Villi Grabs the Glory and gives Newbury the Blues

The Wreck
By woll & woll jnr
January 15 2007

Wow! What a finish as Ma'asi goes over late on to snatch a merited win at Newbury...with the help of some immense Cornish support on and off the pitch. From the 60's onwards, and until the Taylor report changed the face of stadia in the round ball code, the Kop took credit for 'sucking' in numerous goals at Anfield for their beloved Liverpool.

Today at Monks Road the travelling Pirates faithful can take credit for their efforts to assist a dramatic late try by Villi Ma'aisi, to deservedly take the points against a determined Newbury.

On a more pleasurable day to watch a game of rugby of late; and with a pitch a credit to the work of the groundsman if a little heavy; it was Newbury who kicked off with the gusty wind on their backs. The Pirates gathered the ball cleanly and ran it back at the home side. In a flash, a clear run to the line beckoned for Di Bernardo for the perfect start, until Mr Roberts called everyone back for a Pirates transgression (?!) giving Walsh the chance to pot a penalty for the hosts instead. His left foot struck it sweetly and it dutifully sailed between the uprights to give the home side the first points of the afternoon.

This good start gave Newbury sufficient confidence and they continued to apply some pressure in the Pirates half from the restart. For all the possession though, the Blues couldn't find the answer to successfully unlocking a well drilled and fired up Pirates defence.

On 10 minutes Newbury were handed an advantage and Walsh attempted a drop goal knowing a penalty would follow if unsuccessful. The ensuing kick for the corner says enough, but did though allow the home side to apply some further pressure, though their lineout, which too often faltered in this first period was only just won. Consequently the ball from it wasn't so quick and found it's way to a hapless centre whose next recollection would no doubt have been blurry. Di Bernardo read the situation perfectly and executed the tackle of the game,forcing a penalty and allowing the Pirates to clear their lines.

This huge hit signalled a change in fortunes as the Cornishman, inspired by their Italian/Argentine talisman began to stamp their own mark on this match.

The pack as always did the hard stuff and began to grind out some good ball in the face of some fierce opposition. At times at the breakdown this aggression was a little too excessive though, and was fortunate not to attract any attention from the officials even when on more than one occasion, four or more Blues players felt the need to 'tap dance' on their Pirate counterparts.

In response, the likes of Senekal and Beardshaw just offloaded that bit quicker whilst still on their feet and create more space for Winn and Bell to exploit instead. The knock on effect was to bring Hylton and McAtee into the game more and more,which is never a good thing for the opposition. Their involvement began to turn the tide and give a very strong contingent of away support plenty to cheer about even if the points just wouldn't come.

That was until the mid half mark when the Pirates had a solid case for a penalty try after McAtee chipped through and chased, only to be cynically tripped en route to a certain score. A long discussion between the referee and his touch judge followed only to see the Pirates awarded a penalty and a verbal warning to the culprit.

Di Bernardo slotted the penalty and levelled the scores at 3-3.

Scant reward for some enterprising play, but it did at least justify their willingness to pass the ball around and give the Blues plenty to think about.

Now on level terms, the Pirates stepped up a notch and seriously began to turn the screw with some well worked moves to set up camp in the Newbury half, and begin a period of ten minutes of intense pressure.

Newbury; but for some resiliant defence at times held on, but did themselves no favours with a lineout that opted to ovecomplicate at times, and was mercilessly disrupted by the Pirates.

The Pirates best chance to date then came, when McAtee collected a deep clearance and set off on a long, mazey run which took him and his team close to the Newbury 22, and left several players in his wake. In hindsight, one more side step may just have been enough. Rhoddri's pass was wayward, but the Pirates kept possession and the move alive, until Di Bernardo was held up less than 10 metres out.

Things came to a head with a series of 5 metre scrums which ultimately came to nothing as the Pirates looked to shove the Blues over their try line. The third attempt nearly did, but Cowley lost control at the crucial moment and Newbury were awarded the put in and successfully cleared their line.

Again the Pirates came forward only to see their efforts destroyed by a sucker punch as Newbury stole possesion and break out of defence. The initial surge was stopped about 5-10 metres short of the Pirates line, but the ball was recycled quickly, and Tim Walsh dived over for the try against the run of play. Walsh also converted to give the home side a 7 point lead, and seemingly allow Newbury to think this would be secure till the break.

The Pirates had other ideas!

Obviously annoyed at this turn of events, the Pirates returned the ball intent on only one outcome. The try was inevitable as Di Bernardo punted into the Blues 22 with McAtee in hot pursuit. The Newbury defender seemed to have gathered the ball but knocked on (twice) as he tried to regain his feet; McAtee biding his time perfectly in close attendance. Some quick thinking by the Welshman flicked the Ball to Winn behind him and from so close in there was only one outcome, with Steve going over in the corner.

Di Bernardo succeeded in adding the extra points to bring the scores level once more at 10-all as half time was called.

For the second period the Pirates made only one change as Chris Cracknell takes to the field to join Bell in the fray against their old club-mates. Stan McKeen making way in the process.

The Pirates began the second half and immediately picked up from where they left off in the first, with some precise movement forwards which only just fall short. A combination of either a wayward pass, or some infringement or other denying them an early, and surely decisive score. Even so the Cornish Pirates kept searching and won themselves a penalty with only five minutes of the half elapsed in a very kickable position. Inexpicably, Alberto missed!

