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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012:05:13:17:06:47 by SenorJuan.

Sad reading, but a good report, thanks.

Good report. Typo's in bold.



A terrible second half display from Bristol saw Cornish Pirates rack up what looks like an insurmountable 45 - 24 lead in the Championship semi-final. Credit to the hosts for a fine performance, but Bristol have only themselves to blame for a panicky response to the pressure they found themselves under. The first half promised so much, with both Tipuna and Otto looking to be back to their best with some good attacking play. Sadly Otto faded badly as the game progressed and Bristol were never able to recapture their initial spark or confidence.
Bristol kicked off but were quickly put under pressure by Pirates, but managed to claim the lineout and then clear back into the hosts’ half. The first scrum of the game led to a free-kick and Bristol went through several phases of play without making any real ground and then coughed up possession. However, Jon Goodridge made a great clearance down into the Pirates 22. The lineout was overthrown and James Merriman claimed the ball and sliced over for a converted try.

Pirates immediately surged back into the Bristol half but then kicked possession away to Jack Tovey. Quick recycling hereleased Fautua Otto to race into space and he unselfishly passed out to Will Helu who romped over for another converted try and a 0-14 lead. A free-kick to Pirates allowed them to launch a good attack and Bristol were penalised. The hosts chose to kick for the corner and they won another penalty at the lineout. This time they went for the posts and it was 3-14. Matthew Jones wiped out these points with a penalty of his own, only to see Cook promptly send over another kick. He narrowed the gap further with another penalty to take the score to 9-17.

Pirates tried to increase the pace of the game, tapping a penalty. Bristol, though, forced a turnover and Otto, I think it was Helu in touch Ianlooking far more dangerous than in recent games, once again broke clear only for a foot in touch to call play back. A penalty to Bristol allowed Jones to boot down to the edge of the Pirates 22. The lineout however was poorly controlled by the visitors. Otto then made another fine break that put the defence at sixes and sevens, but his final pass flew into touch. Frankly, this is a situation when he should in fact have kept going, difficult to judge in the heat of the moment.

Pirates managed to look more secure in the lineout but failed to break through determined Bristol defence. They kept up the pressure on Bristol, only to knock-on at the last. The scrum was a poor one from Bristol and it twisted round, was reset and awarded to Pirates. Fortunately Bristol managed to clear the danger despite some excellent kicking from Cook at full-back. As the half drew to a close Bristol were attacking out wide and some lovely handling from Tovey, under pressure, kept the move going but the home defence held out.

The long threatened rain finally began to fall at the start of the second half, but Pirates spirits were far from dampened and they came out looking much sharper and more urgent. Bristol's defence managed to contain the early thrusts, but were left floundering when Cook smashed into space, touched down and then converted to bring the hosts to within a single point. Pirates continued to press and excellent handling allowed them to break the first up defence, and neat chip ahead took play down to the Bristol 5 metre line. Here they forced a turnover and drove over the Bristol line; they were held up in the tackle, but the penalty advantage was being played and Cook took his side into a 19-17 lead.

Ruki Tipuna tried to get Bristol going forward with a nice jinking run and a duck beneath an attempted tackle, but his offload was well forward. Undeterred he made another half break and was well supported by Otto, Henry Vanderglas and finally Helu who claimed his second converted try of the game. Inexplicably Bristol started to play in a very loose and uncontrolled manner after this score and Pirates took full advantage as they swept forward . Rimmer crashed through for a try, once again converted by Cook.

Despite this warning Bristol continued to play in a surprisingly sloppy way, indeed almost looked panicked. Pirates fed off the Bristol errors and pushed the visiting side back into their own half. Bristol continued to struggle and a 5 metre lineout set up Doherty to go over in the corner. The conversion took Pirates into a 33-24 lead.

Bristol attempted to respond and, for a brief moment, it seemed that Tovey had broken clear out right but the pass was called forward. This was a momentary respite however and Pirates kept up the pressure. A missed tackle by Helu allowed Pointer to sprint clear and touch down in the corner. Once again the try was converted by Cook. A penalty to Pirates was dispatched to touch and the catch and drive was well executed, annihilating the Bristol pack, and Rimmer was able to hammer over for his second try. Astonishingly, the conversion was missed but still Pirates were 45-24 to the good at the close of the game.

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