But then this was a visit to Castle Park and what has become a traditionally tight fixture with plenty of nail-biting on the menu along with the Cow Pie. The hosts however, under the stewardship of former Pirates coach Brett Davey, haven't had the best of starts to their league programme and, right from the get-go looked to be very vulnerable in the confidence stakes.

A whirlwind start by the Cornishmen did little to ease any such issues as Brooks' kick off was returned with interest. With the pill safely gathered and secured under the impressive new stand, it was slickly transported to the far corner and over the line for what appeared to be a legitimate dot down.

Mr Taylorson thought otherwise, and quite bizarrely awarded the resulting 5m heave-ho to the Pirates...for a Donny knock on and not the 'held-up' initially diagnosed. The whiteshirted pack still puzzled themselves then promptly lost this one against the head and the home lines were gratefully cleared...briefly.

It would a good quarter of an hour before the 1700 or so local fans had a serious incursion into the Pirate half to cheer. But even then they would only witness a couple of missed opportunities by Brooks; one from the tee, the other from a drop attempt that cried out desparation in the face an inpenetrable and well drilled defensive wall.

At the other end Jones had slotted two of his three pots to date to give the Pirates a first quarter, six point platform from which surely to build. The young Welsh 7's-ster taking on the primary kicking duties from Bentley, who was nursing an abdominal strain that should have kept him from the starting lineup. This didn't quite materialise however and despite a clear gulf between the sides' performance levels, most notably in the speed of thought and reaction in all departments by the visitors. New boy and former Knights favourite Jones B can take notable credit too for picking up the reins at short notice from Captain Cattle, and doing his bit to keep things moving.

Somehow then, the men in blue managed to repel all boarders and settled for going in at the break only 3-9 down. Brooks having made it third time lucky with the boot as added time began, only to see his lifeline immediately cancelled out by Jones with a penalty following some good all round approach play. Jones too had hooked a long range effort five minutes earlier.

Any reversal of fortunes after the break looked unlikely for the hosts as the Pirates exerted pressure right from their own restart. A powerful forwards-orientated surge was initially held up over the line handing the Pirates a 5m scrum with Donny flanker Boyd binned for troubles in the process.

The pushover was thwarted by means unknown giving the Pirates little option but to try and exploit the extra man advantage out wide. Mr Taylorson however had seen something and rattled his pea accordingly as Bentley launched a long and looping pass towards the Pirates left flank and a patiently waiting Ice and Co.

The telegraphed trajectory never reached it's target and was intercepted with 70 or so empty metres ahead of the lucky recipient who quickly had company from both parties. With some desparate last ditch tackling evaded and the crowd on their feet roaring on their man Davies to score under the posts; it seemed almost embarrassing when all eyes were drawn back to the club house end.

There, twenty or so players with hands on hips waited patiently for the ball to be returned for Bentley to resume the actual game with a simple kick to the corner. The catch and drive had only one likely outcome and it was Cowan who emerged from the pile to claim his first try of the game. Albeit after a little dithering between Sir and his assistant Sharp; as the latter signalled the try immediately while the former went down the old 'held-up' route seen at the start. Mr Sharp won the debate.

Jones' conversion was sweetly struck and at 16-3 the door seemed to be opening for an emphatic victory. How often then does one find oneself cursing such complacent thought?

For five minutes or so it looked as if a further and decisive score was inevitable. Jones' break almost saw the goods delivered only to be pulled back for an earlier knock on. Pity really as his juggling catch in the shadow of the stand warranted reward. And then as quickly as success beckoned, the unthinkable loomed as Doncaster still reduced to fourteen, found some kind of momentum.

With fresh legs introduced to their pack and despite some very slow ball at times, they began to enjoy some quality time in the Pirate half. At first this manifested itself with touch being found in good positions only to see these gains negated by a quick throw in and large clearance. But whereas earlier there was no counter-counter reposte to be found, now there was.

With ten minutes of the half completed then, Donny found themselves packing down for a scrum some 10m from the whitewash. Chaos..or should that read shambles ensued, as the scrum disintigrated and replacement Kettle was left to soak up the plaudits with a try that was successfully converted by Brooks.

From being down and out only minutes earlier, a scoreline of 10-16 signalled game on. What's more, Boyd was straining at the leash to be allowed back out to play, and the few travelling fans that had managed to get; some arriving around half time after a mare of a journey from the Duchy; were nervously looking at the length of their fingernails.

Their digits though were gradually spared any abuse as with the help of some fresh Pirate legs, and this almost Borg-like ability to learn from error and 'assimilate' the opposition; calm was gradually restored.

Brits and Elloways introduction in the front row managed to stabilise the scrum once more, whilst Cook and Bright gave some youthful speed and flair to the wings just when Donny could do without. Moore moved inside to scrum half as Jones (B)s' lack of match fitness at last began to show as half expected.

The return to ascendancy though wasn't being rewarded with points that would have taken the game away from the hosts with more ease. Jones (R)s' eye was now definitely off the radar as a couple more penalty chances went begging. A pity really given his contributions in all other areas, but with the final ten minutes beckoning a try or two surely beckoned from the Pirates to compensate this shortfall.

Chances came for sure as the Pirates improved fitness and discipline levels so apparent these days began to show. A mix up in the home defence almost let Davies in for a try that would have been ample reward for a very commendable return to his former club. The home scrum too creaked as Holmes' arrival gave fresh impetus to the back row.

Having been driven back a full fifty metres from a by now rare attacking position as added time loomed; Doncaster's fate looked sealed. Lead by skipper for the night Cowan then, the Pirates pack took on the mantle of responsibilty and went in for the kill.

One or two close calls therefore passed before 'the' 5m attacking scrum was called. Thus in very reminiscent circumstances to that at Nottingham two weeks earlier, the Kiwi youth found himself with ball at feet and the line beckoning....

No other outcome was possible. Four points were at last in the bag where they should have been far sooner, and the bonus losing point for the hosts also denied. It mattered not and as if to sum up proceedings and indicate a key component to this weeks training schedule, Moore also put the conversion narrowly wide.

Cornish Pirates: 21

15 W. Davies  11 J. Moore 14 A. Havili 
13 M. Ireland   12 R. Jones  10 J. Bentley  9 B. Jones 
8 B. Cowan©  7 S. Betty  6 C. Morgan 
4 L. Collins  5 L. McGlone  
3 A. Paver  2 D. Ward  1 C. Rimmer. 


Replacements: 18 P. Andrew  17 R. Elloway  16 R. Brits  19 T. Holmes  20 R. Bright  21 S. Winn 22 R. Cook.

Tries - Cowan
 2
Con - Jones

Pens - Jones 3


Doncaster: 10

1 S. Corsar  2 S. Boden  3 T. Davies
4 G. Kenworthy©   5 G. Townson
6 A. Boyd  7 S. Grainger  8 D. Smith
9 N. Griffiths  10 J. Brooks  11 D. Flockhart  13 H. Tonga'uiha  12 B. Armitage  14 A. Wright  15 R. Davies.
Replacements: 16 T. Toke  17 S. Lawrie  18 B. Griffiths  19 A. Kettle  20 M. D'Arcy  21 A. Warnock  22 C. Briers.

Try - Kettle

Con - Brooks

Pen - Brooks

Referee: Andy Taylorson

Assistant Referees: Chris Sharp, Barry Dalby
Assessors: Allan MacGregor, Geraint Davies
Attendance 1728

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