On a calm and humid day the Pirates kicked off towards the Clubhouse End of the ground. Roared on by a huge crowd they were on the front foot from the start earning an early lead from the boot of the dependable Steenson after a Saints transgression.

The lead lasted just four minutes as the Saints piled back with a try for Ward beneath the posts. Everitt converted before slotting a 30m penalty three minutes later to extend the lead to 3-10. Still there was no end to the high octane start to the match and as the Pirates pack competed for every scrap of possession the Saints transgressed on their own 22m line and Steenson slotted the kick.

Spencer and Reihana briefly threatened to re-ignite the Saints offense before the home pack took complete control. A rumbling twenty metre driving maul was followed by the systematic demolition of an attacking Saints scrum on the Pirates 22m line. Moments later Winnan was denied a try in the corner only after a superb intervention from Visser. Steenson slotted a subsequent penalty as the half-time advantage hung in the balance.

With Beardshaw, Cumming and Motusaga all to the fore in the physical battle, Cracknell carrying well, and McAtee darting and sniping another home score had to come. It did after 35 minutes when Winnan`s touchline chip from deep caused panic in the visiting defence. As Diggin clearly hampered the follow-up of the Pirates full-back, hooker Rob Elloway was allowed space to slip through and touch down. A further penalty for Steenson on the stroke of half-time as the Saints infringed repeatedly brought the house down with the score at 19-10.

The visitors were a different proposition after the break and scored a try within sixty seconds as Everitt blasted over in the Scoreboard corner after a ponderous restart from the Pirates. The match was decided during the next phase of play.

The Pirates marched up to the Saints line after an excellent penalty from Steenson, claimed the line-out and camped on the visitors`s line. Mr Newitt gave them every opportunity to drive over despite the best efforts (seen and unseen!) of the Saints. With momentum failing the situation begged for the boot of Steenson but the home pack persisted and eventually knocked on. With the opportunity gone and the pressure lifted Messrs Spencer and Reihana awoke.

The Saints backs tore into the Pirates with a so far unseen ruthlessness that yielded two further tries. Diggin scored after McAtee had been isolated and turned over in midfield, before the impressive and very quick Visser blasted home in the Clubhouse Corner with fifteen minutes remaining.

Everitt then added another penalty before a rare mistake allowed Cowley to snatch his attempted chip ahead and launch a route one counter attack. Jimmy Moore took the scoring pass and with Steenson adding another conversion the Pirates were, to the delight of their fans, right back in the contest.

As chances came and went at both ends in a frantic finale it was the boot of Everitt who settled the contest in favour of the Saints as his stoppage time penalty was converted via an upright. 

Five points may have returned to Franklins Gardens but this was a scintillating contest.

Match Stats

Cornish Pirates

Winnan, McAtee (Moore 57), Devlin , Whatling (Winn 78, ), Tuohy Steenson , Bolt , Cook , Elloway (Kemp 66,), Heard (Seal 40 ,), Cumming , Beardshaw (Hobson 68) , Cracknell , Motusaga , Cowley (capt) (Gesinde 77,)

Replacements not used – Paver

Northampton Saints

Spencer, Diggin, Reihana (capt), Downey, Visser, Everitt, Howard, Emms, Ward, Stewart (Sigley 70), Browne (Short 70), Rae, Rudzki (Tupai 60), Fox, Hopley

Replacements not used – Gray, Robinson, Myler, Ashton

Scorers:-

Pirates – Tries – Elloway, Moore

                Cons – Steenson (2)

                Pens – Steenson (4)

Saints -  Tries – Ward, Everitt, Diggin, Visser

               Cons – Everitt (3)

               Pens -   Everitt (3)

My Man of the Match – Chris Cracknell (Pirates)

Referee – Dale Newitt (RFU) 

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Cornish Pirates Poll