RUGBY UNION: At a bleak and windswept Camborne the Tigers lost their 10th game of the season and conceded more than 50 points again – yet the scoreline belies a performance that had much more going for it.

With the scything wind at their backs in the first half they should have made more of the advantage; as it was the home side took the lead on three minutes via a Simon Whatling drop goal and a try with just seven minutes gone; prop Sam Heard being barged over from close range, goaled by Jimmy Moore.

The Tigers were then handed a one man advantage when Heard was yellow-carded but were unable to make anything of it. The closest they went was on 20 minutes when Phil Jones’ 43-metre penalty kick went just wide.

Back to full strength the Pirates were held-up over the Tigers’ line before moving the ball left to right on the half-hour where wing Aisea Havili touched down by the corner flag to make it 15-0.

It took the Tigers 31 minutes to breach the home 22 and then two minutes later they scored.

Glen Townson’s strong drive sucked in defenders and, when Phil Jones was given the ball, he spotted a gap and exploited it.

Fifteen metres out he looked to his left and there on his shoulder was prop Petrus Du Plessis, whose run from deep caught out the Pirates’ defence and he blazed his way to the posts to give Jones the easiest of conversions.

But slick passing ensured the Pirates extended their lead before the break as flanker Iva Motusaga crashed over to make it 20-7.

Within five minutes of the restart the Tigers were awarded a penalty on their own 22 and Peter Swatkins showed quick thinking to tap and run, winning the race to the Pirates’ posts, with Phil Jones adding the extras to close the gap to just six points.

Unfortunately it also roused the home side and they went on to run in five more unanswered tries from Motusaga, a penalty try, Mark Evans, Havili again and Mark Evans in the final minute.

North Lancs League One side Bury host Ashton Under Lyne at Radcliffe Road on Saturday, 2.30pm kick-off.