RFU Championship: Cornish Pirates 28-24 Jersey

Cornish Pirates produced a strong second-half display to overcome Jersey 28-24 on the closing day of the Championship season.

The Islanders led 17-6 at half-time thanks to a penalty-try and Ed Dawson's score, with two Kieran Hallett penalties in reply.

Four Hallett penalties along with tries from Phil Burgess and Paul Andrew put the hosts in control.

Michael Le Bourgeois crossed for Jersey to grab a losing bonus-point.

Pirates' victory books their place in sixth, while the Islanders end their first ever campaign in the second tier in 11th, one above relegated Doncaster Knights.

Jersey had faced early pressure at the Mennaye and went behind to Hallett's penalty.

But with Gary Johnson and Burgess both in the sin-bin for the Pirates, Jersey drove towards the try-line, keeping the ball in the forwards, and referee Tom Foley awarded the penalty-try.

Confidence within the Jersey side grew, just as it has over the course of the season, and Dawson went over before the break after good work from scrum-half Dave McCormack.

After half-time though the home side found another gear as Jersey were all too often penalised at the scrum.

Hallett was accurate with the boot, and tries from Burgess and Andrew, on their final appearances, helped open up a 28-17 lead.

With time ticking away Le Bourgeois had the final say, touching down beneath the posts to seal a bonus-point and then drop-kicking the conversion with the last touch of the season.

After the game it was revealed three Pirates players - Ben Maidment, Grant Pointer and Aaron Penberthy - are poised to join Jersey for next season.