Eight tries. Sixty two points (above average even by Rotherham standards this season). End to end rugby that saw the lead change hands three times as adverse changes in numerical superiority took its toll. And a game that saw no quarter given but still played in a spirit that did both teams credit overall.

Which was just as well as the one and only moment of ugliness so stood out, that Prescott's dismissal with barely ten minutes completed drew no complaint whatsoever from within Roth ranks. As the recently returned from suspension tighthead made contact with Elloway's face it was clear that this was far from any ordinary early 'getting to know you' moment. Such was the sickening needlessness of it all, that there was no hint of any post incident fracas in retaliation/defence from either team. Mr Knox had little option and the prop trudged off in no doubt of the possible recriminations to follow.

Young Daviduik took up his place, as Rob mercifully left the pitch under his own steam before being taken to Rotherham General to assess the damage to his cheekbone, eye socket and nose. I fear that is his season done and so soon after his near 'Cipriani moment' on radio the previous week, when he made clear his intention to hang around in Cornwall for a while yet.

Enough of the dark stuff.

Barely a quarter of an hour earlier, Rotherham hooker Conroy had proudly lead out his team for his 100th appearance no doubt determined to halt a run of five defeats that had sucked the Titans dangerously close to the drop zone. The Yorkshiremen had made only one change from the 22 that had quite inexplicably surrendered a 21-0 lead at Moseley the week before going down 21-43; that being Burrows and Skurr swapping shirts for the 8 spot.

Things begun brightly enough for them on an atypically cool calm day in South Yorkshire, although it took Whitehead two attempts in the first five minutes to trouble the scorers, no doubt wishing for a quieter than normal afternoon. It wasn't to be as Jones levelled things three minutes later to get the Pirates on the move too. 3-3

Prescott's moment of brain fade went unpunished points wise, as Jones' penalty attempt landed in the authors lap to the left of the posts as the Welsh youngster looked. Any thoughts however of the Pirates taking control with the Titans now one man down were put on hold as the hosts took the game to their opponents instead.

With former Pirate Buckley trying to bulldoze his way through, and a back three that looked more than at home with the pill in hand, it was Rotherham who enjoyed the possession and territory as they pressurised a (needing to be) resolute Cornish defence.

The pressure told as the first quarter passed, with Heard infringing once too often in Mr Knox's eyes. His departure levelled things numbers-wise, but Whitehead failed to capitalise with his second miss from three giving the scorers hope of a reprieve once more.

The Pirates however appeared to take heart from this let-off and at last made a noticeable impression, as a combination of back row tenacity and midfield vision created a fifteen minute spell that was only rudely interupted by a stray Whitehead penalty. Vakacegu in the meantime had added two tries to his seasons tally (now 11), the second after some really good yards from Cowan had made a score inevitable. Jones had nonchantly slotted over the extras both times from the touchline. 17-6.

With Heard now back on and having thanked the returning Franklin for his brief interventions in his absence, the Pirates were by now back up to full strength. Any hopes of any floodgates opening though had to be shelved, as Rotherham re-grouped with the last say of the half. Whitehead's third penalty of the afternoon reducing the deficit to only six and undoubtedly rewarding his side's notable efforts in a first period that had bubbled up nicely. 17-9.

Often, such things in rugby have a tendancy to fizzle out as the break can often diffuse momentum. Not so at Clifton Lane as, having restarted proceedings and looking to press home their advantages, the Pirates found themselves a man down within five minutes as firstly Gulliver and then Motusaga found themselves looking untidy on the sidelines.

To compound the shock the Titans had already scored their first try of the afternoon barely two minutes into play, though not without a real suspiscion of handling on the floor in the early stages of the move and with Tuohy receiving treatment for a painful knock. 17-16.

Gulliver's yellow may have been a reaction to this, but it was still a dull moment in an otherwise commendable showing for the Pirates' skipper. Less than ninety seconds later and Motusaga's industry would have to be put on hold as he was adjudged to have pulled down a Roth jumper at a lineout.

The indiscretion, when queried post match produced surely the expression of the day; an "Is it because I is black?" that diffused in a moment a decision that had turned the game on it's head.

Thus the visitors were now having to make do with only 13 on the pitch for 8-9 minutes and under increasing pressure from a Titans side that sensed a sniff of the spoils.

Cornish defence now went into overdrive and managed to survive a scare or two before finally succumbing to a penalty try as Mr Knox relented. It was no less than the Titans deserved as they now found themselves six ahead; 17-23.

Gulliver's return soon after signalled another twist to the plot and an ideal response to a tense situation. Two tries in three minutes from Daviduik and a chastened Motusaga handed the advantage back to the Cornishmen. The first coming from some good work in the lineout following a kick to the corner and a neat pass back to Darren on the blindside who went over in the left corner. Jones's conversion from the touchline (again!) was precision incarnate.

Iva's try was a more direct effort from the pack, that perhaps rubbed salt in the wounds from the counterparts' attempts not that much sooner. Rhys however scooped perhaps the easiest of his kicks narrowly wide, though surely with the wind in Pirates sails....29-23.

Moving relentlessly towards it's climax, the contest threatened one more twist to the tale as Rotherham sought to repeat their success at Camborne back in October, and to snatch a late win to break Cornish hearts once more.

Classans came devilishly close with less than five minutes left, but was adjudged correctly to have put a foot into touch. His disappointment then turned to joy as Whitehead found a gap a minute later setting up West with a golden opportunity to perhaps win it with his conversion attempt.

West missed, but with only a point in it and the Pirates to kick back to them in the process they had every hope of sorting matters soon after 29-28. Or maybe not.

Having received the restart well enough, sufficient Pirate pressure forced a kick downfield that reversed possession once more. A neat catch by Senekal and a nifty sidestep on the advancing Rotherham backline saw play encroach home territory. Patience, composure as was the order of the moment followed, and super sub Moore had little choice but to clinch all five points beyond doubt. Ed did the rest by gifting a souvenir match ball to some lucky punter in the stand and an adjournment to the bar could not have been more welcome.

Thoughts of a gentle little rematch in Robin Hood country may now be on the agenda, but real attention turns immediately to Rob's recovery and hopefully no worse prognosis than that.

Oh..and then an even bigger matter; preventing Doncaster from breaking their duck against their Cornish Nemisis!

Cornish Pirates: 34
15 M. Vakacegu 11 P. Devlin 14 B. Tuohy (Moore 59)
13 M. Ireland 12 T. Luke (Winn 54) 10 R. Jones 9 E. Fairhurst
8 M. Evans (Morgan 77) 7 I. Motusaga 6 B. Cowan
5 B. Gulliver (capt) 4 H. Senekal
3 S. Heard (Franklin 45)  2 R. Elloway (Daviduik 10) 1 P. Cook

Replacements: 16 D. Dawidiuk 17 D. Seal 18 S. Franklin 19 S. Raven 20 C. Morgan 21 S. Winn 22 J. Moore

Tries: Vakacegu 2, Daviduik, Motusaga, Moore
Cons: Jones 3
Pen: Jones

Yellows: Heard, Gulliver, Motusaga

Tries: Burrows, Penalty, Whitehead
Cons: Whitehead 2
Pens: Whitehead 3

Red: Prescott

Referee: Graham Knox (Scotland RFU)
Touch Judges: Chris Seeley, Paul Dickens
Assessor: lan Macgregor

Attendance 1523

Pix here