Cornish Pirates overcame a stunning start from Plymouth Albion to take a pre-season victory at the Brickfields on Saturday afternoon.

In a game of two halves, the Pirates demonstrated their championship status as the highly competitive affair wore on.

Albion displayed excellent attacking intent in the opening 10 minutes, and they were rewarded for having set up camp in the opposition 22 when Harry Wilkinson drove over following a clinical maul.

Albion’s dominance continued from there, and further questions asked of the Pirates backline led to an excess of penalties conceded in the 22, resulting in a 10-minute sin bin for Harry Ascherl. Moments later, full advantage was taken of the numerical disparity, Morgan Eames bulleting over the line from a pick-and-go.

Then came the turn of the tide.

The Pirates gathered some momentum just under 10 minutes before the interval, Angus Mawson playing a delightful kick in behind for Henry Palmer to run onto, the latter scrambling over the line to get the visitors on the board and reduce the deficit to seven.

A rejuvenated Pirates shortly drew level after gaining precious momentum, Arwell Robinson running over following some strong work by Josh Radcliffe, the fly half converting his own try in a rapid turn of events to head to the sheds all square.

The Penzance side opened the second half exquisitely when some excellent hands down the line left the ball in the hands of Palmer, who calmly checked inside away from a tackle and nudged the away side ahead.

Pirates’ Angus Mawson was sin-binned for 10 minutes after tripping Iwan Jenkins off the ball, but this time the Pirates took no damage during the 10-minute dismissal, and instead grew their lead. Palmer was sent in the clear following another patient passing move.

As Albion pushed for a way back into the game, Mawson beautifully claimed a cross-field kick and ran clear to open up a 21-point advantage.

Huw Taylor pulled one back for Albion after some dogged work in the away side’s 22. That would prove Albion’s final act of defiance in an entertaining contest at the Brickfields, the Pirates coming away with a 35-21 win.

Albion will be in action next on Wednesday 26 August, hosting Exeter University, while the Pirates face Saracens at home on Saturday 28 in a 12:30 kick-off.

Line-Ups:

Plymouth Albion:

15. Bobby Wigginton

14. Oscar Stewart

13. Chris Preen

12. Archie Hill

11. Noah Fenton

10. Iwan Jenkins

9. Jack Oulton

1. James Kenny

2. Harry Wilkinson

3. Dan Pullinger

4. Huw Taylor

5. Morgan Eames

6. Jake Clemson

7. Sam Daly

8. Ben Moa

Replacements: Liam Bishop, Cameron Doak, Max Surry, Hudson Edkins, Angus Hodges, Jake Bond, Morgan Stone, Jack Statton, Henry Sellick, Ben Raivalita, Ben Saunders

Cornish Pirates:

15. Angus Mawson

14. Arthur Relton

13. Josh Radcliffe

12. Harry Ascherl

11. Henry Palmer

10. Arwell Robinson

9. Will Becconsall

1. Alessandro Heaney

2. Matt Pritchard

3. Tyler Gendall

4. Matt Cannon

5. Steele Barker

6. Alex Everett

7. Luke Ratcliff

8. Hugh Bokenham

Replacements:

Morgan Nelson, Jamie Clark, Alfie Petch, Josh King, Milo Hallam, Barnaby Elderkin, Jack Forsythe, Tomiwa Abongbon, Dan Hiscocks, Sam Cahill, Finn Love, Joe Elderkin