Pritchard Scores Four as Pirates Rout Doncaster in Opener
Replacement hooker Matt Pritchard scored four second-half tries as Cornish Pirates opened their Champ season with a 45-19 win over Doncaster Knights at Mennaye Field on Sunday, 20 September, according to BBC Sport.
Pirates led 19-12 at half-time. Dan Hiscocks, Arthur Relton and Morgan Nelson all crossed for the home side in the first half, with each try worth five points for grounding the ball over the line. Nathan Langdon and Jasper McGuire replied for Doncaster to keep the visitors in touch.
Doncaster did not fold. McGuire struck again two minutes after the restart to level the scores at 19-19. Then Pritchard took over.
The hooker — the front-row forward in the middle of the scrum — came off the bench to score in the 50th minute. He then added three more in a 12-minute spell from the 62nd minute to blow the game open and seal the win for joint-head coach Alan Paver's side.
The result puts Pirates level at the top of the Champ table with Worcester Warriors and Ealing. All three won their openers with a bonus point, the extra league point awarded for scoring four or more tries, according to BBC Sport.
What makes this stand out is the timing. Pirates were pegged back early in the second half and needed momentum. Pritchard provided it in one ruthless burst that turned a level contest into a comfortable home victory to start the season.
