Sarah Cloke in Nepal
Posted 12th April 2014
On 20th March 2014 I traveled to Nepal for the greatest challenge and experience of my life. As part of a group of 20 WaterAid supporters we trekked approximately 100km around the Annapurna circuit of the Himalayas to 3,400m. While in Nepal I celebrated my 40th birthday! But most importantly visited a WaterAid project seeing first hand how our money is spent.
Sarah Cloke in Nepal
Is 2800m a TASC record for the highest that one of our members has flown a St. Piran's flag? (Ed.)
Posted 6th April 2014
The Cornish Pirates are out of the British and Irish Cup after the narrowest of 16-14 defeats against Pontypridd at the Mennaye Field.
A try from forward Aaron Carpenter and three successful penalties from the boot of fly-half Kieran Hallett looked like being enough to see them past the Welsh Premiership side in heavy conditions.
However, a late penalty from opposition fly-half Simon Humberstone denied the Cornishmen a semi-final against Leinster in the final few minutes.
It was very clear from the off that both sides were determined to make the most of their cup opportunity.
But it was the Pirates who took an early lead with less than two minutes gone when Hallett kicked a penalty between the posts from close to the touchline, just outside the Ponty 22. And a similar set of circumstances enabled him to double that lead a few minutes later.
Pontypridd were more than a match for Pirates in those early stages, however, so it was no surprise that they were off the mark themselves, with Humberstone maintaining his composure despite some difficulty locating a kicking tee before his kick for the posts.
Some good work at the breakdown from flanker Alex Cheesman gave Hallett a third penalty chance on the halfway line. With the wind behind him, Hallett made a decent connection with his boot but the ball bounced back off the crossbar.
The Welsh side were growing in confidence with the ball in hand as the half wore on. Humberstone ruined one good opportunity for a try with an attempted kick towards his left wing going straight into touch.
He made amends with eight minutes of the half remaining by bringing the scores level with a penalty in front of the posts. Fortunately for the hosts, Hallett was soon back in his grove with another exceptional strike from distance to nudge his side back in front.
Despite the lack of tries, it was a riveting contest and an excellent advert for the competition. And the tries soon came after a yellow card for visiting lock Craig Locke gave Pirates the advantage they needed for the opening breakthrough.
A penalty was kicked to the corner and the subsequent catch-and-drive was finished by No.8 Carpenter. Hallett was unable to add the conversion and Pirates left the field for the break with an eight-point lead.
The sides were even harder to separate once Ponty were back to full strength early in the second half. But, despite some excellent play from both sides leading up to the hour mark, Humberstone’s missed penalty attempt and a promising break from visiting full-back Geraint Walsh were the closest either side went to scoring more points.
The Pirates’ defence was being put to the test, with Ponty’s forwards battering their Cornish counterparts back to their own try line with phase after phase of pressure. A knock-on at the last moment thwarted one certain try, but Carpenter found himself in the sin-bin as the hosts’ desperation grew.
Pontypridd got their reward with ten minutes remaining when hooker Liam Belcher rumbled over for a try converted by Humberstone, leaving the sides just a point apart.
The Welsh side’s ten had an opportunity to put his side in front just as Canadian international Carpenter returned to the action, and he made no mistake with a nerveless strike putting his side in front for the first time with 78 minutes on the clock.
Try as they did with a full complement of players once again, the hosts were unable to find a way through the Pontypridd defence and their cup hopes for the season were extinguished.
Posted 6th April 2014
The new range of Grumpies wear, available from the TASC Shop.
Posted 27th February 2014
Just after Trelawny's Army Annual Dinner & Dance, thoughts turn towards springtime and Cornwall’s annual quest for it's "Holy Grail", winning the County Championship, or as it is now called the Bill Beaumont Cup.
Last Wednesday evening players, coaches and officials from the CRFU gathered at Kingsley Village to lay down the route map for this season’s campaign, the first for many years without Dave “Benji” Thomas at the helm.
However, in Graham Dawe, the Cornwall RFU have appointed a proven winner with a professional mindset when it comes to rugby. Ian Morgan is also on board, whilst London Cornish Director of Rugby Dickon Moon is once again part of this season’s coaching set up with no doubt “special duties” with his keen analytical eye for detail!
Dawe has seen it all before and he is in no doubt especially after last season’s trip to Twickenham when Cornwall lost the final to Lancashire, that the Cornish supporters hope that under his guidance Cornwall can again bring the title back across the Tamar.
