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Waterloo Sink Pirates At Liverpool Bay
By Phil W October 13 2006
On a day full of suprises around the division, a lethargic second half display saw the Pirates, who were 6-10 up at half time, lose to a team still seeking old furniture for the players unfurnished accomodation.

 

Pirates sunk at Waterloo

Waterloo 19 (6) Cornish Pirates 16 (10)

Match Report Thanks to Phil Westren
Photos Thanks to Ross Cotton

Following their outstanding 39-0 points league win against Otley at Camborne, the Pirates must have travelled quietly confident of emerging victorious from last Saturday’s away game against newly promoted Waterloo, the hosts having been comfortably beaten 9-45 by Graham Dawe’s Plymouth Albion side on the opening league weekend.

There were a number of changes in the Pirates starting line-up, three in the pack and three in the outsides, conditions at the home team’s historic Blundellsands ground, near Liverpool, surely ideal to provide a menu of free-flowing rugby football.

The Pirates certainly started with purpose, having the better of the opening exchanges. There was a plentiful supply of sound possession from the scrum and line-out, but when the ball went wide staunch defensive play from the “Drummers” prevented any early points being posted on the scoreboard.

Still 0-0 approaching the half-hour mark, it was time to take a quick look at the Pirates’ line-up to try and identify someone who could break the deadlock, provide the spark to make something happen, skipper and scrum-half Gavin Cattle not for the first time instinctively taking that treasured role. Making something from nothing his sharpness and awareness were the accustomed traits which suddenly saw him snipe clear and squeeze over for a try. Fly-half Alberto Di Bernardo converted and also soon slotted a penalty to put the Pirates 10-0 up.

This was more like it, felt travelling supporters, former Redruth prop Sam Heard playing soundly in his first National 1 starting role up front. However, there now developed a growing lack of continuity in the general play, muddled confusion at or near the breakdown and the kicking out of hand could have been better. This slackness encouraged Waterloo to raise their game, Cattle’s opposite number Chad Erskine also impressive on his debut for the Lancashire club, and sufficient pressure was imposed for the Pirates to give away two penalties before the break, which fly-half Stephen Nutt successfully kicked to give a 6-10 half-time scoreline.

After the interval Waterloo continued their resurgence, their courageous tackling knocking the lack lustre Pirates out of their stride. It was a lethargic display by the visitors, but they were in the lead and would surely pick their game up once more. Sadly, however, this did not materialise. Nutt kicked a third penalty and then, as the tide was still clearly changing, Waterloo came up with a try of their own, dangerous South African wing Jan ‘J Lo’ Van Deventer cutting a fine line at the end of a flowing movement to cross for a lead providing score. Nutt added the extras.

In the home pack, former Pirates hooker Peter Ince showed up well, whilst lock Rory McKay put up a man-of-the-match performance to frustrate his namesake Jim, coach of the Pirates, on the sidelines. Peter Murchie, a former Bath player who turned out for Launceston last season, was also assured at full-back.

As the half developed, the Pirates still failed to find the right formula to click into gear, despite the continuing efforts of Cattle and hooker Viliami Ma’asi

There was a glimmer of hope for the Cornish team after two penalties from Di Bernardo brought the scores level, and with lock Jon Nugent then yellow-carded now was surely the chance to regain the lead. A number of changes of personnel had been made, but it was to no avail, Nutt striking a fine penalty to give Waterloo a surprise win.

Jim McKay was very disappointed in the performance of his side, but praised the hungry Waterloo outfit who played with superb commitment, the team standing up to be counted following their defeat against Albion.

All but 5 of Waterloo's 28 points so far have come from Steve Nutts boot, 7 penalties + 1 conversion

Elsewhere around the division, results were equally mixed, with Moseley beating Bedford & Welsh running Albion close in Plymouth, it looks as if it will take a few more games before this season's performers show who they are.

Waterloo, known as the 'Drummers' will take heart from this result, for a team advertising on their website "Furniture urgently required to complete player's unfurnished accommodation. Do you have an old settee, table chairs etc. to spare." They need all the encouragement they can get

Scorers:

Waterloo – try: Van Deventer; con: Nutt; pens: Nutt (4).

Cornish Pirates – try: Cattle; con: Di Bernardo; pens: Di Bernardo (3)

Waterloo
 P. Murchie, N. Kerfoot, F. Payne ©, S. Brady, J. Van Deventer, S. Nutt, C. Erskine, D. Smith (N. Tchakoute 61), D. Palmer (D. Moon 67), J. Brandling-Harris, J. Nugent, R. McKay, S. Rowers, P. Ince (J. Ormesher 58-66), M. O’Keefe (S. Taylor 49-62).

Replacements (not used) – A. Roberts, T. Handley, J. Bronson.

Cornish Pirates
D. Roke (A. Winnan 70), L. Vinnicombe (J. Hylton 57), H. Barratt, S. Winn (D. Bell 49), J. Moore, A. Di Bernardo, G. Cattle ©, M. Evans, I.Motusaga (S. Betty 65), S. McKeen, J. Beardshaw, H. Senekal, S. Heard, V. Ma’asi, G. Anderson (A. Paver 47).

Replacements (not used( - S. Hobson, O. Hambly.

Yellow card – J. Nugent (Waterloo)

Referee – Mr. A. Small (RFU)

Attendance 425.

 

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