Cattle proud as Cornish Pirates push leaders Ealing

Gavin Cattle's side are one place out side the play-off spots [Getty Images]

Cornish Pirates joint-head coach Gavin Cattle says he is proud of his side in their 41-26 loss at unbeaten Champ leaders Ealing.

Pirates led 12-5 with 20 minutes to go before Ealing took advantage of a yellow card on Pirates fly-half Arwel Robson and scored six late tries.

The loss means Pirates drop to seventh place in the Champ with two games to play - they are three points off sixth-placed Hartpury who occupy the final play-off place and face Pirates on the final day of the season.

"We just know the depth that Ealing have got off the bench, we knew that was a danger," Cattle told BBC Radio Cornwall.

"We've got boys in their first year at this level learning their trade, but I'm really proud of the physical effort from one to 23.

"The boys ripped in, just Ealing added just a bit too much quality and have boys who are further down on their rugby journey and hence why they haven't lost game this season."

Toby Cousins gave Ealing a fifth-minute lead, but Milo Hallam's try made it 7-5 to Pirates after 27 minutes.

They increased their advantage to 12-7 when Matt Pritchard crossed 14 minutes after the break, but when Robson was sin-binned soon after Ealing took their chance.

Tom Collins, Conor Oliver, Sean Lonsdale and Mike Willemese crossed in an eight-minute period to turn the game in the home side's favour.

Sol Moody pulled a try back while Matty Ward also scored for the Pirates as Cousins and David Bridge went over for Ealing.

"To go in at half time ahead the boys were pretty buoyant obviously, but we knew then that there's going to be a reaction," added Cattle.

"We knew our task was to score four tries, whether that was winning or losing today, so we came away with a bonus point."

Related internet links

• Cornish Pirates