WINNING in Wales is never easy, so this was a victory to provide much satisfaction for the Cornish Pirates.

To earn a bonus point was also a plus in the Pool 4 British & Irish Cup clash, and the result keeps hopes of ultimate progression in the tournament very much alive.

The Pirates entered this game on the back of a super 65-14 points win at home to Bedford Blues in the Greene King IPA Championship, so they were naturally keen to impress once again, albeit in a different competition.

Keys opened the scoring in fourth minute with a penalty slotted by their fly-half Angus O’Brien, who was just one of more than a good number of young Dragons in the home side’s line-up.

Fly-half Kieran Hallett levelled matters for the Pirates on 12 minutes, and coping with a difficult wind he and O’Brien repeated their prowess with the boot to make it 6-6 midway through the first half.

The Pirates had the edge at scrum time but it was their hosts who scored the first try of the night under Pandy Park’s floodlights when full-back James Cordy-Redden crossed for an unconverted try.

The scoring thus far had proved a see-saw affair, and this theme continued after Keys erred to enable the Pirates to set a catch and drive. Prop Paul Andrew rumbled over for a try and Hallett also added the extra two points for the scoreline to read 11-13 at the break.

A third penalty by O’Brien restored the lead for the home side two minutes in the second period as for a spell, despite the disappointment that a further couple of penalty opportunities were missed, they played their best rugby of the game.

The Cornish Pirates had expected a tough cup battle, remembering too that they were playing against a team that is presently fifth in the Welsh Premiership, but there was a setback for the Welsh outfit when they lost the services of O’Brien because of an injury that delayed play for a spell.

A try from flanker Joel Conlon got the Pirates back on track, and ahead once more they would keep a lead right to the end.

Keys also lost skipper Scott Matthews to the sin bin on the hour, and the Pirates pressed home their advantage with a try scored by replacement prop Jack Andrew, who was keen to no doubt match the exploits of brother Paul. Hallett slotted the conversion.

Fresh legs were also being introduced, including among them Gavin Cattle, who was one of only four players involved when the Pirates last visited Pandy Park back in April, 2012. On that occasion, it will be remembered, they slipped to a narrow 20-16 points semi-final defeat. There would be no repeat.

Back to the present, on this night in Wales the Pirates were in no mood to lose, and it was another returnee, hooker Rob Elloway, who had the delight of scoring the bonus point providing try, and the fourth for the Pirates in this match by a forward.

The hosts endeavoured to get back into the match and displayed plenty of spirit. Play was also, perhaps of no surprise, a little feisty at times, and although they were awarded a penalty try, converted by scrum-half Luc Jones, Keys were ultimately denied even a bonus point as there would be no more scoring in the match.

For the Pirates the result provided a worthy present on the occasion of prop Alan Paver’s 37th birthday, and by winning with a bonus point the focus is very much back on in this British & Irish Cup competition. This coming Saturday’s visit to the Mennaye Field by Pool 4 leaders Doncaster Knights will now have added significance, and the Pirates can enter December with smiles deservedly on their faces. Sensibly, they will not get carried away, but there are at present a number of real positives to witness in this developing group of players.

The performances from the past two weekends will make the whole squad hungry for more of the same, and supporters have also liked what they have seen, so will be keen to get along to the Mennaye Field this weekend - to Kick Off Christmas with the Pirates!

Commenting after Friday evening’s game, Cornish Pirates’ director of rugby Ian Davies said: “This was a great win as it is never easy in Wales, and played in testing windy conditions it was pleasingly, for the second week running, another fine team performance.”

Cornish Pirates: 15 Max Bodilly, 14 Luke Jones (Laurence May 69), 13 Alex Dancer, 12 Rheon James (Tom Hendrickson 65), 11, Craig Holland, 10 Kieran Hallett, 9 Stuart Townsend (Gavin Cattle 58); 1 Paul Andrew (Jamal Ford-Robinson h/t), 2 Rob Elloway (Dean Brooker 69), 3 Alan Paver (Jack Andrew 60), 4 Will Carrick Smith, 5 Darren Barry (capt), 6 Joel Conlon, 7 Joe Atkinson, 8 Matt Bolwell (Chris Morgan 60).