The visitors will no doubt be keen to redress the balance then and regain a slim advantage at least, going into the final two rounds of play off games. It would be a brave soul though who would wager any outcome with confidence, as this seasons' 'business end' continues to confound it's critics; producing as it is such drama and unpredictability.

Enter stage left then, Cap'n Cattle whose early try off the back of a scrum, gave the Pirates the ideal start on three minutes; as the hosts exited their traps fastest.

Cook slotted the extras with ease; and bagged a penalty from an identical position barely three minutes later to give his team a ten point cushion before many had settled into their seats.

Bedford though weren't going to rollover as you'd fully expect and commendably responded in positive fashion; even if the final execution lacked a sympathetic final pass. Such was the Pirate defence in the first quarter of an hour too; that turnover ball at the breakdown also hindered their progress.

The Blues finally opened their account after a chippy Chudley earned an extra 10m following an infringement, when Cowan cuffed his ear for his impudence.

Pritchard got his reward and the tide began to slowly turn as Mr Kitt began to see fiendish intent with everything the Pirates tried to do henceforth. 10-3

His chats with Ward became too frequent and, even with Cattles' chaperone roll stretched to it's limit; the hookers fate was inevitable.

In the 34th minute any lingering hopes of a lasting friendship were blown away as Rowan called time. The official judging Ward's crunching tackle and wrestle for the ball, having firstly released his victim and got to his feet, as illegal.

Pritchard's penalty kick was true and any hopes of Sir remaining on Pirate supporters Christmas Card lists had been shot out of the water. 10-6

Prior to this game changing moment, the Pirates had at least given as good as they were now getting. One break by Davies off the back of deft switch by Bentley deserved more; only to be pulled back for a forward pass. For the time being however this would be as good as it got as Bedford began to be more assertive and the error count became a Pirate issue instead.

Two tries for the visitors either side of the break resulted and the one man deficit showed painfully in the score line. Fielden's kick and chase benefited from a slip by Cook. Whilst Tupai's bundle over the line emphasised the threat from Bedford's Eight in case anyone hadn't already noticed. 10-18

Ward's return warranted a hero's welcome, but with fingers seemingly smothered with a spreadable dairy product, a way back from this seemed a long way off as the hour mark came and went.

Myerscough's introduction however steadied the ship and re-assured Gulliver of his catching capabilities, even if Gillanders' attention at lineout time was; shall we say, excessive. Mr Kitt wrapped the Bluesman's knuckles with a feather and didn't even give the flanker a 100 lines.

But the Pirate locks' self belief was returning, following his glaring dropped pill with only a mere 50m clear dash to the line at his mercy. And it was his take at a lineout on the left that began a sweeping cross field move that ultimately lead to Cooks crucial try (and conversion) as the final quarter dawned. 17-18

This sent the home fans into rapture and raised noise levels once more, as another comeback in this game looked feasible.

Momentum was now back in the home sides favour. The penalty chance for Cook six minutes later, following Gillanders previously mentioned aerial shove on Gulliver, was all but dissecting the uprights before it veered at the last second to kiss the right vertical. Regaining the lead had to wait a little longer if at all perhaps.

With less than ten minutes to go, worryingly Rimmer; who'd once again shone in the engine room; limped off. It mattered not as Storer more than stood in.

Five minutes to go and the Pirates engineered another strong surge towards the Scoreboard Corner which saw a tangle of red and blue clad bodies pile over the line. Mr Kitt had as long a look as he had at a similar event at the opposite end earlier, but at least awarded an attacking 5m scrum.

Upon reset both front rows collapsed and Mr Kitt's upright arm signalled a penalty in the Pirates' favour. Cattle got the nod for a quick tap and the Big Boys arose to their feet in time to see the Welshman dive over to send the Rec into pandemonium.

Grown men embraced before embarrassedly they quickly reverted to restrained handshakes to celebrate the score, allowing the noise to abate in time for Cooks' conversion attempt. Remarkably this too rebounded off the right upright to give question as to whether this H was the one that had been blown down on Wednesday evening and been re-sited incorrectly. 22-18

Either way there was only one way for Bedford to get a result; they no doubt rueing their earlier missed kicks. But set about it they did as the clock; which had been stopped at all breaks in play, registered barely 90 seconds left.

Six minutes later and with Devlin taking his customary place in the Bin against the Blues it looked as if the man in the middle was poised to trot under the posts to give Try P. it's moment of glory. Battles lines were drawn either side of the whitewash and casualties were mounting. Surely the Pirates couldn't hold out against all the odds?

You better believe it as the initial cheers from the Town End and East Stand delivered the much awaited news to the rest of the ground. Joy and despair in bucket loads then, but pride hopefully too on such a fine advert for the Championship as the visiting Mr Burwell could have wished for.

Cornish Pirates 22
15 R. Cook 14 W. Davies 11 N. Jackson
13 P. Devlin 12 M. Ireland 10 J. Bentley 9 G. Cattle (capt)
8 B. Cowan 7 S. Betty 6 C. Morgan
5 B. Gulliver 4 L. McGlone 3 A.Paver 2 D. Ward 1 C. Rimmer.

Replacements: 16 Ryan Storer 17 R. Elloway 18 S. Franklin 19 M. Myerscough 20 T. Holmes 21 R. McAtee 22 S. Winn.

Tries: Cattle 2, Cook
Cons: Cook 2
Pen: Cook

Bedford Blues 18
15. James Pritchard 14. Luke Fielden 11. Duncan Taylor
13. Myles Dorrian 12. Ian Vass 10. Brad Davies 9. Will Chudley
1. Sam Walsh 2. Dan Richmond (c) 3. Dan Seal 4. Mike Howard 5. Alex Rae
6. Gregor Gillanders 7. Sacha Harding 8. Paul Tupai

Replacements: 16. Chris Locke, 17. Marco Cecere, 18. John Harlock, 19. Ben Lewitt, 20. Nick Walshe, 21. Liam Roberts 22. Ian Davey.

Tries: Fielden, Tupei
Con: Pritchard
Pens: Pritchard 2

Referee: Rowan Kitt (RFU)
Assistants: Michael Tutty & James Minards
Assessor: N. Higginson

Man of the Match: Gaving Cattle

Attendance: 3359