Cornish confidence was on a very low ebb even before the defeat to Doncaster's South Yorkshire neighbours, Rotherham. Doncaster had endured seven straight defeats to the Pirates since their elevation to National One in 2005 and were keen for some 'payback', and if truth be known this was easily their best chance to date in rectifying this statistic.

Expectations amongst the travelling faithful did inevitably nudge towards a home win, but there was an air of hope that kept nagging in the background that perhaps today a corner at the very least would be turned in terms of Pirates fortunes. They weren't to be disappointed, even as a 4th penalty by Lennard in the dying moments of a pulsating match tied things at 24 each and snatch a memorable victory from Cornish grasps.

Things had begun well too, as the opening exchanges on a bright day with a light breeze had belonged more or less exclusively to the Pirates who set about their task mainly in Doncaster territory. An early penalty miss by Jones, whilst Lennard's first successful goal attempt soon after did little to deter. On the contrary; as Jones' second attempt following the restart more than atoned and restored parity immediately. 3-3.

Spirit and determination, so notable at times by it's absence of late was clearly on show in Pirate ranks and in all areas of the pitch. The resulting pressure was just reward though Doncaster's defence was proving robust as Luke found out and fell victim to a clear obstruction when not in possession. As he received treatment a little momentum was lost but not sufficiently to trouble the visitors too greatly...just yet.

Winnan was looking more his old self and a trademark catch and counter eventually saw a great break by Tuohy who took play from just outside his 22 and into the Donny 10. This particular attack came to nothing but huge efforts by Morgan, Gulliver and later Heard punched big enough holes to surely signal a first Pirate try on the horizon.

If only. Against the general run of play until now, it was the home side who dotted down first following their first real incursion deep into Pirate territory. A catch and drive on their left flank after some 25 mins saw a strong maul formed allowing Grainger to emerge with the ball and the five points.

Lennard's conversion was sweetly struck, but he fell short of adding to this five minutes later, and so didn't add any further salt into Pirate wounds who could at least go in at the break only a score down at 3-10. A promising half for sure but still that concern that some self doubt could creep in if a reply wasn't forthcoming soonest.

Donny probably aware of this came out for the second period with guns-a-blazing and set about the task of destroying any Cornish belief. A sustained period of pressure from the whistle paid dividends as Lennard weaved a way through the red and black line over to the right hand side of the posts. His kick to extend the lead to two scores went wide of the uprights but it was now starting to look ominous...going by previous form.

The Pirates though were having none of this and embarked on a half of rugby that may just prove to be seminal in their fortunes for this season. Rather than giving out an aura of impending disaster, their response was one of purpose, composure and belief that showed.

Possession was soon regained after the restart and it was the pack who began to come to the fore to secure good ball for Fairhurst and Jones to make use. They didn't disappoint which enabled Luke to shine once more.

Three minutes later and a break by Devlin and Bedes on the right, saw McAtee able to bring the Pirates back into contention following two deft off-loads by the providers. Jones' conversion was good and with only five points in it the score was now far more reflective of proceedings thus far.

The Pirates sensed a good afternoon's work beckoned, but two further penalties in seven minutes from Lennard's boot did appear to dampen such thoughts. Not so the players who kept their nerve much to the delight of the very vocal support on the sidelines.

McAtee's second try of the game came after some good work on the left wing which allowed the Welsh 7's international a sprint to the line with only one outcome. His fellow countryman Jones was by now enjoying himself and slotted the extras with ease from the touchline to set up an exciting final fifteen minutes or so. 17-21.

With the bit between their teeth, Hewitt threw on Griffiths and Winn. Griffiths' impact was immediate with a break that brought play back into the Donny 22 and have the hosts rocking on their heels. The Yorkshiremen held firm, just, but traffic was all one way now.

Tuohy soon broke free with McAtee on his shoulder wide out left. The Irishman had time to signal where he wanted his support as the tackle loomed, only for it to go behind his recipient who was by then at full chat with a clear run ahead. It mattered not as the third was by now a given.

Jimmy Moore's introduction for McAtee only heightened the likelihood as he himself went on a damaging run with his first serious touch of the pill with ten minutes to go.

Still Donny refused to buckle but the pressure was beginning to tell. Several pairs of fresh legs were sent in to try an stem the flow and protect their slender four point lead, but could do little to prevent wave after wave of Pirate attacks.

Then came the moment when the visitors finally gained the upperhand numerically with barely two minutes left to play. The pack who'd battled well all afternoon finally took matters into their own hands under the posts with a sequence of phases that went nothing but forwards. Iva Motusaga saw his moment and stretched out to place the ball over the line to the delight of the team and the support. Jones all but back heeled the conversion blind fold and a major boost of a win was almost within Pirate grasp.

It seemed a case of holding onto the ball and running the clock down and, for what felt an age, this is exactly what happened. Until that was Mr Richards spotted some infringement inside the Pirate 10 in the home sides favour which Lennard duly hoofed over to level the scores.

There was still time for a restart and the jitters re-appeared...at least for those watching as the Pirates turned over possession from their own kick off and went in search of another winner. Play edged agonisingly towards the Donny 22 with Jones positioning himself in the pocket for the inevitable. Moments later, and with blue shirted defenders hurling themselves at his left foot, the Welshman connected boot to ball only to see his effort charged down leaving the ball still live.

Doncaster probably aware of it being the last chance set about trying to take play up to the other end in search of a result of their own. Possession was lost though and the Pirates once more pounded the opponents defence in search of territory.

Doncaster's Davies looked offside and was certainly being judged so by the touch judge in the shadow of the new stand under construction. Mr Richards thought otherwise and blew his whistle to end play there and then.

But do you know what? Despite the obvious invitation for criticism after what has gone before, it just wasn't necessary. This may well be the game that sees the Pirates season turn round positively and with good reason. On and off the pitch there smiles all round for what was a performance that warrants real praise. It wasn't perfect and maybe two points could be deemed to have been dropped had this been later on in the season. But in the context of what has passed since the Coventry game, this was for all intent and purpose a moral win.

Savour, enjoy and then from Monday onwards attention most soley be focussed towards Moseley and no further.

Cornish Pirates: 24
15 A. Winnan 14 B. Tuohy 11 R. McAtee
13 P. Devlin 12 T. Luke
10 R. Jones 9 E. Fairhurst
8 B. Bedes 7 I. Motusaga 6 C. Morgan
5 B. Gulliver (capt) 4 H. Senekal
3 S. Heard 2 R. Elloway 1 A. Paver

Replacements: All used
16 D. Dawidiuk 17 S. Franklin 18 P. Cook 19 M. Burak 20 N. Griffiths 21 S. Winn 22 J. Moore

Tries: McAtee (2) Motusaga
Con: Jones
Pens Jones (3)

Doncaster 24
15 A Carter 14 W Davies 11 D Van Vuuren
13 H Tonga'uiha 12 B Armitage
10 J Lennard 9 J Albinson
1 R List 2 S Boden 3 N Tau
4 D Smith 5 G Kenworthy ( Capt)
6 B Griffiths 7 S Grainger 8 J Afu

Replacements: 16 T Toke 17 T Davies 18 M Cusack 19 N Cochrane 20 C Hallam 21 A Warnock 22 G Hughes

Tries: Grainger, Lennard
Cons: Lennard
Pens: Lennard (4)

Referee: Dean Richards
Touch Judges: Brendan Fitzmaurice, Rob Sawyer

Attendance 1102

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