Behind the success though, there is concern for a leg injury to Matt Evans that required the Pirates forward to be stretchered off shortly after he himself had replaced Tim Cowley in the second half. The worrying aspect initially was that it was the same ankle that kept him out for most of the 2004-5 season. This wasn't the case but his leg has been broken and requires surgery upon returning to Cornwall.

Conditions were near perfect for running rugby, it being dry with bright sunshine and a light breeze from the Butts Retreat end. Coventry kicked off with this breeze against them and succeeded only in seeing the ball go dead. Not an auspicious start and certainly not designed to inspire early confidence.

They needn't have worried. Some direct running with the ball by No8 Johnson, and some good handling in general, saw them boss proceedings early on and open the scoring via the boot of Ben Russell with barely five minutes passed. Coventry took heart from this and subsequently edged things for the next 10-15 minutes as both sides sought to take some kind of hold via an expansive route.

With most of the play taking place in the Pirates half, the Cornish defence seemed to have things in hand until that man Johnson broke through to score the first try of the game.

The conversion was missed, but at 8-0, the hosts were looking good for their lead and very comfortable; always a warning of things to change direction.

As if on cue, the tide turned for a while as the Pirates finally made some kind of impression and announced their prescence. Lead by Senekal who rose high to pluck the ball out of the air from di Bernado's restart, the Pirates surged forward in numbers and finally had something to build on.

Probes down both wings and more centrally were all repelled, but the Pirates had enough in reserve to re-group and press forward each time. The eventual reward being a penalty which di Bernado rightfully accepted to reduce the arrears to 3-8 and drag his team back into contention with fifteen minutes until the interval.

Coventry seemed rattled as they feared the Pirates had at last turned up. This came with due cause as the visitors dominated the next ten minutes and threatened to take complete control. Tackles thundered in and ball was being cleanly won at the scrum and lineout, something that hadn't happened consistently till now.

The real breakthrough came with 5 minutes to go in the half, as the Pirates went back to Route One and drove Motusaga over the line with 10-11 of his comrades assisting him. The score remained at 8-8 though as Alberto's conversion rattled off the upright for the first of two such occasions!

Coventry though refused to roll over and let the Cornishmen bask in their success, and caught them cold with a neat backs move which put winger Ben Toft over in the corner. This conversion was also missed but Cov's lead had been restored, possibly against the run of play of late, but deserved all the same on the balance of the half overall.

Talk on the terraces spoke of the need for Dr McKay to issue the usual stern words in the dressing room. A volunteer was urgently dispatched to the Press Gang's coach to seek a hairdryer for said Antipodean to have at his disposal if necessary.

These actions appeared to work as the Pirates emerged a different team, the breeze now against them and perhaps a little stronger. We don't like things to be easy us Pirates!

Alberto kicked off and possession was immediatley regained again via Heino. A promising attack ensued but not for the first time the ball was knocked on and Cov could take stock at the scrum. Well that was the theory, as the home pack were driven back at a rate of knots and the ball emerged on the Pirates side. Cowley took advantage of this unexpected possession and made a lot of ground. Coventry conceded a penalty and Di Bernardo kicked for the corner to maintain this attacking momentum.

The ball was won and pressure maintained to such an extent that Johnson was yellow carded for hands in the ruck. Reduced to a 7 man pack and faced with an attacking 5m scrum, things now looked very ominous for the Midlanders. Cov not un-surprisingly tried everything in their bumper book of skulduggery to halt their opponents, until at the third or fourth attempt, and with the Pirates pushing forwards at high speed, Cov brought it down for one final time.

Dan Seal and his counterpart discussed matters at length. Meanwhile, Mr Draper trotted under the posts to hand Penalty a try and present Di Bernado with the easiest of conversions to give the Pirates the lead for the first time; albeit a slender 15-13 advantage.

With only ten minutes of the second half complete, the Pirates rung their first changes. Cracknell and Vinnicombe came off to be replaced by McKeen and Barrett who was making his comeback on the last game of the season. McKeen made an immediate impact by taking the ball into contact with a lot of intent and necessitating three defenders to halt the Canadian's progress.

With the game there for the taking it was Coventry who made the next move in what had developed into a very intriuging contest. Despite being down to 14 they displayed enough ambition to force their way back up the field and apply some pressure of their own once more.

This endeavour succeeded on 54 mins when, having successfully bypassed their outnumbered pack, the ball was spun out to winger George Dixon who dived over emphatically to signal this match was far from over. This time Russell's pot found it's target to give the hosts a 5 point lead to take into the last quarter.

Late rallies and dramtic comebacks have become customary this season, almost to the point where one can set one's watch by them.

Despite this latest setback, things seemed in hand as the Pirates dusted themselves down and picked up from where they left off prior. Cowley came close only to be held up over the line and Paver too was a side step away from glory following a mazey run that took him deep into Cov's 22!.

Meanwhile, with 15 minutes to go, Cov replacement Louie Tonkin came on and almost immediately trudged back off for as he was sin binned for coming in from the side of the ruck. Fresh legs were called on in the shape of soon to be retired Nick Makin and Matt Evans to replace the ever industrious Villi Ma'asi and Tim Cowley respectively.

Once again with player numbers against them Coventry created an opening but missed a drop goal opportunity that would have put them eight points ahead. It seemed costly at the time but in hindsight that may not have been the case.

The injury to Matt Evans meant that James Inglis was introduced to the fray to add another option to the lineout and hopefully give the Pirates enough initiative. As the seconds ticked by, and with Cov struggling to win their own ball at the lineout due to over complication; the Pirates capitalised and good hands down the line put Rhodri McAtee into the corner.

Berti's conversion attempt from the touchline was superb and again put the Pirates two points in front to set up a stirring finish.

Coventry's comeback chance diminished and the Pirates proceeded to rub salt into their wounds.

A Di Bernardo drop goal attempt that would surely have sealed it hung in the air and sailed wide. Russell's hesistation with the bouncing ball allowed youngster Sam Parsons to pounce on the ball and score the all important bonus point try. It was also his maiden score in the senior side which no doubt he'll remember for some time to come. Though Alberto's conversion missed, there was now surely no way back for Coventry.

They tried to their credit, but the Pirates snubbed out both serious ventures forwards and enjoyed the icing on the cake as comeback kid Henry Barrett, was put through out wide on the right.

Once more Berti's rapped one off the posts but it mattered not with Mr Draper calling time with the final score 32-20 in favour of the visitors.

Once the formalities of the tunnels were observed it was time for the team to come over and thank the fans for all their support. Farewells were bid to the likes of Di Bernado, Ma'asi & skipper Gavin Cattle, and hands were shaken with genuine feeling. The biggest question now is what the hell are we going to do for the next three months on a weekend....?

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