Cornish Pirates 'get out of jail' in Richmond win

Gavin Cattle's side have won their past five matches

Cornish Pirates used their "get out of jail free card" as they held on for a 28-19 victory over Richmond.

The bonus-point victory extended their winning run to five matches as Pirates consolidated fourth place in the Champ.

But they had to rely on a late Harry Yates try after Richmond had missed a second-half penalty to take the lead.

"That second half was all Richmond, they were camped in our half and played good field position," joint-head coach Gavin Cattle told BBC Radio Cornwall.

"Every time we were getting on top in defence it was hard to get possession and I think you've got to credit them for that.

"But we've used our get out of jail free card today I think."

Two tries from Dan Hiscocks either side of a Jack Forsythe score had seen Pirates lead 21-7 midway through the first half.

But Greg Kitson went over to make it 21-12 at the break before Luke Frost's try nine minutes after the restart made it 21-19.

Richmond missed the chance to go ahead as Pirates had Alfie Bell sin-binned after an hour.

But they held on and Yates got a try with seven minutes to go as the Mennaye breathed a sigh of relief.

"We started really well, got really quick out of the blocks and looked dangerous," added Cattle.

"I thought we were clinical, but we've got to be better at regaining momentum, so when we've got momentum we're pretty good, but it's then how we regain it back.

"I don't know what the ingredient was missing in that second half, they just looked like they were quicker to the scraps, their collision was good, our collision was off I felt.

"It's one of those ones where I think you need to take a deep breath and watch it back and get a better reflection."