ELIOR CHAMP RUGBY

Cornish Pirates 64 Caldy 14

THE Pirates bounced back from their surprise defeat to Richmond by running riot in a ten-try thrashing of Caldy at the Mennaye Field on Saturday.

The Cornishmen saw three changes to the starting line-up as Angus Mawson, Joe Elderkin and Hugh Bokenham came in for the injured Will Becconsall and benched duo Josh Radcliffe and Tomi Agbongbon.

Also amongst the replacements was American scrum-half Karl Keane who has joined on a short-term deal as injury cover.

The Pirates were clearly desperate to bounce back from the Richmond outing, and started well with half-backs Dan Hiscocks and Arwel Robson to the fore.

The first points came shortly after the referee penalised Caldy for not releasing. From a line-out the ball was worked to the backs, and although centre Elderkin was halted just short of the line, second-row forward Josh King lent excellent to support to touchdown a try at the clubhouse corner to which Robson, with an excellent strike, added the extras.

The Merseysiders sought a response, only for the Pirates to then underline their dominance at scrum time and soon take play close to the line where flanker Jack Forsythe scored a converted try.

Caldy once again looked to respond, and this time with better luck when hooker Ollie Hearn crossed at the Newlyn Gate corner which was converted by fly-half Ben Parkin.

Harry Ascherl in possession with winger Arthur Relton on his outside.
Harry Ascherl in possession with winger Arthur Relton on his outside.

As for the rest of the half though, it was all Pirates who fully entertained their enthusiastic supporters. Skipper Alex Everett bounced off defenders to score a try, and others followed for wing Arthur Relton and hooker Morgan Nelson, with all three efforts converted by Robson to make it 35-7 at the break.

Shortly after the second half got underway, Caldy lost the services of experienced prop Joe Sproston to the sin-bin. Also, following good approach play involving Pirates’ wingers Henry Palmer and Relton, along with Forsythe, it all led to a second try scored by Relton.

Then, in the space of a few minutes, Caldy would be awarded a penalty try for the scoreboard to read 40-14, and the Pirates would lose both their centres Harry Ascherl and Elderkin to yellow cards.

Replacement prop Nathan Rushton and hooker Hearn also combined well to mount an attack towards the Clubhouse Corner, but in remaining time that was as good as it got for the Ravers.

Fly-half Arwel Robson had an outstanding game both in defence and attack.
Fly-half Arwel Robson had an outstanding game both in defence and attack.

A la Antoine Dupont in Paris the previous night, Hiscocks firstly produced a sublime nudge kick to the right, to set up a well-taken converted try by Mawson who would convert the Pirates next try scored in sensational fashion by Hiscocks.

There was still time for two further tries as replacement hooker Matt Pritchard, who recently got the match-winner against title favourites Ealing, grabbed both.

The Pirates, who are back in the play-off places, are on the road next weekend as they visit Nottingham on Sunday (4pm).

CORNISH PIRATES: Angus Mawson; Arthur Relton, Harry Ascherl, Joe Elderkin, Henry Palmer; Arwel Robson, Dan Hiscocks; Alessandro Heaney, Morgan Nelson, Alfie Petch; Milo Hallam, Josh King; Alex Everett (captain), Jack Forsythe, Hugh Bokenham. Replacements: Matt Pritchard, Billy Young, Jamie Clark, Matt Cannon, Tomi Agbongbon, Karl Keane, Josh Radcliffe, Finn Love.

Tries: King, Forsythe, Everett, Relton (2), Nelson, Mawson, Hiscocks, Pritchard (2); Convs: Robson (6), Mawson; Pens: N/A.

Pirates’ man-of-the-match: Arwel Robson.