In the local press, Otley had openly fancied their chances against a Pirate side that as yet, simply hasn't galvanised into a consistent, cohesive unit. On paper, and when comparing the respective budgets and ambitions, this would have seemed a fanciful belief. And yet as the visitors seemingly breathed a sigh of relief as Vakacegu switched on the afterburners wide out right, and dotted down the Cornishmen's 5th try with a little over ten minutes remaining; most sensible observers would have called time on any such dreams.

But the Yorkshireman dug deep, and threw any remaining caution to the wind as firstly Parsons went over for his 2nd try in quick time; and then coming frighteningly close to causing a real upset with a last gasp touchdown as they tried to capitalise on Seal's late dismissal for a challenge off the ball.

The fact they didn't was down as much to Mr Wigglesworth perhaps taking pity on the Pirates, as it was to their desparate if ultimately dogged defence on the line. Mercifully then there was to be no repeat of that infamous afternoon at Sedgeley Park almost 4 years ago, which saw a fancied Pirates side squander a comfortable lead at the death; also costing Kevin Moseley his job in the process. Such comparisons are of course hopefully premature, but the fact remains that the inertia that beckons if some real soul searching isn't applied and honestly, will have serious implications.

It hadn't begun that well either although it shouldn't surprise that Otley came out with intent of their own. For all the probing though it took the thick end of ten minutes before the first real scoring opportunity which forced a fine try saving tackle by Winnan on Smith in the corner. A missed penalty soon after by Kitching was forgotten almost immediatley, as Baldwin capitalised on a cheap turnover to go over for thes first try of the afternoon. Kitching promptly missed the conversion but the honours in the first quarter were deservedly in Otley's favour 5-0.

Bedes then provided the first real spark from the visitors as the Pirates at last made their way up the hill and with the sun in their eyes into Otley's 22. His surge was ultimately thwarted but the attack rekindled and quick hands to Havili out on the right only had one outcome. Jones made no mistake with the extras and there was at last some warmth in the early autumn sun.

Rhodes' first kick at goal five minutes later temporarily restored the hosts lead, but even a missed penalty by Jones on the half hour did little to deter the Pirates who finished the half the stronger. Two converted tries from Burak and Elloway sandwiched a second penalty from the Otley fly half and appeared to give the Cornishmen some breathing space. Statler & Waldorf's complaints from behind fell on deaf ears and so it was that the Pirates could sip on afternoon tea relieved perhaps to find themselves 21-11 up.

Any avalanche after the break proved elusive, as despite some promising passages of play, a combination of some borderline defence and unforced errors denied any immediate troubling of the scorers.

Mr Wigglesworth's patience though had been pushed too far as Otley finally looked to be creaking under the onslaught. Bland thus found himself strolling off into the sunset for ten, as the hour mark drew closer for an infringement at scrum time. The Pirates pounced immediately and Havili exploited the gap out wide once more, this time on the left in the shadow of the main stand.

Otley wouldn't lie down though and soon after his introduction, Parsons raised home fans' hopes with a well worked try five minues later; only to seemingly have their hopes dashed by Vakacegu's third try in Pirate colours.

A thirteen point cushion signalled a flurry of substitutions from both benches as the result seemed to be cruising to a conclusion. The rest as they say is history and will explain how Hewitts post match debrief matched the colour of the cloudless sky, and with justification.

The Pirates kicking game from hand was for long periods woeful, and only served to put themselves under pressure that otherwise wouldn't have existed.

Concerns too about the 10 shirt have been prolonged. Although to be fair a clearly upset and frustrated Jones post match, spoke volumes about his own disappointments.

Winnan's form too looks to be suffering from the strains that captaincy can create. Under the high ball he was as safe as ever, but elsewhere there were occasions where he fell short of his usual high standards.

There were moments of individual brilliance to cheer and endeavour to applaud, but it would seem Monday's post match video analysis will....should not be for the faint hearted.

The spectre of Nottingham looms on the horizon and there can be little doubt that anything less than a full on reception will be exploited and the repurcussions of that dare not be contemplated.

Cornish Pirates: 31
15 A. Winnan (capt) 14 M. Vakacegu 11 A. Havili
13 P. Devlin 12 T. Luke
10 R. Jones 9 E. Fairhurst
8 B. Bedes 7 I. Motusaga 6 B. Cumming
5 B. Gulliver 4 M. Burak
3 S. Heard 2 R. Elloway 1 A. Paver

Replacements:
16 D. Seal 17 P. Cook 18 C. Morgan 19 H. Senekal 20 N. Griffiths 21 R. McAtee 22 S. Winn

Tries: Havili 2, Burak, Elloway, Vakacegu
Cons: Jones 3

Tries: Baldwin, Parsons 2
Cons: Rhodes 2
Pen: Rhodes 2