The Pirates welcomed Bramley 2’s to the JSG on a sunny, but very cold day in front of a large crowd. Team managers Al Brown and Fortress had gathered a good squad, but had to change plans with a couple of late dropouts. Early play saw the Pirates force a series of Bramley penalties, and Jack Hall, Rusty, Ryan and Fazz all been denied by strong Bramley defence, before Hall was stopped on the line and Irish whipped the ball wide for Ben Pye to cross in the corner. 5-0 10 mins. Next it was Bramley’s turn to put on the pressure, and following a series of close range penalties their big flanker crashed over for a converted try. 5-7 16 mins. Good link up play by Cal (on his 100th appearance) and Rhys Cory saw Rusty been stopped short and quick thinking Eddy picked up and drove over the line. 10-7 26 mins. Another sweeping Pirates move saw Cory and Ryan stopped short and again Eddy was quickest to react by scooping up the ball and driving over. This time Pye added the extras. 17-7 30 mins. Matt Audsley put Cal through a gap and Irish switched play blind to Hall who sold the Bramley full back a dummy before putting Pye over in the corner to make the half time score Pirates 22 Bramley 7.
Al Brown made several changes at half time, but the pattern of play was unaffected with the Pirates pressing the Bramley line. Another storming run from Thompson-Hall was stopped just short and Arron Kirkpatrick found Cal out wide to dive over for the try. 27-7 48 mins. Bramley responded when their flanker made a break and put the winger in for a converted try. 27-14 52 mins. Then right from the restart Bramley were right back in it with a long distance try finished by their winger. 27-19 54 mins. The Pirates tightened up again and with the scrum now working well, Will Cudworth spotted a gap to charge over from 22 metres with Pye adding the conversion. 34-19 66 mins. The Pirates were now in full flow, and another flowing move saw Jon Wiggins give the scoring pass to Thompson Hall to make the final score Pirates 39 Bramley 19.
This was probably the Pirates best performance of the season against a strong Bramley outfit, and saw the welcome return of several injured players. Next weekend the Pirates make the short trip to Ripon.
