That they had lead from as early as the sixth minute via Cook's second stab at the sticks seemed irrelevant at times regardless of what the stats were screaming; as the Welsh Premiership outfit looked more than capable from the scraps they were feeding from, to potentially pull off an against the odds result.

Time and again they met any challenge to their line with tackling that invariably sent the Cornish raider either backwards; or very stationary, very suddenly at least. On the rare counter attack in comparison, they looked really sharp with winger Poole deservedly bagging a couple of dot downs on the left. At tackle time too; and despite the usual suspects putting in a good shift, a Welsh ball carrier would often break the first up hit.

Plenty then to be wary of. Hence that sense of urgency to extend any advantage beyond just a score or less that began to creep in, and despite an over-riding display of patience that by maintaining their strategies the hosts should prevail.

The home side did though suffer an early blow as Gulliver had to be replaced in the eighth minute by Myerscough. The boy from Bude didn't disappoint as ever, as his presence on the field continues to increase and impress with each minute of game time, following his late, late start to the season. This performance was no exception.

After a messed up Catch & Drive attempt and a typical side step and snipe by Bentley had come and gone; further reward came after 15 mins from Cooks right peg in, it has to be said, very tricky kicking conditions. A gusty and fresh wind that began from behind the town end, quickly became more easterly as the game progressed, presenting a real challenge from tee and hand alike. 6-0

Further immediate progress was nipped in the bud moments later however, as Labuschange became the first Sin Bin occupant; handing Newport their first real chance of points of any kind. Wannell delivered with relative ease to peg back the Cornishmen from nowhere, whilst the lock considered his misdemeanour at the breakdown. 6-3

The Black & Ambers could do little more with their numerical advantage though as the Pirates continued to enjoy the chance to keep their hands warm on such a raw afternoon. They prodded, probed and didn't shy away from trying to spread it wider whenever they could too.

Either way, the clock continued to tick over before at last Jackson broke through, turning the visitors conclusively onto their back feet. Further good work by Ireland maintained the momentum leaving Cook in a win-win situation over at the Scoreboard Corner for a well worked and deserved try. His attempt at the extras was hijacked by the wind to go wide; but 11-3 looked decidedly healthier with Rod due back into the fray in only a couple of minutes.

Newport though had other ideas and hit back straight from the restart; if a little suspiciously. The hanging kick looked covered by Cook who leapt upwards to meet the trajectory. The Full Back's return to earth wasn't as serene and via means undetermined was left prostrate for Mrs Devlin to kiss better. Leo and his chums had seen nothing adverse leaving the Welshmen to play out their finest move to date to allow Poole to dive over wide left to reduce the gap back to 3 once more. 11-8

Wannell's slug from the touchline hit the wind tunnel requiring the TJ's to do little more than scamper back to their requisite lines; flags pointed groundward.

Labuschange trotted back on just as Newport prop Pattison ambled off in the opposite direction, grateful at least that the seat would at least be warm. Mr Colgan had tired of having to remind the visitors of the rules about offside no doubt.

With the proverbial boot on the other foot now, the Pirates wasted little time in trying to press home this advantage. McGlone came desparately close; only to be held up over the line and trigger a sequence of scrummages that ultimately used up a precious five minutes.

On 4-5 occasions the Welsh pack infringed one way or another as they creaked worringly for their travelling fans. A case for P. Try to be pencilled onto the scoresheet? Very possibly. The cause for concern though was that the Pirates may well emerge with nothing which indeed they did; and despite a cheeky tap and go by eventual MoM, McAtee, who collected a loose ball from one such scrum collapse; before his ad lib was hauled back for the already (?) decided upon re-set.

The Welsh 7's star though was to provide a real highlight once the Newport break out had been snubbed out close to his own 22.

Guaging all options in a lateral path towards the main stand, it became quickly apparent that something special was about to erupt as the winger used his vision and change of directions to good effect. Some 70m on (in total) and with a trail of defenders in his wake Rhoddri's run finally came to halt as Owen and Wyatt tracked the incoming human missile to their relief.

11-8 it remained; although there was still time for Bentley to try and add to the tally before the half concluded. He didn't and with the diagonal wind set to be behind the visitors at the turnaround, there was genuine reason for the jitters.

