Cornish Pirates 31 Coventry 26 - Arrrr...Cornish Comeback Cripples Coventry

Laugh when he jokes, slap him when he chokes

It's time to give up the smokes

And ohh when he cries don't wipe his eyes

Take the wine from the swine

And remind him of his crimes

Welcome to the cheap seats

Welcome to the cheap seats...

...Welcome to the cheap seats

Where your life's seen through cracked spectacles

Welcome to the Cheap Seats - The Wonder Stuff

First rant of the new blog coming up...

...and it's not even directed at the club.

No, the target for this tirade is yesterday's opponents, Cornish Pirates.

Or to be exact, the 'commentary' team who hosted the live stream that enabled us stay-at-homes to watch the game without the hassle or expense of the long trek down to Penzance.

Don't get me wrong, the fact that Pirates offer a live video stream of every home game is hugely commendable and something that other clubs should seriously consider introducing. The club has, laudably, recognised that given their relative geographical isolation, most away supporters would need to make an overnight stop, something that immediately precludes a visit to the Mennaye for the majority. I've done it a couple of times and it is well worth a visit as everyone (or almost everyone - see later :) ) is welcoming and friendly, but it is a long, long way to go, even from Coventry, let alone Doncaster or Caldy.

So I was more than happy to splash the cash, all £7 of it, to watch the game - good value these days even if the picture did break down on a couple of occasions.

However, the experience was spoiled somewhat by the puerile behaviour of the two commentators whose 'banter' detracted totally from the enjoyment of an otherwise enthralling game. Both sides left everything on the pitch, with Pirates just about deserving the win in the end after a barnstorming second half display, having been blown away early doors by the pace and attacking nous of a Coventry side that had looked good value for a 4 try, 12 point lead at half time.

I totally get that the live stream would have been watched by a good few Pirates' supporters too, but it is also available to the rest of the Championship and beyond. It might only have cost a few quid to watch but in paying for the privilege, those watching have the right to expect a little more in the way of commentary and analysis than we witnessed yesterday. It was like listening to two teenage kids coming across a copy of 'Mayfair' for the first time (does it still exist???!)...on many occasions their reactions were childish and crass and there was little awareness of audience shown, especially to those outside of the Pirates' fraternity.

What was particularly galling was that during the second half, in the background, one could comfortably make out the PA, repeatedly admonishing James Tyas for not sitting in the 'official' sin bin after being yellow-carded, at one point even suggesting he was letting down his club by his actions. Not the sort of comment you'd expect from a PA, although listening to Little and Large yesterday, it's would appear to be precisely the sort of thing that happens on a regular basis at the Mennaye.

And surely, surely, if JT was out of order, it's something that should fall to the fourth official to sort out, not some officious sounding public announcer? He's probably a very nice bloke, but over the live stream he sounded as if he was seconded from the RFU Committee and someone with whom Will Carling might have been particularly acquainted with in seasons past.

I would fervently maintain that the two clowns who were presenting the live feed did far more to undermine the respect many have for the Pirates than anything James Tyas did to undermine Cov's reputation..

Rant over...

As far as the game went, well Cov can have few complaints really. After such a strong showing in the first half, they capitulated somewhat in the second and whilst Pirates grew in confidence as the game entered its final quarter, it all began to look a bit ominous for those of us whose colours were pinned to the Coventry mast.

Mennaye Field living up to its name?

What I haven't heard said, and I really do think it was a big factor in Coventry's second half showing, is the effect the condition the pitch had on Coventry as the game went on. Cov are used to playing a high tempo game on an artificial surface and indeed they played with real pace for the first 30 minutes, so much so that Pirates just couldn't live with them for much of the first half.

But almost inevitably the muddy conditions began to take their toll. The Coventry players started to puff and blow as the Pirates' forwards took control and rumbled their way into a narrow but decisive lead. Coventry certainly didn't help themselves at times with some poor handling and players were left isolated in the breakdown. 14 penalties conceded (from TRP) is just too many, especially when a couple of those led to kicks into the corner and the inevitable catch a drive resulted in 12 conceded. By comparison, Pirates conceded just 8.

In pulling down Pirates' drives close to the line mid-way through the second half, Cov suffered two yellow cards (Tyas and Briggs) in a five minute period that turned the game. Cov were able to stem the flow a little, but Pirates were always in the ascendency after that and Cov were left chasing the game in the final 15 minutes. Pirates' 'finishers' did just that and once Cov's first choice front row left the field, Pirates' scrum was totally dominant, so much so that when given the option of a lineout or scrum, Cov were forced into opting for the throw as a scrum was of no advantage to them, even on their own put in.

It was a frustrating end to what had been a pretty good Coventry performance overall, even allowing for the final 30 minutes or so. There were plenty of positives for me despite the defeat. Chudley again looked a class apart and much of Coventry's attacking play in the first half was the result of his eye for a gap (Chudley was The Rugby Paper's 'Man of the Match'). Pellegrini's first game in several weeks saw him make a slow but assured start and he seemed to get stronger as the game went on; his break in the final minutes of the second half almost won us the points.

The loss of Dodd after just 17 minutes was a big blow, as was conceding a try (their second) with the final play of the first half. Neither helped Cov's cause at all and although Pirates didn't score their third try until the 61st minute, by then the momentum was very much with them and it was little surprise that Pirates scored again just 5 minutes later - a penalty try at that.

For the second week running, Alex Rae's post-match comments refer to his 'disappointment' at the result. Last week it was because Coventry failed to put London Scottish to the sword, despite a 5 point win, this week it was because Cov weren't able to capitalise on what had been a very impressive first half display against a side that is notoriously difficult to beat on their home turf (or mud in this instance).

Speaking to The Rugby Paper, Rae said:

For 50 minutes we played some brilliant rugby...but I'm disappointed with how we finished the game. It's something to work on.

Indeed it is, but given the same conditions next Saturday against Caldy can't be replicated, I'm sure Cov won't tire in quite the degree they did yesterday.

Yes, Cov supporters watching the game will have been disappointed that the team struggled so much in the final 25-30 minutes, but in the past couple of seasons we haven't been close to getting ourselves into a winning position down there. Yes, Pirates are inconsistent at the moment, but Coventry continue to make progress this season even in defeat (only Jersey and Ealing have really done us over in the league?).

In the end it was a hard watch, but Cov's first half performance was enough to make it all worthwhile, even if it did mean having to put up with a commentary that was as facile as it was irritating.

I'm not sure Pirates realise just how poor they commentary was - if they do, then I hope they're seriously embarrassed.

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