By Dick Straughan
January 22 2007

The Pirates eased into tomorrow`s fifth round draw in the EDF Energy Trophy with a comprehensive 8-try demolition of Division One strugglers Moseley at Camborne this afternoon.

Pirates Demolish Moseley

Sunday 21st January 2007 Pirates 48 - Moseley 0

Story Dick Straughan - Pix Big Brian

The result was just reward for a Pirates team so often criticised of late for failing to turn possession into points, as their second half onslaught left the visitors from the Midlands reeling.

As expected Pirates Head Coach Jim McKay made changes to his starting line up for this cup tie recalling Lewis Vinnecombe on the wing in place of Jonny Hylton, whilst the fit again James Inglis allowed Heino Senekal a breather, and Rhodri Wells came in at scrum-half in place of Gavin Cattle to make his full debut. Tim Cowley was awarded the captaincy and gave a barnstorming display of leadership that justifiably earned him the man of the match award.

Moseley kicked off on a cold, breezy Camborne afternoon beneath blue skies and bright sunshine attacking the Clubhouse end of the ground. They lasted just seven scrappy minutes before they went behind. Tim Cowley broke down the left touchline and flipped the ball inside to the supporting Wells who gave himself a dream start with a simple score.

Rhodri Wells Dream Start

Anyone who expected the floodgates to open at this point was disappointed. Moseley`s strong line out secured sufficient possession despite being pegged back by a steady stream of Di Bernardo touch-finding howitzers, whilst their aggressive midfield defence denied the Pirates backs time and space to operate in.

Indeed the scoreboard operators had nothing to do other than try to stay warm for the next half an hour as the Pirates` manic desire to over-complicate simple moves defeated them time after time.

Only the marauding Cowley and the sniping Wells carried a serious threat until Moseley`s pack creaked once too often and lock Paul Arnold was banished to the bin for pulling down a driving maul. Within minutes the Pirates pack had destroyed a defensive Moseley scrum, Wells stole possession and launched a sharp passing movement that put McAtee in at the corner. Di Bernardo added the extras with a sublime touchline conversion. Moseley full-back Thomas then missed a penalty from half-way at the restart and the Pirates went in at half-time 12-0 to the good.

Tim Cowley Skipper & Man of the match

Arnold`s continuing absence was to cost Moseley more points straight from the restart as their pack hesitated at the kick-off. Motusaga stole the ball and the Pirates recycled it and set up an unstoppable driving maul on the Moseley 22m line. The Pirates pack bulldozed forward with relentless power and Duncan Bell claimed the try. Minutes late Motusaga was on hand to profit from the same tactic, and when Steve Winn was handed a simple touchdown after a midfield break the Pirates led 29-0 with half an hour still to play.

The Pirates pack bulldozed forward with relentless power

Both Coaches chose this moment to make changes. The Pirates not only welcomed back Alan Paver and Duncan Roke from injury but rewarded rising stars Scott Hobson and Darren Dawidiuk with some valuable game time. And Dawidiuk it was whose over the shoulder flip to Iva Motusaga set up the game`s champagne moment in the 62nd minute as a sublime close quarter passing movement brought about their sixth try.

Moseley continued to fight hard but too often turned over ball in attack only to see the thumping boots of Di Bernardo and Winnan drive them ever backwards. When they were driven to a man off their own ball at a 5 metre scrum Centre Paul Cox was left to field the ball behind his goal line. He missed it and Rhodri Wells gleefully claimed his second try of the afternoon. Di Bernardo stroked home the conversion and if this had been a boxing bout the Referee would surely have stopped the fight.

But fight on Moseley did, literally. An ugly confrontation between both packs deep in Pirates territory saw Pirates replacement prop Sam Heard punched to the floor and a feisty melee break out. Once order had finally been restored Mr Phillips inexplicably awarded Heard a straight red card and handed Moseley a penalty. It was a decision that only galvanised the Pirates further and when the sprinting James Aston threatened a late try for Moseley he was not only tackled head on by the slight figure of McAtee, but driven back ten yards and dumped.

Rhodri McAtee then completed the scoring with his second try after a majestic break from half-way by Winnan and a brief cameo from the marauding Cowley. Di Bernardo popped over his fourth conversion and the job was done.

PIRATES:-
Winna, McAtee, Winn, Bell, Vinnicombe, Di Bernardo, Wells, Cowley (c), Motusaga, Cracknell, Beardshaw, Inglis, Seal, Makin, Anderson, REPS:- Cattle, Roke, Hobson, Paver, Heard, Dawidiuk, Evans

MOSELEY:-
Thomas, Coniff, Holder, Cox, Aston, MacDonald, Knight (c), Daniell, Mason, Evans, Hadley , Arnold, Bayliss, Caves, Coles, REPS:- Lea, Buxton, Moran, Bignell, Lightowler, Hunter, Binns

Referee:- Richard Phillips (RFU)