Sloppy Nottingham defeated again

In the first half we looked comfortable but we were just nervous and giving penalties away for no real reason

Glenn Delaney

Nottingham were swept aside 36-10 by Cornish Pirates to go down to their fourth successive defeat.

Alex Shaw's try put the hosts in front but four Robert Cook penalties and a Matthew Hopper try put Pirates ahead.

David Jackson and Cook exchanged penalties but a penalty try and Stephen Winn's score put Pirates out of sight.

Nottingham director of rugby Glenn Delaney told BBC Radio Nottingham: "We made a number of unforced errors which they took points from."

The Green & Whites have slipped to seventh in the table after a third defeat of the season at Meadow Lane.

Nottingham looked lively as they tried to run the ball in an extremely even first 20 minutes.

They were rewarded for their adventurous rugby when Shaw crossed the line after quick ball at the break down and Jackson added the extras.

A missed Jackson penalty then seemed to awaken the visitors, who pounced on Nottingham's ill-discipline to lead 12-7 after impressive kicking from full-back Cook.

Jackson missed another penalty and it was clear the home side were missing influential kicker James Arlidge.

Pirates then scored right on half-time. Scrum-half Gavin Cattle expertly collected his own high kick before smartly off-loading to Hopper who dummied and side-stepped before touching down.

Jackson restored his confidence with a successful long penalty, but it was soon cancelled out as Cook added another three points.

Nottingham's Phil Eggleshaw was then sin-binned moments after coming on and Pirates took advantage of the extra man and a lack of home discipline to dominate.

Had we been more in control of our indiscretions then we would have gone in probably a try apiece

Glenn Delaney

The west country outfit were held up on the line a couple of times by Nottingham's defence, but after intense pressure in the scrum a penalty try was awarded.

Pirates had a couple more chances before the end and did get their third try as Winn capitalised on some poor missed tackles to score between the posts.

Nottingham eventually ventured out of their own 22 and even found themselves near Pirates' try line, but after several penalties Pirates turned the ball over and ended the game.

Delaney added: "I think in the first half we looked comfortable but we were just nervous and giving penalties away for no real reason.

"Had we been more in control of our indiscretions then we would have gone in probably a try apiece, but it was about error management that put us in our own 22 and we never got out."

Nottingham host to Birmingham on Friday and should have Arlidge available following his return from international duty.