Pirates 17 Mose 14

[grooveavenue]

Watched on Pirates TV at home.

Conditions never allowed open flowing rugby with a massive easterly wind across the ground - familiar territory! Kicking for any ground nigh on impossible in second half and the swirling made it really difficult for Ollie T to get anything. The Pirates had the same problem in the 1st half.

Mose Pack was very good taking on most of the work and gaining us metre after metre. In open play however we spent a lot of the time playing square and losing ground that the rucks and pack got us.

We had a high percentage of possession/territory and spent a massive amount of time trying to make ground. Quite often all the good work was spoilt by poor handling and knock ons.

I really thought that with the pack domination we looked set to pushover for a second time or be awarded a penalty try or penalty in the latter stages to draw or even take the points. Not to be but I think Pirates were happier to hear the final whistle and I really believe Mose will feel that there was something more than a losers bonus in this one.

However, a lot better outcome that I was anticipating. We are improving match on match and there were a number of huge performances and there is strength in depth in the full match day squad.

Look Out Brizel!

[Westcountry Mose]

Every point counts and a losing BP away at Pirates keeps us above the bottom two. Good work guys.

[Gerald the Fish]

Well done lads. A great performance today, and one that sends out a message to Bristol next week. We were on top of that game in so many ways and apart from one line out mistake which allowed them to kick the ball 50 metres and score a try, we would have won. ONE MISTAKE AAARRGGH. Still it's more than many would have given us, and Doncaster will be gutted because they will have wanted Pirates to have rolled us over completely. I think we should take confidence from this come back to Billesley and beat Bristol. Come on Moseley.

[John]

Well done Mose. That losing bonus point will be massive for us!

[nev2214]

Cornish Pirates match report

Bushes don’t need beating around. This was not the prettiest of games, as all present at a raw and very blustery Mennaye will attest. But, given a run of three straight Championship losses for the Pirates, a win of any kind will suffice.

Ashley Smith’s four minute brace in the Newlyn Gate Corner, in the home side’s only real period of dominance after the break did the damage. Which in the process, no doubt left the Midlander’s ruing their costly indecisiveness, as the Pirates lock Johnson was left clicking his heels for ten, after battle lines had been drawn just prior.

A few tentative smiles were therefore forthcoming as the Cornishmen prevailed, and despite everything Mose’ could find in reserve, in a nervy final ten minutes where the Pirates defence; which had been ferocious all afternoon; held firm. Not even any ‘kitchen sinks’ in the shape of Dickinson could breach the home 22, and offer the chance of even yet another draw.

The visitors had arrived too, with real belief of a first win on Cornish soil; well aware that their hosts’ confidence would be on low setting. There was also the rather sad incentive for great deeds, as we all shared their loss for sixty seconds prior to kick off; and the passing of former player, and club director; Alan Adam.

And so it seemed from the moment former Pirate, Thomas, began proceedings towards the Newlyn End with the elements predominantly at his back.

A fine break from deep by Evans upon gathering Ollie’s starting kick, gave little indication of the pressure that the visitors were to assert early on. They came close; painfully close; to opening the scoring with less than three minutes chalked off as the Pirates whitewash beckoned. Only a well-judged Thomas penalty ten minutes later rewarded their efforts however, as the home defence utilised their kitchen furniture more effectively.

As if to signal the eventual outcome, the Pirates responded with their only significant moments of possession soon after, to create an opening for Evans to dot down once more in the Scoreboard Corner. Penberthy’s attempt at the extras fell victim to the ‘breeze’ howling in from Ludgvan, but crucially the Pirates had their noses in front without really having had their hands on the ball.

Moseley picked themselves up pretty quickly though and regained their ascendancy, if by now with little significant penetration. But they did earn Thomas an identical chance for three as the second quarter began, to once again lead and deservedly.

This though was as good as it got as play evolved into something more attritional and not particularly pleasing to the eye. Other than Johnson’s indiscretion with just over five minutes of the half remaining, and the set-to that lead to it; there was little to warm any cockles for either side. A wind assisted miss from the tee for Penberthy helped little either. Steaming tea was the only sensible course of action.

With warmer hands one hoped, play resumed with the Pirates no doubt wishing the elements may now play into their favour.

They had to wait nigh on ten minutes however, as Moseley once more tried to press home their one man advantage. With Johnson prowling on the touchline awaiting the nod to return, all that came their way was another finely struck penalty by Thomas, as a Pirates scrum buckled for once and Tanner’s head popped up as a consequence. The only blot on the young hooker from Bath’s copybook, on an otherwise assured afternoon.

Four points down, but by no means out of it, the Pirates at last took charge of the pill and looked the sharper for it. A charge by Marriott into the Moseley 22 provided the required spark, as the back row reacted quickly to being awarded a free kick from a scrum.

Caught on the back foot, Moseley were in an instant under pressure and were fortunate that Lyons was adjudged to have been held up in the Old Western National Corner. But it was only a matter of time, as Marriott once more took the initiative off the back of an attacking scrum; which ultimately saw the pill delivered the width of the pitch, for Smith’s first try as a Pirate.

Aaron’s excellent touchline conversion only added to the feel good factor and the whole complexion of the game had altered.

Quick thinking from Cattle moments later, with a tap & go in front of the posts, as most sensible commentators screamed for the kick for goal; maintained the momentum for the young winger to double his tally. Penberthy couldn’t repeat the feat however from the same spot, as a sack of spuds laboured its way across the sticks.

It mattered not or so it seemed, until the home defence made a real hash of the restart to hand Moseley a gift of a chance to rejoin the contest. With the big guns having been introduced, Waller’s try in the Scoreboard Corner had inevitably writ large, as a Moseley maul rumbled forwards. Ollie’s conversion mirrored Aaron’s and, with it now a three point game; collective breaths were held.

Ten minutes later and the sighs of relief were palpable. Despite results elsewhere, the win itself will likely not contribute to the season extension the Pirates have become accustomed too. However a ‘W’ of any kind will be welcomed as a confidence boost if nothing else. A week off to allow attentions to centre more on the Principality can only be a good thing too.

[tonyd]

Sums up the game very well. If not for unforced handling errors we could have won. For long periods we were pressing in their half but just couldn't get over the line in the first half to push our advantage home. A mad few minutes where we conceded two tries but after that we were again pushing forward well against the wind but just as it seemed we were making ground and could break through we made handling errors or were holding on which caused turnovers.

Must admit it was extremely cold there with that strong wind!! Even above the wind though the Moseley support could be heard and I hope this helped the team.