Cornish Pirates second best in 39-28 loss to Doncaster Knights, says Gavin Cattle

Kyle Moyle made a try-scoring return for Pirates after missing much of the start of the season with injury

Cornish Pirates joint-head coach Gavin Cattle says his side were second best in their 39-28 home loss to Doncaster Knights in the Championship.

Pirates conceded two tries in the opening five minutes as Fyn Brown and Harry Wilson scored for the Knights.

Tom Georgiou and Morgan Nelson replied but Ehize Ehizode's try saw Doncaster lead 25-14 at the break.

Ex-Pirate Maliq Holden and George Simpson scored in the first 20 minutes of the second half to seal the win.

Kyle Moyle scored a try before Alex Schwarz's last-minute score ensured a try-scoring bonus point for the Pirates, who stay fourth in the table, eight points off second-placed Doncaster.

"You've got to hand it to Doncaster in terms of the kick game, which was going to be a big part in these conditions, they absolutely dominated us," Cattle told BBC Radio Cornwall.

"Whether that was kick execution, aerial skills, composure, and when you're not getting out of your half you're just giving them time to build pressure.

"I thought there were aspects, especially in that first half, when we got territory and we could apply our game and we looked good.

"But the way we started the game from kick off, kick offs are causing us mayhem at the minute, and it's something we've focused on, so more work to be done."

Cattle added: "Ultimately we lost the pressure moments, whether it's a pressure pass to take space or the ball didn't go to hand, then you're chasing your tail a bit.

"You've got to credit Doncaster with their game plan, they executed better than us today, especially the kicking side of things."