A first half hat-trick scored by centre Matt McNab helped the Cornish Pirates on their way to recording this victory in what was their third and final pre-season encounter.

Having picked up just a few knocks last time out at Exeter Chiefs, the Pirates travelled not quite at full strength.

Skipper John Stevens sat this one out, so backrower Hugh Bokenham was handed the captain’s armband.

Match underway at the home team’s Carmarthen Park ground, it was the hosts who were also first to score, a try by centre Harrison Griffiths converted by fly-half Osian Jones.

However, quickly responding the Pirates soon levelled matters thanks to their opening try by centre Matt McNab to which fly-half Bruce Houston added the extras.

Of no surprise the opening exchanges showed a fair level of physicality as both sides battled it out, before a second converted touch down by McNab put the Pirates in front.

The Quins shortly after reduced the deficit thanks to a Jones penalty, but in general the Pirates were now dominating in important areas, and nearing half-time it was firstly skipper Bokenham who registered his team’s third try.

It was converted by Houston, then McNab crossed for his hat-trick, with Houston adding two points once more to make it 10-28 at the break.

(Image: Brian Tempest)

Into the second period there was no flourish of ‘Pirate’ points to match that witnessed at the conclusion of the first forty.

A blend of less dominance and a rejuvenated Carmarthen performance would see a more even contest, and it was not until all but the very end that the scoreboard operator would once again be disturbed.

Captain Bokenham notched a second try of the match, with replacement Iwan Jenkins landing the conversion to ultimately record a convincing win.

FT: Carmarthen Quins 10 Cornish Pirates 35

Cornish Pirates’ joint head coach Gavin Cattle commented: “It was a good workout for us and a worthwhile visit to Carmarthen who made us very welcome.

"We perhaps left a couple of scores out there in the first half but, overall, it was quite pleasing, with good line-out and scrum percentage and collision dominance in our favour.

“In the second half they came out with the bit between their teeth and more physicality, and with the changes we made we potentially lost a little cohesion, including in the set piece, and with less control of the ball it gave them some parity.”

On man of the match Matt McNab’s hat-trick, he said: “His was a fine hat-trick, helped by us putting some quick phases together.

"Given a chance Matt is, as we know, a hard man to stop.”

Full focus for the Cornish Pirates now turns to Nottingham on Friday.