After the thrilling match against Leicester Tigers many in the crowd fancied a home win. The Dragons, shorn of their World Cup stars, had other ideas and took the lead after just three minutes when hooker Steve Jones was driven over the Pirates line following an ugly mess of a maul. Aled Thomas converted.

The response from the home side was immediate as they took the game firmly to the Dragons. Full-back Adryan Winnan, who impressed all afternoon, and Irishman Brian Tuohy, on the wing in place of Rhodri McAtee, caused plenty of problems with their pace whilst the Pirates pack quickly took control of the set-piece. Frustrated by poor decision-making in the backs the Pirates had to rely on the boot of Gareth Steenson to edge within a point of the Dragons with two penalties. Having lost Tuohy with a hand injury the Pirates introduced Sam Parsons to the fray, and with the scoreline tight the Dragons broke up play at every opportunity.

Thomas missed a penalty attempt from half-way right on the interval and as the weather conditions worsened sheets of wind driven drizzle lashed the ground during the break. The Pirates began the second half with purpose introducing flanker Chris Cracknell and looking to inject some pace into the contest. It nearly paid early dividends but a promising attack ended with possession turned over, and a well taken try at the other end for Gareth Wyatt. Again Thomas converted.

With the Dragons still desperate to slow down Pirates possession strong officiating was called for. It never came and Tim Cowley was lucky to escape serious injury when dumped in mid-air whilst jumping in the line-out. Jim McKay introduced fresh legs to maintain the Pirates grip up front and after 56 minutes the home side hauled themselves back to within a point of the Dragons following a bizarre try for Centre Paul Devlin.

As the ball flew out of the back of a Pirates scrum at a wicked angle Devlin was first to react to the vicious bounce. Helped by a deflection from an onrushing Dragon he stole possession back and charged home in the corner dragging three tacklers with him. Steenson slotted a difficult touchline conversion and the comeback was on.

The aggressive Nick Buckley then joined the fray and immediately seemed to relish the physicality of the battle. Again the Dragons took the heat out of the contest and with ten minutes left sealed the victory after another Pirates turnover. Prop Adam Black led the charge with two outrageous side-steps and as the ball was spun wide a large overlap allowed Ben Daly to sprint home. Again Thomas converted and the Dragons hung on for a hard fought victory.

Afterwards both Pirates Head Coach, Jim McKay, and Assistant Coach Mark Hewitt declared themselves pleased with the pre-season workout against two tough opponents. With the squad in good physical shape and everyone likely to be fit for selection against the Cornish All Blacks on September 1st, the battle of Polson Bridge looks like being a match not to be missed.

Teams:

Cornish Pirates

Winnan, Tuohy, Devlin, Whatling, Moore, Steenson, Bolt, Cook, Elloway, Seal, Cumming, Beardshaw, Betty, Motusaga, Cowley (capt)

Replacements (All used) – Dawidiuk, Williams, Heard, Hobson, Williamson, Gesinde, Cracknell, Buckley, Parsons

Try – Devlin

Con – Steenson

Pens – Steenson (2)

Newport Gwent Dragons

M.Thomas, Wyatt, Chapman, Smith, Fussell, A.Thomas, Williams, Black, S.Jones, R.Thomas, Charteris (capt), A.Jones, Harris, Ringer, Bearman

Replacements – Daly, Lyons, Robinson, Lydiate, Maule, McCarthy, Evans, Crawford, Dolman, Mustoe

Tries – S.Jones, Wyatt, Daly

Cons – A. Thomas (3)

Referee:- Chris Sharp (RFU)

Attendance :- 2398

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