In the aftermath one official assessor was sufficiently moved to comment that this had been the worst national one match he'd ever witnessed, although was hesitant to comment as to whether his colleague in the middle had had a hand in this. We all knew what he meant and it certainly wasn't solely down to any poor refereeing.

Pirates Coach Mark Hewitt however was in defiant mood, and although disappointed at not having won more convincingly, took a positive stance in support of his team. His views may yet prove to be a catalyst in breaking a negative cycle which is blighting the Pirates progress currently, but for the time being at least, it will no doubt fall on many deaf ears as the Cornish side's indifferent form continues with worrying persistance.

The win-loss numbers may have levelled to 3 each, but the harsh reality is that neither this, nor moving up a spot in the league to 9th will have any other rivals sitting up and taking notice just yet.

Skies had been leaden from the start and with conditions forecast to deteriorate from half time onwards, the signs were ominous. Throw into the mix the uncanny parallels with a similar trip to the north west almost four years to the day all adding to the growing unease.

On that particular day at Sedgeley Park the Pirates left with their tails between their legs; a bizarre wind assisted last kick at goal proving to be the final nail in the coffin in more ways than one. That third defeat in six outings signalled the end of Kevein Moseleys tenure but did, despite a 4th league defeat a fortnight later at...Otley...precede a surge on to a fourth place finish come seasons end.

A repeat of that final standing still seems a worringly distant hope though and with some justification. It's not impossible of course, but someone had better bring a dry box of matches soon to provide the spark needed to ignite a squad visibly bereft of any real leadership; someone whose prescence commands. Beardshaws imminent return may plug that particular gap but the task will be immense.

Strangely the hosts' matchday sign outside the ground had their opponents as....Sedgeley Park...which missed most peoples eye but then quite what kind of 'sign' this was is debatable. The Tigers had come to Grove Park on Week 2 and left at the top of the table triumphant after a 51-35 try fest. On this day they were actually Exeter bound but probably wished they hadn't been!

Encouragingly the game began with a bang when after barely 3 minutes, Griffiths' quick tap penalty and vision saw the young scrum half scamper over from outside the 22 to give the visitors the ideal start. Jones, with a strong enough and gusty wind from over his left shoulder, made no mistake with the extras and in the process set out his stall for what transpired into a pretty useful personal performance to raise hopes of better things to come.

Manchester responded almost immediately but a missed penalty by Wynne two minutes later hindered their cause as the Pirates looked to capitalise instead. One or two promising attacks though came to nothing and, when a 5m attacking lineout following a penalty kick to the corner was lost, the tension so prevalant thus far this season, began to creep in once more.

The endeavour remained but as the clock now appeared to tick faster you could sense that Manchester were starting to believe. As a consequence the tide began to shift in the Reds' favour and it was they who were asking more questions of the others' defence. When it mattered the Pirates rearguard held firm, but on one or two occasions it was hellish close; most notably when McAtee and a covering Tuohy had to combine to make a try saving tackle deep in their own 22 and wide out right.

Mr Tutty officiating in his first National One game was also playing his part. With his attention clearly focussed on the breakdown he succeeded only in frustrating both sides as possession going into the ruck became something of a liability. His constant interuptions with the whistle began to grate and as a result any chance of a flowing game disappeared. With it on twenty minutes also went Senekal to the sidelines, although in hindsight he was perhaps better off out of it.

This one man advantage for the home side brought no reward however as the Pirates gradually snubbed out any threat and managed at least to regain some ascendancy as Heino returned to the fray ten minutes later. There was little success though and few if any scoring chances were created as the wind briefly picked up. Perhaps as a consequence, the normally bullet-proof lineout set piece had become a lottery. Whilst a couple of long kicks into space by Jones, who'd earlier launched a 60-65 metre gem; were caught by it's strength and carried dead.

The half not unsurprisingly petered out and when Sir finally blew his whistle with good reason, those present were left looking to the skies for some kind of divine intervention. At least the rain and stronger wind loomed all around and could then mask what was truly becoming a dire contest. Couldn't it?

But still the weather held off as the teams emerged after the break and everyone braced themselves. Only one line up change had been made, with Devlin coming on for McAtee who'd suffered a stinger, moving the so far ineffectual Ireland out onto the right wing. He was later replaced by a mended Moore whose return was warmly welcomed even if he had little opportunity to make any significant impact.

Any pattern to the game failed to materialise though much to the growing frustrations on the sidelines. With the wind behind them now it Manchester's turn to look mostly at odds with the conditions. Their try scoring opportunities dried up more or less and they turned to Wynne's boot for some kind of salvation. Twice he obliged on 53 & 68 minutes, although a third chance sandwiched between them from close to the half way line fell short.

There now being only a point between the sides at 7-6 something at last triggered a litle more urgency from the Pirates. It wasn't pretty but at least there was some spirit as the game as an entity still dragged its heels and refused point blank to get to its feet and behave.

