LEEDS TYKES 17pts

CORNISH PIRATES 18pts

THE Cornish Pirates pulled off what is undoubtedly their finest victory in the Club's league history following a pulsating encounter in this EDF Energy National Trophy fifth round clash, writes Phil Westren.

The ground staff had pulled out all the stops to give a chance of the game going ahead, covering the ground in frost sheets since Tuesday and also using hot air blowers to warm it up.

At the start there was something of a ping pong approach from both teams, the kicking from hand a little less than perfect. It was also sparring time, the home team delivering the first telling blow in the sixth minute when fly-half Richard Vasey's low trajectory penalty strike put the Tykes ahead after the Pirates were penalised for loose lipping to referee Mr Andrew Small.

A poor restart gifted Leeds the initiative to build up the pressure once more, and although a drop goal attempt by Vasey went wide, the Yorkshire side maintained purposeful momentum through flanker Jon Dunbar and lock Kearnan Myall.

It was a night when an error count just had to be high, a few too many from the Pirates not helping their cause.

On thirty-three minutes the Pirates deservedly drew level, Di Bernardo successful with a second penalty chance.

Approaching half-time, a flurry of snow was matched by one of fisticuffs, no surprise considering the intensity of the occasion, but with it still 3-all at the break there was clearly realistic hope that the Pirates could ultimately sneak this one. The tight five had been immense, appearing to clearly get the upperhand, impressing similarly at the start of the second period.

Leeds scrum-half Darren Edwards was yellow-carded for illegal use of the boot and keeping patient, Di Bernardo fired off a penalty from hand to the corner, a chance to press strongly for a score. Senekal appeared to be pulled down at the line-out, Leeds in danger of going down to thirteen men. Mr. Small reacted simply by issuing a stern warning and gifting a penalty to the Pirates, a kick at goal a successful option taken by Di Bernardo.

From the restart it was the Pirates who now infringed, and although Vasey's penalty effort to again level matters went wide, they soon went one better when prop Mike MacDonald scored a converted try near the posts.

Now into the last quarter this was a real test of character, but after fullback Adryan Winnan had been late tackled the Pirates were able to post the ball to the corner for a catch and drive. Leeds held one driving maul, but when a second surge came Ma'asi scored his seventh try of the season to put the Pirates 11-10 up.

After Hepworth and Welding combined to send Biggs in for a try and Leigh Hinton, now on as a replacement for the injured Vasey, and added the two extra points.

It was a cruel blow, the game surely over, but keeping possession on the Leeds "22" from the restart proceeded to steadily, almost confidently edge their way to the line.

Another maul was soon set, backs joining to form an irresistible mass of forward movement which was only halted at the line. A penalty try looked likely more than once, it not to be, but when a tap penalty was quickly taken for a maul that this time took in the whole Pirates team, the momentous final push in the mush, mud and slush ended with a try for heroic prop Alan Paver. Not for the first time the home supporters displayed appalling sporting behaviour when attempting the conversion, but Di Bernardo was the man for the moment, and boy oh boy he did not disappoint, his conversion putting the Pirates through to the quarter-finals.