Cornish Pirates boss Ian Davies pleased with Bedford cup win

Will Carrick-Smith drew praise from Davies during just his third appearance of the season

Cornish Pirates boss Ian Davies has praised his fringe players after the club's 35-34 victory over Bedford in the British and Irish Cup.

The Pirates made 11 changes from the side which started the Championship win at Doncaster the previous week.

Bertie Hopkin scored his first try for the club, while Alex Dancer and Will Carrick-Smith also impressed.

"We want the squad to be deep and competition for places to be great," Davies told BBC Radio Cornwall.

"Bertie Hopkin came off the bench today, got 10 minutes and scored the winning try.

"Will Carrick-Smith had his best game for us, called the line-outs really well and really carried.

"He read the play particularly well in the line-out and made Bedford throw to areas they didn't really want to throw to, and that's what defence is about."

The Pirates won the game with a Kieran Hallett conversion from a tough angle after Hopkin's try.

"I though he was class today," Davies said of Hallett. "He's playing really well at the moment and he's got a couple of knocks at the moment.

"But we've got to rest him next week because we need him to be ready for our return to the Championship."