing ten metres out. Two massive strides later the game was won.

Number Two
Bristol 11 Pirates 18 - ND1 - 12/02/05
The day the professional era Pirates came of age. A truly momentous win in difficult conditions at the citadel of Bristolian rugby.

Wes Davies and Gerald Arasa plundered the tries whilst two huge penalties late in the game from Lee Jarvis killed off a spirited fightback from the Shoguns as they threw absolutely everything at the Pirates defence.

Lodewyk Hattingh had a huge game marshalling and encouraging the troops.

His loss to the club through illness just six months later was a massive blow.

And at Number One….

Pirates 19 Exeter Chiefs 16 - EDF National Trophy Final - 15/04/07
What can be said about this one that has not already been said? When Gary Kingdom`s try and the boot of Tony Yapp took the Chiefs into a 6-16 lead early in the second half the signs were ominous for the Pirates.

Yet they never gave up in intense heat at Twickenham and instead stepped up the pace

Exeter suddenly wilted and as Villi "the mole" Ma`asi burrowed over from close range on the hour the game was turned on its head.

A penalty from Di Bernardo quickly levelled the scores and his long range effort with just four minutes remaining made sure that the silverware was coming home to Cornwall.

A never to be forgotten day for the army who made the trek.

*Thanks to Steve Tomlin (Old Prop Steve) for providing me with stats and info used to compile both of these features.

©Dick Straughan 2008

Full Press Gang Story With Pictures >>>

View a Printer Friendly version of this Story.

Bookmark or share this story with:

• Digg
• Delicious
• Facebook
• Reddit
• Stumbleupon

SPORTNETWORK SPECIALS

Cornish Pirates Poll