Asked about the reasons he took on the role he was quite unequivocal. “Cornwall gave me my first representative honours and that was very much a stepping stone for me to move on to have the career in the game I enjoyed, by playing for Cornwall that brought me into the spotlight and opened some doors for me. I was a very determined player and I had set goals of what I wanted to achieve, my first goal was to play for Cornwall and that led to me then going to Bath and the rest.
He knows only too well that the Cornish people crave success from their county side.
He said. “It’s the hardest thing, the massive expectations from the people in Cornwall, we’ve got to live with it, there is no point in trying to hide away from it. We’ve got to move forward and do the best with the players we have. The competition comes at the end of a hard long season and you have deal with that, but also it’s a change for the players something a little different to what they have been involved in during the season so hopefully they will respond to it as a fresh challenge.
“I have had some great days playing for Cornwall with wonderful support for the teams I played in the Cornish people have always got behind their team and supported it through thick and thin. There is no other county quite the same.
“Pulling on the Cornish shirt is a great identity for players, it’s something all Cornish rugby players aspire to, we have picked a large squad, but it’s not just about this season it’s about developing the county side for future years, some players may not get a chance this year but they will have been groomed for the future and will feel part of the set up.
“I am really looking forward to the task, following on from “Benji” is a big ask but one I am relishing.”
Confirmed as Cornwall’s captain for another season Cornish All Blacks’ Ben Hilton fresh from his exploits with England Counties this winter against France Fédérale and Ireland Clubs XV with both games lost frustratingly by a single point.
Cornwall captain Ben Hilton. Photo by Simon Bryant Iktisphoto.
Having first captained Cornwall when the county made a trip to Brittany to play Quimper in 2007, Hilton now looks forward to turning his attentions to another county campaign with hopefully another tilt at the title at rugby’s HQ.
“I am both delighted and surprised to be confirmed as captain for another season, but it’s a role I relish and take great pride in.
“It’s great to be back in Cornwall mode, chatting to players from the other clubs tonight, I was just talking to Chris Fuca (Redruth) and bouncing ideas off him about how we are going to do things it’s just brilliant to have that buzz back again.
“Support is going to be crucial, let’s make no bones about it we got to Twickenham on the back of great support both at the away games and at Camborne, without the backing we wouldn’t have made it through.
“Speaking to Lancashire’s Chris Johnson last week he told me if they make the final again they want to play Cornwall because of the wonderful atmosphere created at Twickenham by our supporters.
“We defiantly owe it to our supporters to go back and finish the job this year and that’s our aim.
Another player who is looking forward to donning the Cornwall shirt again is Truro prop Darren Jacques.
“I didn’t think I’d be back playing for Cornwall this season but after losing that final I felt I had to give it another crack, it’s great to see everyone coming together tonight and getting that buzz about Cornwall, it’s very special.
“We have been really close the last two seasons I think the squad we have now has built up nicely over that period the core of the squad is still the same and we all desperately want to give the Cornish crowd something to cheer.
It was also good to see try-scorer at Twickenham last season Lewis Vinnicombe also hoping to help Cornwall go all the way this season.
Another player back in the mix is St. Austell’s Matt Shepherd who is once again enjoying a fine season with the Saints as they push for a place in the National Leagues.
“It’s a massive honour to be involved in any Cornwall representative side, it’s always been an objective to play for Cornwall and last season being involved with the County Championship squad was very exciting getting to Twickenham but this year we really want to go all the way and go one step higher.
“For me it would be wonderful to win promotion with St. Austell and go to Twickenham and win the County Championship with Cornwall a dream double.
“With Cornwall it’s refreshing to team up with other players I find that it pushes you into bring the best out of yourself.
“I feel we have got the squad to go all the way and with someone of the calibre of Graham Dawe coaching us then I think we have a serious option going all the way.”
One of the new players to have made the squad this season and worthy recognition for his performances for the Reds is Murray Westren, younger brother of Cornish All Blacks centre Ryan. “I would love to have a chance to play it’s my first call up to the county squad. My brother has played all the age groups and for the senior side, myself as a latecomer to the game this is first time I have been involved in a county side at any level.
“It’s a big squad but I’ll just have to see how things pan out a lot can happen as the games are close together if a chance comes my way I will take it
“I’ve had a chance to prove my worth at Redruth this season moving from full back to the fly-half role has been a challenge but I feel that it’s now my preferred position on the park.
