Falmouth Rugby Club

It ended with a whimper not a bang, Falmouth who have been undefeated at home since the start of the season lost their record to local rivals Pirates Amateurs on Saturday, writes James Instance.

The damage was done in a devastating opening 15 minutes where the Pirates, superbly marshalled by Steve Evans, exacted every opportunity in scoring 3 tries past a patched up Falmouth team, trying to find cohesion while playing on the field.

Just three minutes were on the clock when Amateurs Flanker Noyce burst over the gain line, an overlap created as Falmouth retreated, the ball pass quickly to the left wing and touched down in the corner, the conversion failing in the blustery wind.

Within 2 minutes Pirates had increased their advantage in a copy of the first score, a strong run straight into the midfield defence created another 3 on 1 mismatch and full back Jack Lonsdale cantered through for the first of his pair, converting his own try.

Falmouth desperately needed a foothold in the match and it was provided from an unlikely source, number 8 Tom David taking a quick tap penalty, prop Dan Kirk took a pass 30 metres from the line, assuming he would pass, the Pirates backed off and Kirk seized his opportunity, marauding forward and across the try line.

The Pirates responded immediately, firstly Falmouth conceded a penalty for holding on in the tackle which Lonsdale slotted from 30 metres out and then with the Eagles defence seemingly set firm Evans pushed a deft miss pass across the face of three players for Lonsdale's second, the conversion falling short but Pirates 20 points to 5 ahead.

Finally after a traumatic opening 20 minutes, Falmouth settled and began to dominate the game, securing a series of penalties close to the Pirates line. The Eagles attempted to catch and drive and attack wide but the Amateurs defended, a Justin Irons a penalty ended the half 20 points to 8, Falmouth with a chance of stealing the result.

With the stakes high and a local derby the game was occasionally a fractious affair, with swinging arm tackles and a number of scuffles as both sides literally fought for control.

The second period began with the Eagles using the conditions to secure territory in the Amateurs half. The pressure built on the Amateurs as they conceded penalties and lost 2nd row Nicholas to the sin bin. Falmouth capitalised when a line out drive was dragged down short of the line, play was switched back toward the touchline with Tom Spiller, showing his versatility by playing on the flank, getting the touchdown, Irons converting.

Falmouth were in the ascendancy and although still prone to missing 'first up' tackles, were covering back better. Irons slotted another penalty conceded by Evans who also earned a visit to the sin bin for not rolling away quickly enough, not easy for a man of his stature.

The momentum was with Falmouth and they looked likely to cap off the comeback with a win. However just as victory seemed a possibility, Falmouth lost their way, they had worked their way back into the game through organisation and composure but lost this as they chased the game and pressure built.

As the clock ticked down Eagles couldn't secure meaningful possession or territory and became embroiled in a mid-field battle often giving away penalties.

The final act came as Evans, freshly returned to the field, drew the attention of the Falmouth defenders from a scrum in the 22 and slipped the ball in a scissors move to centre Semmens, converted by Lonsdale. Pirates had seen off the Eagles comeback and shut the home team out.

Falmouth

Searle, Geech, Kirk, Ward, Baglow, Spiller, McColl, David, Munro-Lott, Irons, Lea, Job, Rodda, Carne, Symons.

Reps: Martin, Dobson, Saberton.

Pirates

Skinner, Toolan, Brownfield, Humphrys, Nicholas, Noyce, Blewett, Stevens, Dugdale, Evans, Eddy, Semmens, Tresize, Cutter, Lonsdale.

Written by James Instance, photo by Sunshine Tucker.