CORNISH PIRATES 24 SOUTHEND 0 Handed what many would have perceived as a relatively easy Round 4 opener in this season's EDF Energy National Trophy competition, the Cornish Pirates duly delivered with a victory against Southend. However, with conditions far from conducive, and with the men from Essex also giving their all, the win was hard earned.

Witnessing the teams warming up, it was clear from the damage being done to the pitch that purity of performance would be difficult to achieve when the match kicked off, and so it proved. The Pirates, with new boy Blair Cowan selected at No. 8, were meeting Southend for the very first time, and although they quickly put their opponents under immense pressure, early chances went begging because of poor handling.

Southend also defended stoutly, and in full-back Simon Hoult they had a player who kicked ably out of hand to help keep the Pirates at bay.

Wing Jimmy Moore had the chance to open the scoring for the Pirates in the fourteenth minute, but his penalty strike from 31 metres missed.

Because of general dominance witnessed, it was surely just a short matter of time before the Pirates would actually register some points on the board, and so it proved. With a quarter of the game gone, a cohesive shunt towards the Southend line ended with Paul Andrew burrowing over for an unconverted try. The gifted young prop was making a welcome first start at such a level, and he had already impressed in the match with his ball carrying and tackling.

Approaching the half-hour mark the Pirates pressed potently once more. Scrum-half Ed Fairhurst made the initial yardage, and from the breakdown good passing, especially from hooker Rob Elloway, enabled flanker Iva Motusaga to score on the right. Moore this time added the extras.

As first half minutes ticked away, the Pirates would surely score again before the interval, but it was not to be. Moore was unlucky not to gave been awarded a try after a determined kick and chase, and credit was then due Southend for responding to provide some spark over a now gloomy 'Rec' . Scrum-half Reece Reed did well to latch on to a loose back pass, which ended with his team making a rare visit into the Pirates half, but they could take no further advantage.

For the start of the second period, Dan Seal replaced Sam Heard at tight-head prop for the Pirates, whilst the whole team must also have appreciated the opportunity to have a change of shirts. For the visitors it was a matter of ploughing on as they were, but with apparent added confidence and determination.

The Southend pack had worked particularly hard, with flanker Tim Kasten and prop Isaac Cook to the fore, and they built play purposefully to the scoreboard corner. At line-out time, however, they suddenly let themselves down, when replacement Jamie Connors was yellow-carded for appearing to pull a Pirates jumper to ground.

Having numerical advantage, the Pirates wasted no to time to soon attack at the other end of the field. Fairhurst made the initial break out, with there good support by Andrew once more. A try looked certain to be scored when the ball was moved swiftly right, but a pass was knocked on.

Southend had the next chance to score, but Hoult's penalty kick from 39 metres unluckily hit the left post.

Both sides used up their quota of replacements into the last quarter, which helped to put a little more pep back in to the game, and it was not long before a Pirate called off the bench scored. Full-back Adryan Winnan, who has had a lengthy spell out because of injury, had countered well all afternoon, and after one particular fine run, which was given support by Moore, up popped replacement scrum-half Nicky Griffiths who crossed the line on the left.

Other players called to enter the fray included Wayne Davey, who has played league rugby for the Pirates in the past, and has been a stand out performer in 'Super Cup' matches played this season. He relished the opportunity on offer, and in his time on the field did well.

A final try of the afternoon followed for lively wing McAtee, with Moore slotting the simple conversion on offer.

If the Pirates were looking for pluses, then their defence was certainly sound, but at the end there was natural disappointment with the overall display. All will know that they can play better, and will likely have to raise their level of performance to succeed further in the competition, with the draw for Round 5 awaited with interest.

Cornish Pirates: A. Winnan, R. McAtee, M. Ireland (P. Devlin 75), S. Winn, J. Moore, S. Whatling (B. Tuohy 72), E. Fairhurst (N. Griffiths 64), B. Cowan (W. Davey 75), I. Motusaga (T. Luke 62), C. Morgan, B. Gulliver (capt), M. Evans, S. Heard (D. Seal h/t), R. Elloway, P. Andrew (P. Cook 66).

Southend: S. Hoult (A. Frost 62), M. Billings (D. Cleare 70), L. Sloan (capt), C. Green, T. Lewis (C. Vaughan 77), B. McKeith, R. Reed, T. Stannard (L. Irvine 40+3), R. Gill, T. Kasten, C. Waring (J. Connors 35), S. Cook, I. Cook, J. George, S. North (M. Williams 57).

Yellow card: Connors.

Scorers:- Cornish Pirates – tries: Andrew, Motusaga, Griffiths, McAtee; cons: Moore (2).

Referee: Philip Davies (RFU) Man of the match: Paul Andrew Attendance: 837