Cornish Pirates beat leaders Coventry 21-19 to go second in Championship

Cornish Pirates captain John Stevens was among his side's try scorers

Cornish Pirates moved up to second place in the Championship after beating previous leaders Coventry 21-19.

Joe Elderkin cancelled out Will Rigg's early try as the two sides went into half time level at 7-7.

Skipper John Stevens was mauled over 13 minutes after the break before Ruaridh Dawson's 70-metre interception try made it 21-7 at Butts Park Arena.

James Martin pulled back an unconverted try back before Rich Lane scored in the final minutes as pirates held on.

The result sees Ealing move up to first place after they won at home to Doncaster - they are two points above the Pirates with the two sides due to meet in two weeks time.

"Some bits weren't pretty, but in terms of attitude, some defensive sets in that first half we absorbed a lot of pressure," Pirates joint-head coach Gavin Cattle told BBC Radio Cornwall.

"But I go back to the attitude and the endeavour and the chase backs, the no talent stuff that requires heart and desire and it was there in bucket loads.

"There was such good heart and such good defence. Our collision I thought was good, we talked about containing Coventry's tempo and I felt we did that for large periods in defence."