Playing Hartpury away in their third Premiership Cup game in Pool E of the competition, the Cornish Pirates held a fully deserved 19-10 halftime lead.

However, it was one unfortunately relinquished - writes Phil Westren.

With Storm Bert making an impact, the wet and windy conditions would inevitably make it difficult for both teams.

However, the Pirates got off to an encouraging start when in the 10th minute Cam Jones scored to the left of the posts, fly-half Iwan Jenkins adding the extras.

It was a good opening quarter for the Pirates, with Will Trewin scoring an unconverted try.

The Cornish side was hungry to score again and following good play from skipper Hugh Bokenham and lock Charlie Rice, further influential support from McCaig saw a nudge that led to Relton taking advantage of a cross-field kick to gather and score.

Jenkins was on target with his second conversion of the afternoon and thoughts of a possible bonus point fourth try quickly came to mind.

As the game developed, and of no real surprise, Hartpury started to show glimpses of what they had to offer.

Their Cornwall scrum-half Mike Austin was a busy performer, and a try scored by Aristot Benz-Salomon and converted by Bazalgette reminded all that the home team still posed a real threat.

The Pirates were forced into giving too many penalties away and, taking the opportunity to chance a kick at goal in the last minute, Bazalgette duly delivered for the whistle to blow with the score now reading 10-19.

The start of the second half was anything but wanted by the Pirates, as Austin took advantage of some untidy play to run clear and score.

Bazalgette duly converted, and the deficit was now just two points.

Maintaining pressure on the Pirates, another converted try scored by Crane saw Hartpury take a lead which was then extended on the hour mark when wing Ollie Holliday crossed out wide for their bonus point fourth.

Bazalgette struck a fine conversion to see the scoreboard transformed, 31-19.

The Pirates quickly hit back thanks to their own bonus point providing try scored by Bokenham, converted by Bruce Houston.

However, the seven points were soon cancelled out when Hartpury’s final try of the match was scored by Hayler.

(Image: Brian Tempest) Full time score: Hartpury 41, Cornish Pirates 26

Speaking at the end of this contest, Cornish Pirates’ joint head coach Gavin Cattle said: "Looking at the first half we started well and created a good platform to take the game away from them.

"However, we then came out in the second half and just gifted them momentum, which was obviously disappointing.

"It is part of our learning and comes with experience".