This state of tension remained after the break as the Pirates, defying the conditions to pin back their opponents, still couldn't turn pressure into points.

Cook had the first chance only two minutes in, following a high tackle on Bentley. But his penalty was blown wide from barely 30m out and in front of the posts.

That previously mentioned patience persisted from the Cornishmen as talismen Paver and Cowan were introduced seven minutes later, no doubt with the intention of adding different dimensions to the engine room.

Improvements were forthcoming, but it was open to debate as to whether the black cat that encroached the playing area from the Clubhouse Corner, was the true reason. Could this be the beginning of a similar gesture for luck that the French already use with their penchant for smuggling in the traditional, live cockerel to internationals one wonders?

Perhaps. An archetypal bullocking run from Ward followed immediately, suggesting the feline intervention may well have had some effect. But this, and a searching box kick from Cattle still brought no reward.

Our guests responed by shrugging off the siege mentality for the first time after 15 minutes; hopeing no doubt to have some fun of their own. The danger they posed was all too apparent even if it didn't last long.

How they ended up wishing it had though as the threat passed with some good defence and counter attacking. Bentley was again the main protagonist, as his next run lead to a deft chip through for him and others to chase. The bounce was kind and it was Jackson with his avionic display that finally changed the whole complexion of the game.

Cook couldn't miss from there and at 18-8 the finishing tape was at last in sight.

This vision became clearer still as Newport were reduced to 14 once again, with skipper Coombs seeing yellow from another indiscretion as the screw was tightened further on him and his colleagues. Cook added three more for his troubles and with fifteen minutes left the floodgates could well have opened up. 21-8

Not for the first time Newport refused to rollover and accept their fate. And why should they?

Temporarily their hosts' concentration lasped which allowed a flowing move over to the left wing to build nicely; gifting Poole with the chance in the corner to double his personal tally.

Wannell's last signifcant contribution was fruitless from the touchline. But it did at least serve as a timely reminder that a berth in semi final draw wasn't quite in the bag. 21-13

Step forward McAtee to steer the ship back onto course. His mazey run a couple of minutes later, following Morgan's retention of possession at the restart; gave Cowan the gift of a try. The score quelling any further thoughts of any Welsh revival even if Cook missed the conversion. 26-13.

The final ten minutes were played out with relative ease by the Pirates although it was the Welshmen who were to make the final impression.

Time was up and the game lost as Coombs redeemed his earlier transgression with a consolation try. Griffiths made no mistake from the tee and so the final scoreline at least gave Newport some earned respectability.

There was little doubt that the better team had won, but the team from south Wales had proven their worth and dispelled any pre-conceptions by the bucket load. Many had expected a fist fest going by pre match reports from previous scalps in the competition. How wrong that was! And what thrilling entertainment so perfect for St Piran Day celebrations.

Cornish Pirates 26
15 R. Cook 14 R. McAtee 11 N. Jackson
13 P. Devlin 12 M. Ireland 10 J. Bentley 9 G. Cattle (capt)
8 L. McGlone 7 D. Ward 6 C. Morgan
5 B. Gulliver 4 R. Labuschagne 3 R. Brits 2 1 P. Andrew.

Replacements: 16 Ryan Storer 17 A.Paver 18 T. Holmes 19 M. Myerscough 20 B. Cowan 21 R.Jones 22 S. Winn.

Tries: Cook, Jackson, Cowan
Con: Cook
Pens: Cook 3

Newport 20
1 Dai Pattison 2 Andrew Brown 3 Gethin Robinson
4 Dafydd Rosser 5 Adam Brown
6 Sam Waldron 7 Craig Hill 8 Andrew Coombs (capt)
9 Alex Walker 10 Chris Wannell 12 Pat Leach 13 Adam Hughes
11 Ryan Owen 14 Mike Poole 15 Gareth Wyatt

Replacements: 16 Luke Hunter 17 Dan Way 18 Mark Workman 19 Dan McShane 20 Scott Williams 21 Dan Griffiths 22 Andrew Quick

Tries: Poole 2 Coombs
Pens: Gray 3

Referee: Leo Colgan (IRFU)
TJs: Ian Tempest, Nigel Higginson
Assessor: Mick Coleman

Man of the Match: Rhoddri McAtee