Indeed as the teams took to the field the rainfall had increased and threatened a good deal more to come as the skies darkened ominously

Both sides came into this fixture with the same agenda; namely to win, but for completely opposite reasons. Pertemps were looking to build on last weeks comfortable home win over local rivals Coventry, having seemingly come through their much publicised off field difficulties. By so doing they could potentially pick up from where they had left off, and look to finish strongly in the top half of the division, where their early season form had suggested was possible.

The visiting Pirates on the other hand looked to put their defeat to Plymouth a week previous behind them, and set about recapturing the consistency that has gradually evapourated since they'd gained the top spot at Rotherham in November; and seen them slip to fifth as a consequence.

The Bees kicked off towards the club house, and set about testing the Pirates straight away with a low, bouncing ball that was capably handled and cleared.

This though, did little to settle the visitors' early nerves, as an early knock-on soon after handed the Bee's the initiative. Bouyed by this, the home side set about applying a clear and simple game plan, looking to ship the ball quickly into their three-quarters and then kick behind the Cornish defence. With conditions as they were and keeping feet on ground nigh on impossible and getting worse, they certainly looked the most threatening at this stage.

But for a slightly over hit cross field kick by Higgins to his right, and for a well timed challenge by Roke on the opposite touchline shortly afterwards, the Bees deserved better as the first quarter passed without any score. This was in no small way down to some resolute Pirates defence, lead by an impressive Roke at full back, and backed up with some good clearances by di Bernado.

With this firm platform at the back, at last the Pirates began to find their way out of defence and make some inroads into Bees territory. For the first time in the game they looked dangerous themselves with Cattle feeding a more confident looking di Bernado who varied his strategy wisely, and secure in the knowledge that both Bell and Barratt would punch the necessary holes. One such promising move was thwarted and resulted in a penalty which di Bernado narrowly missed from 40m or so to the right of the posts as he looked.

For a moment the wind was taken out of the Pirates sails and the Bees pounced instantly. Working their way quickly back up the field, a neat kick through by Goodridge diagonally to the left, was met perfectly by Nuthall to wake up the scorers who'd had nothing to do for half an hour or so. The conversion by Davies was missed, but the Bees were now deservedly leading a very closely fought game that, although not pretty at times, was producing a higher level of skills; particularly in the handling department, than could have been reasonably expected.

The Pirates though were not to be panicked and set about finishing the half the stronger team. One superb attack down the right that was begun with a neat side step and direction change by Roke around half way, was only halted 5m out by a last ditch tackle on Barrett that saw him bundled into touch. The Bees cleared their lines this time but the writing was on the wall.

A kick through into space on the right by Di Bernardo wrong footed the home defence and created exaggerrated chaos close to the try line due to the conditions. The full back slipped and Cowley responded quickest to pounce on the loose ball and score, much to his team-mates and the noisy contingent of travelling fans delight.

The relief was palpable as di Bernardo made no mistake with the conversion and give the visitors a narrow 7-5 lead as half time approached. The remaining 2-3 minutes continued in the same vein with the Pirates now edging proceedings for the first time as they finished the first period in the ascendancy.

In recent times, the Cornishman have been noted for better second half performances and duly obliged once again having emerged from the changing room now resplendant in a clean black and red strip; the brown (white) change strip having been dumped into the laundry basket for some hapless soul to apply the Daz or whatever!

Pertemps had done similar with their sodden all brown (black) shirts which had perhaps rather hopefully been swapped for a predominantly gold strip. A status that wouldn't last for long for sure!?

A fumbled restart by the home defence instantly put them on the back foot. The ensuing attack was only going one way and finished with a spectacular 14 man driving maul. Cowley emerged from the pile of bodies to claim the score and give the Pirates some breathing space. This was increased by Di Bernardo who dutifully added the extras to make the score 14-5 in the visitors favour.

For the time being it was now all Pirates as they sought what surely would be a crucial and game winning third score. Pressure mounted as the Bees found themselves under the cosh but at least able to repel everything the nearer it got to their goal line.

In time and with the help of some fresh legs, the hosts did manage to break the siege and threaten once more themselves. Their only reward though was a Davies penalty which bought the deficit down to less than a single score, and make for a very absorbing final quarter.

The Pirates too made some changes with Ma'asi and Seal coming on for Makin and Heard respectively. The latter suffering a knock which briefly halted play, though happily didn't appear too serious.

Their introduction did little to disrupt the team's pattern as they set about the task of taking the game beyond the Bee's reach. Further changes with Cracknell coming on for Cowley and Evans for Motusaga if anything gave extra impetus and a sequence of 5m scrums followed.

Time and again the Bees held firm bar one pushover attempt which appeared to have succeeded. Mr Draper thought otherwise and the home side finally eased matters with a hopeful clearance that turned into attack. Memories of the Plymouth game must surely have flooded back as once more the Bees started to look menacing.

The Pirates defence though dug in and responded heroically as two massive catch & drive attempts were repelled impressively, and appeared to snub out any final belief by the homeside of a late score to snatch victory. This was confirmed when the final nail was hammered home five minutes from time when the Pirates once more marched up to the Bees 22 and won a penalty which di Bernado gratefully accepted to take the game out of reach at 17-8.

With the game now in the bag, Winnan and Moore were given a run out in place of Barrett and di Bernado who was by now sporting a nice lump on his head from an earlier collision. Both were involved in the thick of things as the Pirates finished the game still going forwards and consequently left the pitch indistinguishable from their team-mates.

A hard fought win then and certainly not a glamourous one. It could though be crucial one that like Doncaster three months earlier, proves to be a turning point. The Pirates will surely look to repeat and improve on their autumn form, and builiding up the winning mindset once more for the run in to seasons end. With Leeds losing at Rotherham and other top teams still to play each other, it's all to play for once more!

The Bees will be disappointed for sure, but after everything they've been through recently there is surely hope of better things to come.

But then in conditions that were nothing short of appalling, this was a game to appreciate for it's hard work ethic more than anything else, with both sets of players deserving of a huge 'pat on the back'.

TRAVELLING RESERVES: Tom Rawlins Rod Petty (Water) Kyle Palm(Tee)

Try: Nuthall
Pen: Davies

Pirates 17
15 D Roke, 14 R McAtee, 13 H Barratt, 12 D Bell, 11 J Hylton
10 A Di Bernardo, 9 G Cattle (capt),
1 G Anderson, 2 N Makin, 3 S Heard, 4 H Senekal, 5 J Beardshaw,
6 S McKeen, 7 I Motusaga, 8 T Cowley
Replacements: 16 J Moore, 17 A Winnan, 19 C Cracknell, 20 M Evans, 21 V Ma'asi, 22 D Seal.
18 S Winn (not used)

Tries: Cowley (2)
Cons: di Bernado (2)
Pen: di Bernado

Referee: Richard Draper
Touch Judges: Terry Hall, Steve Savage

Article Links: Pix | Albion Plunder the Spoils