Last minute try gives pirates the win
By Frank Stormont
April 18 2006
Pirates win in the last minute of injury time to take 5 league table points 29 to 28. Full report!! +Photos
Not for the first time this season a game of two halves that Albion almost won but managed to be beaten in the very last second of the match when the Pirates pushed over the line to score under the posts and win by just one point. Coach Andy Williams awards man of the Match to fly half Ed Barnes for his contribution to the team.
Pirates started well and had the run of the first half and just 7 minutes into the game almost put the first points on the score board but the touch judge pointed out to the ref that the ball went forward and the try was not awarded. A short time later on their own line from a breakdown Alfie passed to Nic Sestaret who took the ball over his own line and then forced to touch down due to the Pirates attack. A 5 metre scrum awarded which was converted into a penalty for a scrumage infringement and from the resulting lineout a "power drive" with some 13 Cornish players pushed over for an inevitable try, by Matt Evans which was converted by James Javis.
While Albion were making a good attack they were spread just too thin and allowed Joe Bearman to make the interception and run from his own 10 metre line to score a try. At this point we knew that we were going to have a hard time to come back and that was nearly underlined when the Pirates charged down a kick ahead by Luke Arscott again around the Pirates 10 metre line and the third try was on the cards but for fast work by Albion defence to stop the game just metres away from their own line. A penalty given away on the 5 metre line for playing on the ground allowed pirates to pull away to 15 points to none.
Just 4 minutes latter Martin Rice from the midst of a rolling maul scored his sixth try of the season which was converted by Ed Barnes to bring the difference to just 8 points. In the 9th minute of stoppage time Albion were awarded a penalty on the half way line and just 5 metres in but after being told that it was the last play of the half Ed was given the opportunity to kick for the posts but despite having the wind behind him just missed. The players went in with a score that reflected the play on the pitch 15-7.
Within a minute of the restart Ed had another opportunity to score this time into the wind which again failed but only just missing the right post. After Alan Paver one of Pirates props was sin binned Ed Barnes was able to put seven of his own points on the board with a converted try. Regardt van Eyk also took advantage of the extra man with a try under the posts which again was converted by Ed and brought the lead for the first time (15-21).
It was nearly another 20 minutes before the scorer was troubled again and with their first good play for a long time Pirates regained the lead with a converted try. In the 80th minute of the match and the back combination of Ed Lewsey, Ed Barnes and Luke Arscott finishing off gave Albion their forth try of the match again converted by Ed bringing the score to 22 - 28. Pirates piled on the pressure and in the last play of the game and after several failed attempts managed to clinch the match with a try under the posts, converted it bought 5 league points and probably assured themselves 3rd place at the end of the season.
A very good game to watch but yet again another loss away from home.
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