With the game poised on a knife-edge with just three minutes to go, super-sub Davies was johnny on the spot after his Welsh halfback partner Luke Scully hoisted a huge up and under. The ex-Llandovery scrum half collected the bouncing ball and scampered clear to score the decisive try – although he admits he didn’t do Scully any favours with the conversion.
“When I went on it was a one point game and I thought ‘oh god, this is a tight nervy affair’ but once I scored I just totally forgot about the score when I went over the line. I should have gone under the posts to make the kick a bit easier for Scully. But once he kicked it we knew we’ve got a good chance of winning as we were two scores ahead and there wasn’t long left so we just had to grind it out in the end,” said Davies.
“To be fair, I don’t really remember much about it – there was a bit of a kick battle and all of a sudden I chased the ball, it bounced off the floor and into my hands. Most of the boys were saying ‘the look on your face when you caught the ball’ and I said ‘yea – I didn’t really expect it,” added Davies before cheekily saying: “I think we might have a few videos from the RFU this week because some of our social distancing and try celebrations was a bit less than 2m.
“Everyone was happy with result and it was a massive team squad effort and a long time coming really.”
The former champions of Europe may be overwhelming favourites to secure promotion back to the Gallagher Premiership at the first attempt but Davies is convinced it may not be as straight forward as they think.
“With them coming down, everyone is going to take it as a cup final – we looked at them in the week and after seeing Ealing had beaten them twice in so called pre-season, we just backed ourselves. We knew we would have to be at our best to beat them but luckily we did,” added Davies who has two fellow Welshmen in Alex Schwarz and JB Bruzulier as competition for the starting No 9 shirt.
“Coming down to Penzance is always tough so that was a tough start for them. Ealing have a big budget, they’ve beaten Saracens twice already so I think they will back themselves to beat them. You’re hearing rumours that once the Six Nations finishes all their internationals will be back so it will be tough against them then but saying that, they did have over 150 caps in their squad last week. They will find it tough and I know it’s a shortened season but they are probably still favourites to go up – I’m just glad we’ve already played them and beaten them so it’s sort of in our hands as well.”
Rhodri Davies dives over for a try for Llandovery against Carmarthen Quins in the SWALEC Cup final in 2016
Davies’ only regret from the Pirates greatest win in their history is the fact their loyal fans were absent from the occasion.
“It’s one of the biggest results in Cornish Pirates history so to have a crowd there would have been amazing. You would have had a big crowd because you’re playing Sarries – it’s just a shame we beat them in those circumstances,” he said.
There was heavy Welsh influence on the final outcome as Scully collected 10 points with his boot en route to a famous Pirates win.
Wales Under 20 fly half Scully has quickly settled into his routine at his new club and Davies is impressed with what he has seen of the young Cardiff Blues pivot so far.
“He’s been good to be fair, he hasn’t been here long but he has settled in well. I think he is enjoying it down here – there is a good group of boys here so it makes it easier to settle in.”
Davies says the Pirates will now have to be wary of forthcoming fixtures as the shock result would have put a target on their own backs now.
“We targeted Sarries first up but now we need to back ourselves – it’s in our hands now because we’ve got a shorter season, you play everyone once – if we keep winning games anything can happen really.
“We’ve got Richmond away this week, having a good win last week they’ll be trying to get one over us now.” Having also played in the championship with Rotherham previously, Davies believes the competition doesn’t get the due credit it deserves.
A moment @CornishPirates1 fans won’t ever forget…#ChampRugby pic.twitter.com/VjwT7ri8Y9
— Greene King IPA Championship (@Champrugby) March 8, 2021
“It is very good standard of rugby to be fair. I don’t think it gets the recognition it deserves. A lot of players have played in it and gone on to play for England and other national sides. It is a good league and I’m enjoying it.”
Davies pitched up at the Pirates after a brief stint at the Dragons. Although not getting a lot of game time at Rodney Parade, he still has fond memories of his time there.
“It was a tough year, there was a lot of hope at the start when we all got there but we didn’t do as well and then Bernard [Jackman] left and I didn’t really play that much and then the Pirates got in touch and I thought it was a nice chance to get back and play again and enjoy my rugby. I still keep an eye on their results, still keep in touch with a few of the boys and still watch their games now.”
For now, Davies is enjoying the short spell in the limelight and simply enjoying his rugby.
“When you have a year off sometimes you actually appreciate what you are doing more. When you play every week sometimes it’s nice to have a break but when you don’t play and can’t play it’s nice to get back playing. We’ve started off well, so let’s wait and see what happens.”
Elsewhere in the championship, former Merthyr wing Kyle Evans was the matchwinner for Doncaster Knights as he ran in a try in the dying minutes to clinch a 19-17 win at Ampthill. Former Cardiff Met skipper and Wales U20 back rower Aled Ward was another try scorer as he marked his debut for Hartpury with one of their five tires in a convincing opening day home win over Richmond, 38-15.
Scarlets duo Harri O’Connor and Jac Price were in the Nottingham side that went down 52-3 against Ealing, where Shaun Evans is also on loan.
