The play offs – All shipshape and bristol fashion?

Karl Marx second story from his excellent blog -- 

Despite the seeming lack of investment from the RFU in it’s half baked, second tier brainchild otherwise known as The Championship, I think it’s fair to say that not only supporters of the Cornish Pirates, Bristol, Bedford and London Welsh, but rugby supporters up and down Britain, have been treated to the strongest and most exciting play off semi finals yet.

With the so called underdogs of both ties, Pirates and Welsh, upsetting their opponents in the first leg a week ago, (and subsequently those points cushions ultimately proving enough to take them over the line despite both being defeated today), the stage was set for two equally thrilling deciding encounters in Bristol and Richmond.

Everything but, or including?

Following the Pirates’ five try, second half demolition of Bristol at The Mennaye on Bank Holiday Monday, supporters made their way from all directions (the majority of course from Cornwall, but many from various cities, towns and no doubt villages up country) in confident, but somewhat pensive mood.

Bristol are without doubt a fine side who are at their most formidable when they break from deep with alarming pace, and most knew that with nothing to lose and a big crowd behind them, the home side would throw everything at the Pirates with wave after wave of attacks, and so it proved to be.

To many to ponder…..

Even walking around the Memorial Stadium over an hour before kick off, there was a tension in the air that I had not experienced before when watching the Pirates.

Even the atmosphere in the excellent Wellington pub just around the corner was not as bouyant as usual, as you could see the ever building trepidation on the faces of both sets of supporters. 

For Bris, a case of ‘Can we pull the deficit back, in order to make the next step in returning to the Premiership?’, and for the Pirates, ‘Can we build on last week and make the final once more?’ Questions, conundrums, connotations - Can Bristol claw back victory from the jaws of defeat? Can the Pirates pillage their way through yet again to make the final?

You what, you big wazzock?!

And so it proved no to the former and yes to the latter question, but not before a battle royale that did both sides and the RFU Championship mighty proud. By kick off, the tension had reached volcanic levels.

Whilst in true rugby fashion, the crowd were just about managing to keep their nerves in check, but for the players, it proved not so easy. Jason Hobson decided to engage in a little slap and tickle with Alan Paver, but the man of good old Yorkshire stee, wasn’t too interested, had a few words, and then we were off.

As expected the home team came flying forward and a number of attacks were repelled before Goodridge crossed the line and touched down under the posts, but the Pirates were not going to be brushed aside easily. With an early score opening penalty and a trademark bursting run through the home defence from Rob Cook that took him over the line, with then adding the extras, the visitors went into the break 10-7 up.

The Pirates now had a 24 point aggregate lead. More questions begged. ‘Can the Pirates do the same again for another 40 minutes?’ ‘Will Bristol wilt or thrive under the ever burdonening pressure?’

Mmmm, penalty!

Of course, it was a case of both in the second half. The first act went in favour of Bristol. Again it was Goodridge eventually finding a hole in the defensive wall and again placing the ball under the post for a simple conversion.

However, yet again the Pirates were not going to give in. Phil Burgess suddenly found himself with the ball on his own 10 metre line, took the opportunity, pinned his ears back and ran as fast as a back row forward can. More questions………’Can he make the line? Can he? Can he?

Yes he can – Tension in the away camp easing? Bris did their best to make sure it wasn’t with two late tries from Watkins and Helu, but a late penalty from the ‘Cookie Monster’ eased the pressure before referee Mr Davey signalled the end of a titantic battle and yet another fine advertisement for championship rugby.

Cooooookie!

Although the relief and celebrations for the Pirates were evident and well deserved. One could not help but feel a degree of sympathy for Bristol.

A fine and large rugby club with a great squad and wonderful supporters, that for the second time in three seasons, had finished in first place during the season proper but fell victim to the lottery of the play offs.

Whilst it would be incredible for the Pirates to win the Championship (for now, I will relent from talking about not being prevented from going up to the Premiership due to ground requirements), is it really fair that the first placed side during the regular season is not crowned champions? Or is it a case of ‘that was then, this is now, them’s the rules’?