Cornish Pirates 17 - 20 London Scottish: Scots grab late win

By GARETH BLACK
Published on 18/02/2013 00:41

IN A remarkable fightback, the Exiles overcame a 17-point deficit, capped by a late matchwinning penalty by James Love, to record their fourth straight league win.

The visitors went behind to a Kieran Hallett penalty after Scottish were penalised at scrum time and things became worse for the visitors when scrum half Jamie Stevenson was sent to the sin bin for a tip tackle. The Pirates profited, as Evans went set over after a blindside break by Tom Kessell.

Though down to 13 men after PJ Gidlow was also yellow-carded for not rolling away after a tackle, Scottish hung on until half-time.

However , Pirates extended their lead as Evans scored his second try of the match

Scottish replaced their entire front row and brought on flanker Chevvy Pennycook. Almost immediately, the Exiles began their fightback, Love kicking a penalty from 25 metres.

Bright scrambled over and Love’s conversion brought the visitors to within a converted try. Then Scottish were level when Stevenson fed Love, who finished in the corner. His conversion levelled the scores.

With the Pirates now down to 14 men themselves following Ben Maidment’s sinbinning, the referee handed Love a penalty opportunity from 20 metres out, which he gratefully accepted, giving Scottish the lead for the first time in the match with around four minutes remaining.

It was a frantic end, as the Pirates camped themselves just short of the line for several minutes of severe pressure. But Scottish held firm, managed to win possession and the ball was eventually booted clear for an eye-catching win.