Cornish Pirates 7-16 Esher

Simon Whatling's early try was the highlight of a bad day for Pirates

Cornish Pirates fell back after a great start to go down 16-7 at home to Esher on Sunday in National League One.

Simon Whatling converted his own superb individual try to give sixth-placed Pirates a second-minute lead.

But that was as good as it got for the Pirates. Eight minutes later Sam Ulph's try made it 7-5 before he kicked two penalties either side of the break.

And winger Dougie Flockhart's try sealed a surprise victory for the lowly Surrey side.

Pirates winger Rhodir McAtee, who returned to the side after winning the Sevens World Cup with Wales last week, was critical of his side's performance.

"I think we were very naive," he told BBC Radio Cornwall. "We were soft in our defence. I don't think we stopped them on the gain line once.

"They brought the game to us and I think we really just let ourselves down."