“It would be nice to play on the same side as my brother as we always seem to play against each other, I think Dad would be pretty chuffed too!
Posted 24th February 2014
As members started to arrive at the Ponsmeere Hotel on Saturday 22nd February or were watching England v Ireland at the Watering Hole at Perranporth, it was noticed that the Coastguards were cordoning off a large section of the beach. It wasn’t long after the mystery was solved and the Royal Navy Bomb Disposal Squad arrived to detonate a war-time device washed ashore in the winter storms.
Graham Dawe addresses diners at the TASC Dinner-Dance
Our evening together was conducted by our Press Officer, Bill Hooper, who stood in for convalescing Secretary Ian Gordon. Bill also wished a speedy recovery to Hugh Penna and Richard Major, both regular supporters of the Dinner, who are also convalescing from recent illness.
Neil Plummer sang grace in Cornish, after which an excellent three-course meal was served by the Ponsmeere, and enjoyed by all. Following the meal the Loyal Toast to the Duke of Cornwall was given by Vice-Chairman Dave Broadhurst, and Ian Morgan responded with a toast to Trelawny’s Army.
Bill thanked members for their support of this year’s Dinner and introduced guest speakers Graham Dawe and Ian Morgan.
Ian addressed the diners with an enlightening view of the Cornwall Under 20 Squad. He was impressed with the professionalism and passion demonstrated by the 45 or so players at their training sessions and expressed high hopes for a positive result at Penryn the following day.
Graham Dawe followed with his talk, reflecting on his time as a player and the importance of rugby and the pride and passion of the people of Cornwall for the County Team. He also took questions, including those on the 1991 County Final in which played.
Following the guest speakers, a number of presentations were made. The Men’s Bowling Trophy was awarded to Kevin Head and the Ladies, by proxy, to Gemma Allen. The Club also presented County Shield Cufflinks to our guest speakers and bouquets to their wives.
Before retiring to the Main Bar, Chairman Phil Trevarton thanked the staff and management of the Ponsmeere for their excellent service, Carol Seymour for organising this years’ event, and also Viv Broadhurst for assisting Carol, who greatly appreciates her support.
The entertainment this year for the first time saw the 4 Buccas serenade the assembled members with a number of traditional songs. Later in the evening, Shaky’s Goldmine Disco entertained the “movers and shakers” and at the end Chairman Phil Trevarton led the finale with his now famous rendition trio of “Singing in the Rain”, “Allouette” and the “Yogi Bear Song”
As always, everyone was very generous with the raffle, not only in donating many lovely prices but also in buying the tickets. Our thanks to everyone.
Everyone had a great time and we all look forward to the 22nd Dinner & Dance.
Posted 18th February 2014
Cornwall go into next Sunday’s decisive group game against Devon at Penryn’s Memorial Ground knowing that a win against their opponents will land them a home quarter-final to be played towards the end of March.
The Cornish youngsters will hope to repeat the result the last time Cornwall played Devon on Cornish soil at Hayle in 2012 when the young black and golds ran out winners by 24 points to 23.
The selectors have been forced to make a couple of changes to the side that won a thrilling match 37 – 35 against Dorset and Wilts last month due to unavailability.
Devon, for whom this is their opening fixture in the group, come into the game on the back of an encouraging warm up win against England Colleges 19-15 at the Brickfields last month and as ever will provide formidable opposition.
The Cornish players are due to meet at Penryn to complete important pre match formalities including presentations by Kenny Plummer Cornwall RFU President and the squad photo.
CRFU President Ken Plummer said “This will be a tough test for these youngsters who fought bravely to record a win in their first game.” He went on to say “I am sure Captain Todd Prisk and his team will be striving for a win to take us into the quarter-finals.”
Coaches Ian Morgan Mike Rawlings and Brynn Jenkins have built an excellent squad ethic and a pride in wearing the black and gold. A good result against Devon will define where this squad goes next.
Coach Ian Morgan said – “Huge credit has to go to the lads, they have really committed to what we are trying do, it’s such a young side, which showed last week by the issue of 16 ties to the squad, that’s an incredible amount of inexperience, but it didn’t show. They stuck to the task, right up to the last kick and full credit to Connor Swan for calmly slotting it. It was a great start to the campaign, but we have a very tough task ahead, Devon will always be up for it, so hopefully we take this confidence forward and get the win. The lads deserve to progress, they have worked really hard and shown some real pride in the badge.”
Colin Hatch and his back room team have ensured that the Cornish lads have all they need to set up this latest encounter between the two counties.
