Black and Ambers walk the plank – match report Pirates 26 Newport 20 (From South Wales Argus)

Black and Ambers walk the plank – match report Pirates 26 Newport 20

10:10am Monday 8th March 2010 in Latest Rugby By Chris Kirwan

NEWPORT failed to make it to the last four of the British and Irish Cup after falling at the final hurdle in Cornwall.

Victory against the Pirates in Camborne would have sealed a semi-final place but it was a game too far for the Black and Ambers – this was definitely one that got away.

Stirring wins over Leinster, Exeter and Gael Force and a hard-earned draw with Plymouth meant their fate was in their own hands.

But all hopes of a routine afternoon would have gone out of the window at first glance of a giant pasty being passed between both sets of posts before kick-off.

Newport could certainly head back over the border with their heads held high but there will also be a tinge of regret because yesterday’s clash was there for them.

The Pirates, who topped the group to qualify, were committed and were backed loudly by a crowd of 3,650 but they didn’t possess the class that was in the Leinster or Gael Force ranks nor did they boast the physicality of Exeter.

The Black and Ambers performed admirably but didn’t quite hit the heights they had previously in the campaign, or of their midweek 43-9 drubbing of Swansea.

They were resilient – as was proved by two of their three tries coming while they were down to 14 men – but they paid the price for losing the territorial battle.

Newport would have been more than happy with their first half efforts playing into a fierce wind.

A terrific defensive effort, particularly when down to 14 men and entrenched on their own line, ensured they went into the break just 11-8 down.

There was a try apiece with both efforts coming within a minute. First full-back Rob Cook went over in the right corner on 25 minutes for the hosts but Newport’s response was swift.

The Pirates failed to field the kick-off and the ball fell to centre Pat Leach, who weaved his way through and put in-form winger Mike Poole over in the corner with a lovely offload. However, the visitors really had to work to keep it at a three-point deficit at the end of the half when fussy Irish official Leo Colgan yellow-carded prop Dai Pattison and the Pirates laid siege to the line.

Yet it was Newport who had looked the more threatening in the first half – centre Adam Hughes, wing Ryan Owen and Wannell all managed to breach the Pirates’ defensive line but were unable to turn excellent breaks into points.

But too much of the second half was played in the Newport half.The Pirates took command when a Nick Jackson try and five points from Cook’s boot put them 13 clear.

Newport struck back with another well-worked try by Poole, Hughes providing the assist, but the killer blow came when Blair Cowan barged over the hosts with 10 minutes left after a searing break by Welshman Rhodri McAtee.

Skipper Andrew Coombs fittingly had the final say when he went over with the last play but it was unfortunately too little, too late. The adventure is over.

Cornish Pirates: R Cook, R McAtee (R Jones 71), P Devlin (S Winn 59), M Ireland, N Jackson, J Bentley, G Cattle (captain), P Andrew (A Paver 50), R Elloway (B Cowan 50), R Brits (R Storer 57), R Labuschagne (T Holmes 57), B Gulliver (M Myerscough 8), D Ward, L McGlone.

Scorers: tries - R Cook, N Jackson, B Cowan; conversion - R Cook; penalties - R Cook (3)

Newport: G Wyatt, M Poole, A Hughes, P Leach (S Williams 76), R Owen, C Wannell (D Griffiths 76), A Walker (A Quick 52), D Pattison, Andrew Brown, G Robinson (D Way 70), D Rosser (M Workman 74), Adam Brown, S Waldron (L Hunter 30-40, D McShane 50), C Hill, A Coombs (captain).

Scorers: tries - M Poole (2), A Coombs; conversion - D Griffiths; penalty - C Wannell.

Referee: Leo Colgon (Ireland)

Argus star man: Craig Hill