CORNISH PIRATES 19pts
EXETER CHIEFS 16pts
ALBERTO Di Bernardo gave the Cornish Pirates a perfect parting gift by kicking them to EDF Energy National Trophy victory at Twickenham this afternoon.
The Argentinian fly-half, who is joining Leeds Tykes next season, landed 15 points as the Pirates came back from 16-6 down to pip their West Country rivals.
Di Bernardo's four penalties and conversion to Viliami Ma'asi's try sparked the Duchy's first rugby party in the capital since the "last one out of Cornwall turn the lights off" County Championship exodus 15 years ago.
It was a remarkable comeback for the Pirates, who looked out of it when Tony Yapp kicked his third penalty to put Exeter Chiefs 10 points clear but the Penzance side dug deep and prevailed.
A modest Di Bernardo said: "It wasn't only me, it was the support of the boys and the crowd. We finished very well and I will remember this day forever."
Captain and half-back partner Gavin Cattle added: "All credit to the boys. We left it a bit late but we showed a lot of character. It was like a furnace out there but the boys stepped up to the plate and turned it round. We were a bit disappointed when the league campaign fell apart so we changed the focus and at least we have achieved something from the year."
Exeter director of rugby Pete Drewett said: "All credit to the Pirates - they came back very strongly and Di Bernardo kicked well. The lads are very disappointed because they had an element of control and there was a feeling they were going to come out on top.
"Today was a fantastic advert for National Division One rugby and a real battle between two of the best teams in Devon and Cornwall."
The first half ended 3-3 with Tony Yapp and Bernardo trading penalties and few try-scoring chances created by either side.
Yapp edged Exeter in front just after the break and then added the extras to Kingdom's try as the Chiefs put some clear water between the teams.
However, the Pirates clawed their way back into the game with Di Bernardo kicking a penalty and then Ma'asi muscling his way over.
Pirates, with their tails up, got stuck into their National One rivals and when Chiefs were penalised for coming round the side, Benardo levelled the scores with his third penalty before adding the clinching penalty.
On Sunday the Pirates resume league action when they entertain Pertemps Bees at the Camborne Recreation Ground, kick off 2.30 pm.
Scorers - Cornish Pirates - try: Ma'asi; pens: Di Bernardo (4); con: Di Bernardo.
Scorers - Exeter Chiefs - try: Kingdom; pens: Yapp (3); con: Yapp Cornish Pirates: A Winnan; R McAtee, D Roke, D Bell, J Hylton; A Di Bernardo, G Cattle (capt); A Paver, V Ma'asi, S Heard, H Senekal, J Beardshaw, S McKenn, I Motusaga, T Colwey. Reps: L Vinncombe for McAtee 50, D Seal for Heard 50, C Cracknell for Colwey 73, J Inglis for Senekal 77, N Makin for Ma'asi 76, Not used: J Moore, S Winn.
Exeter Chiefs: G Kingdom; J Luff, M Fatialofa, J Fatialofa, A Murdoch; T Yapp, K Barrett; R Liddington, S Blythe, J Horn-Smith, I Brown, J Hanks, T Walker, G Willis, R Baxter. Reps: A Miller for Willis 68, C Slade for Hanks 73. Not used: I Wilson, A Staniforth, W Kelly, S Jenkins, S Bennett.
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