Players will also be hoping to catch the eye of South West Divisional selectors with a view to selection for the England Counties Under 20’s.
Support for the Cornish team would be much appreciated at Penryn on Sunday with kick-off at 2-30 pm. Entry is only £2-00 with program.
Cornwall U.20: Jack Kessell (St. Ives), Luke Tidball (Truro), Sam Chapman (Cornish All Blacks), Ashley Taylor (St. Austell), Bradley Janes (Truro College), Rhys Brownfield (Pirates Amateurs/Bath Uni), Sam Fox (Wadebridge Camels); Joe Martin (Truro) Jack Innard, (Truro College), Tyler Gendall (St Ives), Todd Prisk (St. Ives) (Capt), Harry Baker (Redruth), Neil Stenleick (St. Ives), Johnny Haines (Cornish All Blacks), Brad Howe (Helston/Truro College)
Replacements: Liam McFarland (Pirates Amateurs), Sam Rodda (Newquay Hornets), Luke Hattam (Redruth/Truro College), Neil Broadbank (Exeter Uni/Redruth), Jordan Duke (Cornish All Blacks) Ben Tharme (Cornish All Blacks), Jack Willey (Truro College/Penryn)
Reserves to attend: Oliver Reynolds (Camborne), Stefan Osborne (Pirates Amateurs)
Posted 11th February 2014
It was very fitting that Redruth Rugby Club had chosen Calcutta Cup weekend to present Redruth rugby legend Richard Sharp with the very first Redruth Player’s Cap in the club lounge — which appropriately is named after him.
Redruth Club President Derek Collins (right) makes the presentation to Richard Sharp.
In 1963, Sharp who captained England in their championship-winning 5 Nations campaign of that year, scored a memorable individual try in the Calcutta Cup match against Scotland at Twickenham which clinched both the Cup and the title.
It’s a try that has been long talked about by Cornish rugby followers and is held in as much esteem as the try scored by another famous son of Redruth — Bert Solomon’s against Wales in 1910, some fifty years before Sharp’s great score.
Sharp set off on a diagonal run off a pass from his scrum half. His elegant figure cut a swath through the Scottish defence, who fell for his dummy passes as he ghosted through the Scottish cover to the line.
Sharp played a total of fourteen times for England, winning his last cap in 1967 against Australia at Twickenham.
Redruth club President Derek Collins made the presentation to Sharp, who was delighted with his cap. “I have had to wait 60 years for this!” he joked with the assembled audience. The occasion brought back many happy memories of not only playing for Redruth and his many friends at the club but also of watching them as a child growing up in Clinton Road.
“All I ever wanted to do was play for Redruth. I would come down on a Saturday to watch my heroes playing. Billy Phillips, Frank Partridge were amongst those I admired the most. It was a great thrill for me when I eventually played for Redruth as a seventeen year old schoolboy. I was so proud to follow in their footsteps.
Apart from Redruth and Oxford University, Sharp also played club rugby for Bristol and Wasps, as well as playing county rugby for Cornwall. He was also invited to play for the Barbarians and toured South Africa with the British Lions in 1962. Though his tour was cut short after he suffered an horrific injury in the final tour game leading up to the first test against the Springboks.
He still takes a keen interest in the modern game and confided to me that he is watching the progress of fellow Cornishman Jack Nowell with keen interest. “I thought he had a very good game against France and I am delighted he has kept his place for the game against Scotland at Murrayfield. I wish him the very best.”
A Redruth Club statement read: The Club is delighted to announce that in association with William Porter Fine Caps all First XV players and ex-players or their families are able to purchase personally embroidered Redruth First XV Honours caps.
This beautiful handmade cap upholds all of the finest British sporting traditions, tailored to an original English pattern using traditional materials and techniques. Hand embroidered onto the finest blended velvet silk, finished with military silver wire lace and tassel, each cap is unique and produced in Cornwall.
Each cap is embroidered with the individual player name, initials and the year they were first capped. This cap is a magnificent gift for players past or present and a unique memento of your playing days.
Applications are also welcome for players who have sadly passed on.
Your cap will be professionally framed and mounted in a deep box frame with a personalised Redruth RFC citation.
Your application will be assessed by Redruth RFC prior to manufacture. In the event of your application being deemed ineligible, you will be contacted and receive a full refund.
Applications will close at midnight on March 22nd 2014. Delivery is expected to be 6-8 weeks from this date.
The cost is £119-98.