Elloways introduction for Daviduik had done little to improve the already shaky lineout which wasn't helping matters. Seal though, on for Franklin, began to work over his oppsite number Gadd and ease that particular issue. So there was at least some hope that this particular journey wasn't going to turn into the complete nightmare.

As the hosts wilted slightly, Vakacegu at last figured in some open play and found some gaps to exploit. His attacking runs and ability to keep going forwards when challenged gave the travelling support something to cling on to.

The second try surely had to come but time was now running out to pursue what would have been a fortunate bonus point anyway. Touhy out on the left came close after another 5m lineout momentarily faltered again; he having seemingly crossed the line and been awarded a try. Confusion though reigned as Manchester were awarded a lineout of their own instead.

Manchester though were struggling to clear their line effectively and this finally paved the way for Vakacegu to claim his 6th try of the season on 75 minutes. Jones' difficult conversion attempt from wide out left and into the wind had the legs, but was marginally wide to give a pressure relieving eight point breathing space.

This left a six point gap instead, mirroring events from four years ago at Sedgeley, let alone at Otley a fortnight previously. Another potentially nerve racking finale therefore hove into view. As it was it was the Pirates finished on the offensive but without a further score despite pressing hard with the hosts now down to 14 following replacement Lloyd's unplanned early bath.

They came close but this wasn't enough. When Mr Tutty finally put everyone out of their misery the feeling of anti climax was palpable. Pirate faces spoke volumes, bewildered no doubt at having struggled to suppress a side that prior to this encounter had leaked tries for fun.

Heino's body language in particular said it all, as he stood alone for a few moments as if looking for that elusive explanation.

It won't be forthcoming for another week at least now if indeed at all. With our next opponents Rotherham arriving on the back of a couple of big wins and a creditable performance against Leeds (who minced a fancied London Welsh side at ODP), hopes for an easy return to Camborne next Sunday seem fanciful.

The Mancunians on the other hand looked disappointed with their second point which arguably could have been three more. Their spirit was indisputable but you can only feel for their plight. Despite a history stretching back to 1860, their future looks rocky as the financial constraints take a grip. The step back up to the second tier may just prove to be a step too far; and no-one in Pirate colours for sure would want that.

Post match and the rain now fell with the sort of intensity that would have dappened even Albert Tatlock's cloth cap. The Pirates travelling faithful managed at least to put their disappointments behind them and launch into some throaty renditions of all the usual supsects song wise. It brightened proceedings and entertained the locals who needed some cheering up too; bar receipts no doubt adding to that feeling.

Usually, even in defeat, the words flow right from the moment the homebound journey begins to the point where a self imposed deadline to having something online on the same evening is met. Not this time and for the first time ever and that hurts. It's nearly 24 hours after the event and only now have I been able to compose myself sufficiently, let alone any words, and publish this report.

It isn't as scathing as some may want as when all said and done these are people we call friends and to do so would be out of order. We're not after all talking about a collection of out of touch Premiership footie players whose individual monthly hairdressing bills alone would fund yesterdays hosts' for several seasons to come; such is the inequality that exists in the sporting world at present. But the frustrations and unhappiness are genuine and that isn't an easy thing to try and put a brave face on for.

I shall be listening in next Sunday as usual, and making my way to Doncaster regardless the week after because supporters are stupid like that; and besides I'd miss meeting up with some good mates. Sooner or later something will change, it has to; and I want to be there when it happens as I am due to break another camera in celebration. Headingley in February 2006 is way too long ago!

I just ask that each player who pulls on that shirt asks themselves some serious questions beforehand, rolls up them sleeves and knuckles down to some serious hard graft from hereon in. You owe to yourselves, to your employers and to the fans. Now rise to that challenge before it really is too late...You Can Do It!

Cornish Pirates: 12
15 M. Vakacegu 14 B. Tuohy 11 R. McAtee
13 M. Ireland 12 S. Winn
10 R. Jones 9 N. Griffiths
8 B. Bedes 7 I. Motusaga 6 S. Betty
5 B. Gulliver (capt) 4 H. Senekal
3 S. Franklin 2 D. Dawidiuk 1 A. Paver

Replacements:
16 R. Elloway 17 D. Seal 18 C. Morgan 19 M. Burak 20 E. Fairhurst 21 P. Devlin 22 J. Moore

Tries: Griffiths, Vakacegu
Con: Jones
Yellow: Senekal

Manchester: 6
15 B.Coulbeck 14 R.Wellock 11 G Wynne
13 C Parrott 12 S Rawlings
10 R Wainwright 9 W Runciman
1 M Gadd 2 H Platt 3 N Flynn
4 P Ralph 5 E Norris
6 M Owen 7 G Dew 8 S Moss

Replacements: 16 T Mantell 17 C Wilson 18 D Collier 19 B Lloyd 20 Lewis G 21 L Stringer 22 A Wilson

Pens: Wynne 2
Yellow: Lloyd

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