A Pirate's Tale
By Peter Creek
February 6 2007
Friday’s EDF National Trophy tie between Tykes and Cornish Pirates is a match fit to grace Twickenham. The two best rugby sides in Division One would probably have preferred to meet later on in the competition.
That is not to be and Pirates fans must now see Friday as their last chance of getting one over on the team who pipped them by a point at Headingley earlier in the season and who were unlucky to only draw at Camborne in the return fixture.
Since that game back in December both side have had a wobble in form but the last few weeks has seen them return to the style of rugby which could make Friday’s tussle an epic encounter. Since a home defeat to Plymouth shattered the myth of “Fortress Cornwall” the Pirates have re-established themselves as the top guns in the southwest. Tykes consistency in the league has masked an inconsistency in their play over eighty minutes. Capable of breaching any defence, seemingly at will, they have developed a predisposition to doze off for long spells during a match. Fortunately for them no-one has had the class to take advantage of their slumbers and the upside is that the defence has shown itself to be formidable.
Last Sunday’s fixture against Bedford Blues was a classic example of the bipolar performances that Leeds produce. After half an hour with the bonus point secured Bedford were there to be put to the sword but it was late in the second half before the Tykes crossed for their fifth and final try.
If the form book is anything to go by then Friday’s game will be close. After almost three hours of rugby this season the sides are separated by just one point. Both sides can attack from anywhere on the pitch and each team contains potential matchwinners. In Alberto Di Bernado the Pirates have the best no 10 in the Division who is also it’s leading points scorer and the prolific try scorer Rhodri McAtee in the centre. Tykes have a pack which has shown that it has try- scorers in every position and the key to any potential success is, as ever, how the backs link up with them. If Tykes are to prosper then Richard Vasey will have to give another confident performance at fly half and get his threequarters into the game at every opportunity. Biggs, Hepworth and Snyman are all capable of converting good possession into points.
So who will win? This could well depend on which Leeds team turn up on the night. If they want it they can take it. If they are somnolent then Pirates will steal it. The winner of this tie will win the competition outright on Saturday 14th April. My heart says Leeds but the head says it is too close to call. Perhaps there is still a sting in the Pirates’ tail.