By ANDI STARR
WINS at Cornish Pirates are rare for Nottingham, and
earned the hard way, but despite a brave effort they had to settle
for a losing bonus point.
That will be of little consolation to the Green and Whites on
their long journey home after the 11-10 defeat, but this was a game
more likely to be remembered for the conditions than the quality of
the rugby.
In such conditions it was difficult for either side to establish
any real pattern, and impossible for either to play their favoured
running game.
It was a day when forwards doing everything to keep the ball was
just about the limit of expectation, with backs generally reduced
to little more than a rather cold watching brief.
The battle between the two sets of forwards was nothing less
than full-blooded though - imagine the England v South Africa game
of a week earlier played in a mudbath and you get close to the
picture.
A James Arlidge penalty put Nottingham in front in the fourth
minute as they managed to dominate early possession.
Although Keiron Hallett levelled with a penalty soon after, that
early dominance brought a try from a catch and drive at a close
range lineout, skipper Brent Wilson getting the touch down and
Arlidge making it 10-3 with the conversion on fourteen minutes.
But Pirates gradually worked their way back into the game and
with half time approaching they forced their way over the line with
hooker Rob Elloway getting the try.
Hallett was off-target with the conversion and so the sides went
in for a well-earned break, and a change of shirts, with Nottingham
leading 10-8.
With conditions deteriorating both kickers struggled to keep
their feet and consequently missed penalties they would normally
expect to land with ease, although Hallett did manage to edge
Pirates in front by a single point with what proved to be the last
score of the day.
Some excellent defence from Nottingham during a long spell of
pressure from the home side deserved particular credit, and on
another day might have turned the game in their favour.
But it wasn't to be, and although they mounted a late charge
they could not work their way into a position to force another
score.