The Cornish Pirates aimed to perform well in this Championship league opener, and in general terms, they did just that.

In the process, they also recorded a pleasing bonus point win.

With both teams naturally fired up, for the ‘Archers’ a reckless challenge led to their experienced try-scoring winger David Williams being shown a yellow card in just the second minute.

This, of course, provided an early chance for the Pirates to potentially benefit from the numerical advantage, which they shortly after did.

The first try of a new season was scored by captain John Stevens.

Houston’s conversion attempt went wide, but it made a sound start for the visitors nonetheless.

(Image: Brian Tempest)

The Pirates scrum was already showing up well, and there was further joy when centre Matt McNab's determined chase and charge down on a home defender paid off.

A hat-trick scorer in the friendly away to Carmarthen Quins, he added another try to his tally this season.

Nottingham, however, would hit back, as Arden, firstly narrowed the deficit with a 13th-minute penalty.

Forced into giving a series of penalties away, the Pirates now went down to 14 men when Bokenham was directed to the sin bin.

Then a successful driving maul ended with a first Nottingham try of the match scored by hooker Harry Clayton - Arden converting.

The Pirates strived to hit back, and after scrum half Cam Jones sniped close to the line, a continuing pick and go approach duly delivered with hooker Nelson notching a first try.

There would though be an unfortunate setback, when on the half-hour mark the team lost skipper Stevens to injury.

The visitors held a 17-10 lead as the referee brought the first half to a close.

(Image: Brian Tempest)

Midway through the period a second successful penalty strike by Arden brought the men in green and white to within four points of the Pirates.

It was certainly a time for the Pirates to dig deep and show resolve.

Certain replacements were introduced and there was also a continuing front of mind endeavour to score what would be a fourth try to provide a bonus point.

Following a Nottingham knock on, the Pirates were at first awarded a scrum just five metres out and then a penalty.

Replacement fly-half Iwan Jenkins chipped to the corner, hooker Harry Hocking threw into the line-out, and after backs added their weight to the driving maul, a try was shortly after signalled – scored by Bokenham.

The conversion from Jenkins opened a surely unassailable 11 points gap.

Cornish Pirates’ coach Gavin Cattle said: "This was a good start, a satisfying win on the road, as we now look forward to next Friday’s big Championship game at home to Ealing Trailfinders."