To order, please go to www.Williamporter.co.uk and click on the Redruth link. Alternatively, for all enquiries please ring 07824 865351.
A good article on Richard Sharp written last year by Robert Kitson of the Guardian:
The forgotten story of ... Richard Sharp | Robert Kitson | Sport | The Guardian
Posted 30th January 2014
Congratulations to Newlyn’s Jack Nowell, who on Saturday 1st February will gain his first full England cap against France in the Stade de France.
Jack Nowell, who gets his first England call up. Photo courtesy Exeter Chiefs.
Nowell, a product of Penzance & Newlyn mini-juniors and Truro College, burst onto the scene with his club Exeter Chiefs last season and was a member of the England Under 20 side crowned World Champions in Vannes, Brittany, last summer, when they defeated Wales in the final.
He cut his teeth in senior rugby with a season at Redruth when they were still a National League 1 club. At just 16 years old, it was clear then that he had a big future ahead of him.
This season further mature performances, especially in Europe, notably against Heineken Cup Champions Toulon, Cardiff Blues, and Glasgow have propelled him into a starting berth in Stuart Lancaster’s England team.
Nowell becomes the latest Cornish three-quarter to win an international cap. Recent times have seen Olly Barkley, Tom Voyce and, a little further back, Chris Martin all capped for England, whilst more recently Josh Matavesi has been capped for Fiji.
Cornwall captain, Launceston’s Ben Hilton, will start for England Counties against France Fédérale in Nevers on Friday evening.
Another player with Cornish connections, Jamal Ford-Robinson (Cambridge), will be on the bench.
Cornish Pirates’ Joel Conlon will start for England U.20’s against France in Draguignan, whilst Rob Coote will be on the bench for England Students against French Universities in Blos, and Lauren Chenoweth will play at inside centre for England Women U.20’s against their French counterparts in Beauvais on Saturday lunchtime.
We wish “One and All” Bon Chance!
Posted 28th January 2014
Coach Tom Rawlings has named his squad for Cornwall’s opening Under 20 County Championship fixture against Dorset & Wilts at North Dorset RFC this coming Sunday, 2nd February, kick-off 2-30 pm.
The bus leaves at 8-30 pm on Sunday morning, picking up through the county and beyond for the trip to Dorset, which might lead hopefully all the way to an eventual Twickenham final!
Team Secretary Chris Lea said. “We will have boys playing for Truro College in Wales on Saturday, clubs in rearranged games due to the weather and, of course, while we are pleased for the players, some have just received playing contracts at the Exeter Chiefs.
“Having said that, we have assembled a good squad and the 'back room' of Colin Hatch and Paul Hurrell have provided Tom with a good mix of club and college players to go to North Dorset this weekend.
“Mike Rawlings and Bryn Jenkins, as well as Ian Morgan under the direction of Tom Rawlings, have developed this squad and the potential within the county is good. A strong and mobile pack with experience in the form of Todd Prisk, Tyler Gendall and Neil Steinlake, as well as last year's captain, and TASC U.20 Player of the Year, Neil Broadbank, is a good basis. There is plenty of pace in the backs, with Rhys Brownfield and Sam Chapman returning for a second season.”
CORNWALL U.20 SQUAD:
Forwards: Tyler Gendall, Todd Prisk, Neil Steinlake (all St Ives), Tommy Phillips (Truro College), Liam McFaddon (Pirates Ams), Luke Hatton (Redruth/Truro College), John Haines (CAB’s), Brad Howe (Redruth/Truro College), Harry Baker (Redruth), Neil Broadbank (Redruth & Exeter Uni), Jordan Duke (CAB), Joe Martin (Truro), Sam Rodda (Newquay Hornets)
Backs: Stephan Osborne (Pirates Ams), Rhys Brownfield (Pirates Ams & Bath Uni), Sam Chapman. (CAB’s), Tom Holdsworth , Connor Swann (both Truro College), Luke Tidball. (Truro), James Briant (Camborne), Ashley Taylor (St Austell), Jack Willey (Penryn), Sam Fox (Wadebridge), Jack Kessall (St Ives)
Posted 18th January 2014
The Cornish Pirates have been left sweating on landing a home quarter-final in the British & Irish Cup after late drama in their final Pool 6 qualifier against Ulster Ravens in Belfast on Friday night, writes Dick Straughan.
A converted try in stoppage time at the end of the game handed the Irish side a 27-23 win in a tense affair which the Pirates led for most of the game.
