Pritchard's quadruple helps Cornish Pirates to opening day victory

REPLACEMENT hooker Matt Pritchard scored four tries as the Pirates opened their league campaign with a seven-try victory over Doncaster Knights at the Mennaye Field.

Captain Alex Everett led the home team out which included two debutants from the start in full-back Henry Palmer and wing Josh Radcliffe, while prop Osman Dimen, who has arrived on a short-term deal from Harlequins, was on the bench.

Quick to impress, the Pirates opened the scoring in the eighth minute. Radcliffe tested Doncaster’s defence which created space for scrum-half Dan Hiscocks to lend support and breeze in for a try at the scoreboard corner. Fly-half Awel Robson converted well from out wide.

Doncaster’s Fijian wing Panaia Tagutu soon displayed guile and strength, and after a penalty award it was hooker Nathan Langdon who powered over. Australian-born scrum-half Alex Dolly was luckless with the conversion attempt.

Midway through the half the Pirates extended their lead when some excellent passing finally saw Palmer offload to wing Arthur Relton who scored an unconverted try wide out left, and that was followed soon after by a drive to the line that was finished off by hooker Morgan Nelson. Robson converted for 19-5.

Donny’s ranks included Tongan international full-back and skipper Telusa Veainu, plus former England wing Semesa Rokoduguni who partnered recent ‘Pirate’ Harry Yates in the centre. However, it was eye-catching No.8 Jasper McGuire that got Donny’s second try just before half-time. Dolly converted for 19-12.

Starting the second half with confidence, another converted try scored again for the Knights by McGuire levelled matters, but from there on it would be all Pirates. Inter-play by Everett and Nelson got the Pirates on the front foot, and after the latter left the field, to applause it was his replacement Pritchard who registered the first of his four tries. Robson was again on target with his conversion.

When the Pirates were called upon to defend and carry strongly, it was replacement Tomi Agbongbon who set the example – one followed by others. Three more driving maul tries for Pritchard followed, two of which were converted, whilst there were woes for the Knights who would first lose replacement Louie Kirkham, and late on a despondent Veainu, to the sin-bin.

Reflecting on the victory, joint head coach Alan Paver said: “It was day to be really pleased with the outcome as we had a quality side against us.

“Scoring seven tries in the match was impressive, with five coming from driving mauls from Morgan Nelson and Matt Pritchard. Credit to them and to coach Joe Walsh for the work he does in that area.”

He also added: “Ahead of the season we were delighted to keep a nucleus of our team, but at the same time identifying one or two players who could give us that little bit extra in certain areas, and we have seen that. Overall, it was a very pleasing start.”

CORNISH PIRATES: Henry Palmer; Arthur Relton, Chester Ribbons, Harry Ascherl, Josh Radcliffe; Arwel Robson, Dan Hiscocks; Alessandro Heaney, Morgan Nelson, Alfie Petch; Milo Hallam, Steele Barker; Alex Everett (capt), Jack Forsythe, Hugh Bokenham. Replacements: Matt Pritchard, Jamie Clark, Osman Dimen, Matt Cannon, Tomi Agbongbon, Will Becconsall, Joe Elderkin, Finn Love.

Tries: Hiscocks, Relton, Nelson, Pritchard (4); Convs: Robson (5); Pens: N/A.

Cornish Pirates man-of-the-match: Hugh Bokenham.