With the Pirates looking to bounce back from last weekend`s defeat at Northampton and Coventry finally having shrugged off an indifferent start to the season with two solid victories, this clash once again promised to be a tight affair.

To their credit both teams had other ideas and conspired to serve up a feast of attacking error-strewn play, gently overseen by the relaxed methods of Referee Nick Williams.

Jim McKay made nine changes to his team following the 26-10 reverse at Franklin`s Gardens whilst Coventry were delighted just to be able to field twenty-two fit players on this, their first of two visits to West Cornwall in a fortnight.

The Midlanders were off to a flying start with a penalty from from Ben Russell inside two minutes and a try for Ian Nimmo after five. A rampaging break from Hendrik Rheeders and some indifferent defending putting the home side firmly on the back foot.

Stunned they may have been but the Pirates responded with a fast-paced riposte and were back within a point in the 14th minute as former Coventry favourite, Jimmy Moore, exploited acres of space in the Coventry midfield to dash forty metres and set up a try for Paul Devlin. Ollie Thomas could not miss the conversion from right in front of the posts.

The Pirates eased home concerns even further ten minutes later as their pack began to assert itself. A war of attrition on the Coventry line was brought to an end as Ed Fairhurst flipped the ball wide through the home backs for Brian Tuohy to score his second try in three games. Thomas failed to land the acutely angled conversion and Russell dragged the scores back to within a point again as he slotted a penalty after Motusaga had been ajudged to have joined a ruck illegally.

The points scoring free-for-all continued direct from the restart as Moore mugged Kurt Johnson and the subsequent turnover allowed Cowley and Cracknell to rampage through the Coventry rearguard and release Devlin for his second score.

With Pirates skipper Tim Cowley penalised a little harshly for holding onto a ball that was clearly free to play, Ben Russell completed the scoring for the half with a well struck 45 metre penalty leaving the Pirates ahead at the break 19-14.

Once again the Pirates pressed the snooze button after the interval and Coventry were first to react. Just four minutes into the half Ben Russell sauntered through a host of half-hearted challenges, to set up Myles Dorrian for the simplest of tries. Russell converted and the visitors were back in front.

The Pirates battled to take the contest back to Coventry but despite the sterling work of Senekal, Cowley and Cracknell in particular, were frustrated by handling errors and turnover ball. Darren Dawiduik, though strong in the loose, struggled with his line-out throwing and the normally dependable Pirates set-piece was increasingly pilfered by Gillanders and Nimmo. With Vunga Lilo alos looking strangely uncomfortable at full-back, McKay gambled on a re-shuffle.

With Ollie Thomas dropping to full-back and Lilo resuming on the wing in place of Jimmy Moore; Gareth Steenson, Rhodri McAtee, Alan Paver and Rob Elloway were sent on to bolster the cause. It worked. 

Despite Paver`s cameo being cut short by injury the Pirates suddenly re-discovered the direct approach that had so troubled Coventry in the first half. With ten minutes remaining Steenson edged the home side back in front with a penalty as Coventry strayed offside on their own ten metre line.

There was still a scare in store for the Cornishmen as Kurt Johnson`s pacey break and chip ahead caused consternation in the Pirates defence. A deceptively bouncing ball and an offside decision against a supporting runner all helping the home cause.

Paul Devlin then killed the game off as he completed a memorable hat-trick at the Scoreboard End after incisive approach play from Steenson and McAtee. The Welsh flyer then put the gloss on the performance in stoppage time as Coventry lost possession in their own twenty-two, and Heino Senekal set him up having smashed a huge hole in the cover.

There was still time for a frustration-fuelled thirty man brawl before Mr Williams drew matters to a close with his cards firmly still in his pocket.

For the Pirates this was another step forward against a capable Coventry side who will surely win more than they will lose between now and April. Jim McKay`s men are again playing rugby with smiles on their faces and confidence. Once one or two more of the squad step up to the plate in terms of consistency they will be well-placed to kick on again as the team continues its development. Coventry on the other hand will be disappointed to return home pointless - they deserved something from this performance. 

Cornish Pirates

Lilo, Moore (Steenson 58), Ireland, Devlin, Tuohy (McAtee 64), Thomas, Fairhurst, Cook (Paver 58, Cook 68), Dawiduik (Elloway 58), Seal, Senekal, Hobson, Cracknell, Motusaga, Cowley (capt) (Evans 76).

Replacements (not used) - Betty, Bolt.

Tries - Devlin (3), Tuohy, McAtee

Cons - Thomas (2), Steenson (2)

Pens - Steenson

Coventry

Toft, Johnson, Sanders, Russell (capt), Kirisome (Cobden 40), Dorrian, John, Maddocks (Rimmer 49), Whitehead, Brits (Dugard 78), Gillanders, Nimmo, Rheeders (D.Hodge 76), Venter, McGlone

Replacements (not used) -Whitehall, Walls, Davey

Tries - Nimmo, Dorrian

Con -  Russell

Pens - Russell (3)

Referee - N. Williams (RFU)                       

Attendance -  3314

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