The result now means that the Cornish side could be forced onto the road again in the next round if London Scottish beat London Welsh.
The task for the Scots will be tough as they need to beat the Welsh by 33 clear points and score four tries, and the game may yet be postponed closer to Saturday’s scheduled kick-off time due to the state of the pitch in Richmond.
Back in Belfast, the Pirates went behind to an early James McKinney penalty but on a chilly evening in Northern Ireland took the lead after 15 minutes when Matt Evans rounded off a move featuring Mike Pope and Alex Dancer to score the opening try. Angus Sinclair converted.
The Australian fly-half added two penalties to extend the lead before a converted try right on half-time got the Ravens back into the game.
Following sustained pressure early in the second half, a further Pirates’ try from back row Joe Atkinson, converted by Sinclair, made it 20-10 to the Pirates.
Centre Stuart McCloskey replied with a second home try, converted by McKinney on the hour mark, and with just 8 minutes to play McKinney leveled the scores with a penalty.
Alex Dancer’s place kick put the Pirates back in front two minutes later, but after a final flurry from the home team the Pirates were forced to take just a losing bonus point from the game as Ulster scrambled to their third try at the death.
Ulster Ravens: Nelson, Scholes, Andrew, McCloskey, Busby, McKinney, Heaney; McCall, Annett, Macklin, Stevenson (capt), McComb, Joyce, Dow, McComish
Replacements: Jackson, Warwick, Cromie, Campbell, Atkinson, Shanahan, Adair
Cornish Pirates: Evans, Goss, Riley, Dancer, Moyle, Sinclair, Pope; Davies, Carpenter (capt), Cahill, Patrick, Graulich, Parker, Atkinson, Duncan
Replacements: Channon, Andrew, Barry, Bolwell, Kessell, Hendrickson, Bodilly
Pirates’ scorers: tries Evans, Atkinson; cons Sinclair (2); pens Sinclair (2), Dancer
Referee: L Linton (SRU)
Posted 13th January 2014
The Cornish Pirates secured a home quarter-final in the British and Irish Cup with a hard-fought 28-21 victory over Ayr at the Mennaye Field on Sunday.
Both sides fought the elements, as well as each other, to produce an entertaining game in some of the wettest conditions seen on the Pirates’ home turf this season.
Indeed, it was perhaps a few too many errors that prevented the Cornish side from earning a fifth bonus-point win out of five in the competition – they instead had to settle for four points, with the Scottish outfit deservedly taking a losing bonus point.
Forwards Jack Andrew and Aaron Carpenter were the Pirates’ try-scorers, with a third coming from a penalty try, awarded while the Scottish champions were down to 14 men in the second half.
But it was Pirates who came under pressure in the early stages of the match. They were unable to clear their lines before full-back Robbie Ferguson completed a swift move down the left. Fly-half Finn Russell added the conversion to set up a seven-point lead after just three minutes.
Pirates responded well with a try of their own through Andrew, and took the lead when Craig Holland added a conversion and a penalty soon afterwards.
However, Ayr nudged back in front through two penalties, first through Russell and then from long distance by centre Mark Bennett with the strong wind at his back.
Pirates battled on and went in front again with a try off a ruck by Canadian captain Carpenter. Holland was unable to add the conversion, so Russell’s second penalty just before the break ensured his side led by a single point at the half-time break.
The Pirates’ full-back did slightly better within three minutes of the restart, slotting a penalty kick straight between the posts to put the Cornish side back in front.
An excellent kick to the corner by Angus Sinclair put the visitors under pressure near their own line and Pirates’ catch-and-drive was cynically stopped by flanker Andrew Dunlop, who was shown a yellow card for killing the ball.
A penalty try soon followed, converted by Holland, and suddenly the hosts were in a commanding position. Indeed, their lead grew to 12 points with another Holland penalty.
A mistake by Pirates’ wing Mike Pope, keeping the ball in play only for Ayr to steal it following a kick down field, allowed Craig Gossman to charge clear down the touchline for an unconverted try.
Another 15 minutes’ play failed to yield further points for Pirates but there was a pleasing 20 minutes of game time for former Redruth No.8 Tom Duncan, who came on in place of Neale Patrick in the second half. Tom Riley also came off the bench to make his 50th appearance for the Pirates.
Whether those men feature in the final Pool Six match in Ulster this weekend remains to be seen, but the club’s first home game of 2014 offered fans plenty of cause for optimism over the months ahead.