Cornish Pirates 34-14 Dundee HSFP: Forwards battle to the end, but Pirates put Dundee to the sword

Dundee HSFP battled hard all afternoon, but six tries from the Cornish Pirates saw them win the British and Irish Cup match at the Mennaye Field yesterday.

Scorers: Cornish Pirates – Tries: Hill, Hallett, Burgess, Davies (2), Bedford. Cons: Hallett (2). Dundee HSFP – Try: Robertson. Pens: Steele (3).

The 34-14 victory for the side, who are currently fifth in the English Championship, means that they will finish top of Pool Three as they have five wins from five. A victory at Carmarthen in Wales in their final fixture would guarantee them a home last eight tie.

Dundee HSFP were dealt a blow with the news that Rory Lamont, originally named in the starting XV, would not be starting having failed a late fitness test, so Jamie Urquhart stepped up to play at 15.

Early on the Pirates took a 7-0 lead thanks to a converted try from Sam Hill, but Dundee HSFP got themselves back in to things and were just a point behind after centre Jack Steele kicked two penalties.

Two further tries from stand-off Keiron Hallett and then back-row Phil Burgess saw the home side go in 19-6 to the good at the break.

The Pirates got off to the perfect start in the second half with a try through winger Wes Davies which gave them the bonus point. Steele then added his third penalty of the afternoon in the 57th minute for Dundee HSFP to pull things back to 24-9.

Winger Tom Bedford’s try made it 29-9 to the Pirates heading into the final quarter and it was credit to Dundee’s pack that they did not allow the Pirates to run away with things and the back row were leading a tremendous defensive effort.

In the last few minutes, there was time for Dundee HSFP to get themselves a try that their play deserved while the Pirates ended things with a great try of their own.

The try for the visitors came through replacement front-row man Gav Robertson after back-row Danny Levison had been stopped just short of the line.

But it was Davies who had the final say with a superb solo effort, beating five Dundee HSFP defenders and showing great pace and tenacity to touch down.

Once the Dundee HSFP players return from the long trip south this afternoon they will begin to focus on their final pool match at home to Swansea this coming weekend.

Cornish Pirates: K Moyle; W Davies, T Riley, S Hill, T Bedford; K Hallett, T Kessell; B Prescott, D Semmens, R Storer, G Johnson, D Lyons, P Burgess, A Cheesman, B Maidment. Subs used: P Andrew, R Elloway, P Joyce, J Tyas, T Duncan, G Cattle, J Fatialofa.

Dundee HSFP: J Urquhart; A McLean, H Duthie, J Steele, J Johnstone; B Laursen, R Lavery; S Longwell, D Russell, A Brown, A Redmayne, R Hawkins, D Levison, R McIver, I Wilson. Subs used: C Whittaker, R Milne, G Robertson, A Linton, A Dymock, D Gray, C Bowie.

Referee: N Perkins.