On returning to Championship league action, the Cornish Pirates secured a hard-fought and morale-boosting win - writes Phil Westren.

They welcomed sixth-placed Chinnor to the Mennaye Field for a first-time meeting at senior level.

Match underway, it was immediately clear that the visitors would prove a difficult hurdle.

Well led by skipper Willie Ryan, they showed physicality and would threaten.

However, it was the Pirates who opened the scoring in the 12th minute when wing Matt McNab scored an unconverted try.

Chinnor responded with a cleanly struck penalty from fly-half Connor Slevin that sailed between the Penzance posts.

Aussie full-back Will Feeney looked a slick performer for ‘The Villagers’, as he showed when winning a kick chase to score a converted try that gave his side the lead.

A second successful penalty strike from Slevin made it 5-13 at the break.

Into the second period, the Pirates still showed character, with Josh King, and Moody, again to the fore, and a converted try by Arthur Relton narrowing the deficit to one point.

Tension levels were taken to new heights following a superb 50:22 by full-back Will Trewin.

From the resulting line-out the Pirates drove close to the line, and maintaining pressure were eventually awarded a penalty.

It was certainly kickable, and seemingly to dispel any thoughts of taking another possible option the tee quickly appeared for Houston to make it 15-13.

The Pirates ultimately held out for a fully deserved and much sought after victory.

(Image: Brian Tempest) Cornish Pirates’ joint head coach Gavin Cattle said: "Under pressure in certain areas against a good Chinnor outfit, we needed to come out on the right side of a game like that, and it was a relief to get the monkey off our back.

"It was difficult out there for both teams, but we found a way, showed we are learning, and most importantly our attitude and willingness to graft the game out shone through."

This week it was announced that the Pirates' fixture away to Ampthill, which was scheduled for Saturday, December 28, will now be played on Sunday, December 29 instead, still with a 1.30pm kick-off.