The warnings about these missed opportunities appeared too, in particular with an interception by Rees which almost undid some good work by the visitors once again. The home side's right winger intercepted a pass and came within a whisker of setting up a try similar to their first, but this time the Pirates rallied and made their way back into the Newbury half.

This venture forward presented Di Bernardo with a chance to atone for his earlier miss, and as is the nature of the beast, he casually stuck the harder kick from an angle with ease, to give the Pirates the lead for the first time in the match; 13-10.

Soon after this penalty, Anderson went into the blood bin to be replaced by debutant Peter Joyce on loan from Redruth. Reassuringly he equipped himself well, being called upon from the off and ably seeing off the threat from Newbury's tighthead, Bruce.

Newbury though sensed something was there for them and their backline started to look the business as the hour mark approached. This pressure told when Di Bernado suddenly found himself on the wrong foot and with little time to make a clearance. His decision to kick was the best, and perhaps only option and almost paid off; only to be well charged down and present the hosts with a clear run to scamper over to take the lead.

The extras were spurned with a wayward kick into the wind by Walsh, but with the match now 15-13 in the Blues favour, the last quarter posed a mouthwatering prospect.

The replacements started to come into play as most cards by both sides were played for the final push. Evans came on for Cowley, while Anderson came back from the blood bin and replaced Dan Seal. Ma'asi came on for Makin at hooker.

Urged on by their vociferous support, the Pirates gamely set about righting this latest setback and started pushing for the winning score. It was a risk strategy and allowed Newbury to also look to pick up the pieces if it all went pear shaped; which on one occasion it almost did, but for some stern Pirates defence in recovery.

Even so, it was the Cornishman who looked the most likely to achieve the decisive score. Wave after wave of promising attacks came to an end, with McAtee and Di Bernado closest to breaking through. Time though was ticking relentlessly by with no reward and not for the first time of late.

A crescendo of noise built despite this and it increasingly became a case of when not if, as the visitors found extra inspiration from their support.

With 10 minutes to go, Seal came out of the blood bin and replaced Pete Joyce who had done well while he was on the pitch.

The scene was now set for a grandstand finish even though injury time loomed. A dangerous break by Di Bernardo set pulses racing only to be subdued momentarily by an adjudged knock on in contact to give concern that the chance had gone. Newbury were awarded a scrum but didn't win the ball cleanly meaning Walsh was put under pressure to clear his lines.

The lineout to the Pirates thus set up what could be a final roll of the dice for them. Some good work by all concerned moved the ball tantalisingly close to the Newbury line. Cornish support understandably increased vocally as they urged their team for one final immense effort, which is where the 'Kop Effect' kicked in.

Newbury halted progress inside the 5m line which set up a good old fashioned push and shove with most of the players eventually becoming involved, desparately trying to influence the outcome. For a moment, Newbury seemed to be winning the scrap, but with the travelling fans behind them, the Pirates edged things agonisingly back towards the goal line.

Time seemed to stand still as the maul inched slowly forwards and under the posts; and then joy as Mr Roberts raised his arm and signalled a score. Villi Ma'asi was later awarded the try but the game was now won as Alberto completed a fine afternoon by him personally to take things out of reach to a clearly deflated home team, and raise the score to 20-15.

From this point, the Pirates never looked like losing it as the final couple of minutes were played out with only one outcome possible, and the Cornishman in control. Perhaps even worthy of a third try then.

Results from elsewhere made it a good day all round for the Pirates and must surely highlight the progress made even when the going gets tough. Three wins on the bounce and with a week away from the rigours of the league campaign bodes well for this collection of players who by admission was down to it's 'bare bones' today.

Moseley next week in the cup will be a welcome distraction and hopefully begin a long awaited cup run of some description. It may also provide the springboard for a greater things in the league as we enter the final third of an enthralling season which as yesterday's other results show has a twist or two to come yet!

Newbury 15
1. Rob Faulkner 2. Andrew Dalgleish 3. Raynn Bruce
4. Gregor Hayter (C) 5. Adam Harris
6. Richard Thorpe 7. Chris Morgan 8. Tom Brown
9. Dan Smaje 10. Tim Walsh
11. Martin Nutt 12. Ali James 13. Mark Ireland 14. David Rees 15. Mal Roberts
Replacements: 16. Steve Robinson 17. Glenn Cooper 18. Tom Radbourne
19. John Chance 20. Isoa Damudamu 21. Kenny Bingham 22. Greg Barden

Tries: Walsh, Damudamu
Con: Walsh
Pen: Walsh

Pirates 20
1 G Anderson 2 N Makin 3 D Seal
4 H Senekal 5 J Beardshaw
18 S McKeen 7 I Motusaga 8 T Cowley.
15 A Winnan 14 R McAtee 13 D Bell 12 S Winn 11 J Hylton
10 A Di Bernardo 9 G. Cattle (capt)
Replacements: V Ma'asi   P Joyce   S Hobson
C.Cracknell  M Evans  R Wells  S Parsons.

Tries: Winn, Ma'asi
Cons: di Bernado (2)
Pens: di Bernado (2)

Referee: Llyr Apgeraint Roberts
Touch Judges: Chris Seeley, Paul Burton

Article Links: Pix | Press Gang Sack Newbury