Cornish Pirates miss out on Champ play-off place

Cornish Pirates won two of their previous three games to give them a chance of reaching the play-offs [Brian Tempest] Cornish Pirates have missed out on a place in the Champ play-offs after losing 30-21 at Hartpury. Going into the game seventh-placed Pirates had to win the game in order to have a chance of leapfrogging their sixth-placed hosts into the final play-off spot. But, in their first game since new American investment was unveiled in the club, Pirates were unable to get over the line and finished seventh.

The Penzance-based side led 7-6 at the break as Chester Ribbons' try was sandwiched between two Harry Bazalgette penalties. Morgan Nelson increased the lead to 14-6 five minutes after the break, but two tries in six minutes saw the hosts lead 18-14 as Josh Field and Will Knight went over. But Pirates took a three-point lead with 22 minutes left as Sol Moody went over.

However, Pirates' advantage lasted just six minutes as Knight got his second try to put Hartpury 25-21 up. Any hope of a comeback was dashed with five minutes to go as Arwel Robson was sin-binned before the hosts got a try through Ethan Hunt to earn a bonus point. Related internet links Cornish Pirates