London Irish 39, Cornish Pirates 10

On a day when the home side was ultra-keen to put on a St. Patrick’s Party display in front of their enthusiastic supporters, their strong selection for this game duly delivered.

The crowd figure of 11,671 was actually a Championship record for games played in the regular season, and despite the Cornish Pirates suffering a hefty defeat there was at the same time so much to admire in their performance.

The Pirates had made a number of changes from the side that played Jersey away in the Cup, including a return for fit again skipper Chris Morgan. ‘Morgs’ was partnered with Brett Beukeboom in the second-row, replacing Jake Parker who was selected at blind-side flanker. Paul Andrew wore the tight-head prop shirt and Dan Lee the number ‘7’, and in the backs Alex Dancer made a welcome return from injury to play alongside Nicolas De Battista.

The build up at the Madejski Stadium, Reading, was truly atmospheric, it a canvas of colour combining blue seating, inevitably green aplenty, and more than just a few splashes of black, red and white. Irish drums competing with the sound of Falmouth Marine Band’s big drum created a terrific ‘craic’, whilst an early rendition of ‘The Fields of Athenry’ also oozed passion, as it would of course later, in Dublin.

Scene set, at 2pm it was the Pirates who kicked the game off through fly-half Will Cargill.

The opening period was evenly contested, however from the seventh to the thirtieth minute it was anything but. Indeed, it was a case on one-way traffic as creating space, and using space, aligned also to a mix of skill, power and pace, the ingredients saw the home side conjure up six tries. Their first two were scored by former England internationals, namely wingman Topsy Ojo and hooker David Paice, and the third by South African lock Sebastian De Chaves. Clever-footed full-back Ben Ransom registered two, and in between there was a try scored by wing Alex Lewington. Kiwi fly-half James Marshall slotted two conversions.

Okay, not an ideal start for the Pirates, and there were many supporters who likely thought that they were staring humiliation in the face, but not this scribe. One thing witnessed this season has been a great team spirit and a willingness to give their all, for a full 80 minutes. These attributes would soon be on show once again, and it was rapid approach work by Cargill, full-back Toby May and prop Marlen Walker that took play close to the London Irish line. Then, adding excellent support, flanker Jake Parker scored in the corner. There was a feeling of that’s more like it, with a second try soon to follow. Flanker Dan Lee made initial yardage on the right, and when the ball was moved left it was centre Alex Dancer who stretched his frame to plant the ball down. He played incredibly well on his return from injury, and the two scores provided real encouragement, as did Nicholas De Battista’s try-saving tackle right on half-time which prevented former ‘Pirate’ Blair Cowan from scoring.

During the interval yet another Pirate was in action, this time in the shape of that old seadog, Captain Benbow. The good Cap’n took on Digger, a considerably younger London Irish mascot in the Poo Ball Challenge. Both had to propel an inflated giant rugby ball across the field and back, which was anything but easy. Digger was expected to win with plenty to spare, but with great credit Benbow gave his all and almost sprung a surprise.

When the second half started it was clear that the Pirates had plenty to play for. A win was out of their grasp but if they could score a couple more tries then they could at least bag a bonus point. The effort they made was truly fantastic, as for virtually all the second half they dominated possession and hammered away at the London Irish defence. Lee and De Battista in particular threatened but to their credit the home side refused to buckle. Pirates’ winger Kyle Moyle was the recipient of a particularly hefty tackle made by Fijian centre Aseli Tikoirotuma, one that all about could see coming, but for poor old Kyle himself.

As the game drew to a close it looked as if the second period would prove to be a 0-0 affair, only for London Irish to eventually make it into the Pirates half for Ojo to score his second just two minutes from the end.

That the Pirates responded in the manner witnessed was in many ways incredible. Missing certain injured and dual-registered players of recent has demanded that the standing fit have just had to plough on because a lack of personnel. Considering the vast difference resource-wise between the two sides, also added to the admiration felt.

Cornish Pirates: 15 Toby May, 14 Alex O’Meara, 13 Alex Dancer (Bar Bartlett 6), 12 Nicolas De Battista, 11 Kyle Moyle (Jack Arnott 60), 10 Will Cargill (Laurence May 57), 9 Alex Day (Mike Pope 53); 1 Marlen Walker (Luke Chapman 67), 2 Jack Innard, 3 Paul Andrew (Jack Andrew 60), 4 Chris Morgan (c), 5 Brett Beukeboom, 6 Jake Parker, 7 Dan Lee, 8 Tom Duncan (John Stevens 67).

Scorers: London Irish – tries Ojo (2), Ransom (2), Paice, De Chaves, Lewington; cons: Marshall (2).

Cornish Pirates – tries: Parker, Dancer.

Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys (RFU).

Attendance: 11,671.