Cornish Pirates 'still in play-off fight' - Cattle

Cornish Pirates are "still in the fight" for the Champ play-offs after an impressive 57-21 win over rivals Chinnor, according to joint-head coach Gavin Cattle.

The nine-try victory at the Mennaye ended a two-game losing run and moved the Pirates into sixth place in the table - the final place in the play-off berths.

The victory also moves the Pirates to within three points of fifth-placed Chinnor with three games to play.

"We said at the start of the week that it was a bit like a cup final for us, and I think we approached it that way," Cattle told BBC Radio Cornwall.

"We know we've still got work to do, but we're still in the fight, and that was the outcome we wanted for this week.

"To accumulate that amount of points against a dogged side - they kept coming back at us and I was a little bit worried at one point because the bonus points matter at this stage as well - but to keep them out at the end with a bench unloaded was pivotal as well."

Morgan Nelson's try gave Pirates a 14th-minute lead but Harry Dugmore made it 7-7 midway through the first half.

But Pirates secured a bonus point before half-time as Harry Yates crossed twice - either side of an Iwan Price-Thomas try - as they led 24-7 at the break.

Arthur Relton got the hosts' fifth try nine minutes into the second half, and Will Becconsall got a sixth soon after.

Freddie Owsley cut the gap, but Chester Ribbons extended Pirates' lead before Grant Hughes got Chinnor's third and final try soon after. Alex Everett scored the home side's ninth try late on.

Pirates travel to unbeaten league leaders Ealing next week before hosting fourth-placed Coventry and finishing the regular season with a trip to seventh-placed Hartpury.

"I think it'll potentially come down to that last game," added Cattle.

"We've just got to maximise the points where we can, the task is clear. Today they showed that backs against the wall we can perform, so hopefully, we can draw a bit of confidence from that and keep fighting."