2011–12 Cornish Pirates RFC season

The 2011–12 season was the Cornish Pirates 9th season in the second tier of the English rugby union league system, the RFU Championship and their third in the British and Irish Cup.[1] The Pirates finished 3rd in Stage One of the Championship, allowing them to qualify for the promotion stages, where they were losing finalist to London Welsh RFC. They also reached the semi–finals of the British and Irish Cup losing to Cross Keys in Wales.

2011–12 Cornish Pirates Rugby season
Nickname(s)The Pirates
Founded1945
LocationPenzance, Cornwall
Ground(s)Mennaye Field (Capacity: 3200 2082 seating)
Coach(es)(High Performance Manager) Chris Stirling left the club April 2012 and replaced by Ian Davies

(Forwards) Ian Davies

(Backs) Harvey Biljon
Captain(s)Gavin Cattle
Top scorer295 Rob Cook
Most tries14 David Doherty
League(s)RFU Championship
2011–123rd
Official website
www.cornish-pirates.com

Pre–season Friendlies
Date Opponents H / A Result Score Attendance Match Report Ref
20 August 2011 Exeter Chiefs  H  L 3–58 2200 [2]
27 August 2011 Worcester Warriors  A  W 24–21 3600 [3]

[1]

RFU Championship

Stage One matches

Stage one is a league programme of 22 matches starting on Saturday, 3 September 2011 and completed by Saturday, 25 February 2012. Each team play 11 matches at home and 11 away. Top eight teams play in the promotion play–offs, bottom four play in the relegation play–off.

Date Opponents H / A Result Score Attendance Position Match Report Ref
  1  3 September 2011Moseley A D27–27 806[4]
  211 September 2011Doncaster Knights   H W39–321990[5]
  317 September 2011  London Scottish A W25–2312002nd[6]
  424 September 2011Leeds Carnegie H W52–1021001st[7]
  51 October 2011Plymouth Albion A W20–1628501st[8]
  69 October 2011Bedford Blues H L24–3420923rd[9]
  715 October 2011Nottingham A D25–2513633rd[10]
  823 October 2011Esher Rugby H W34–1819652nd[11]
  930 October 2011London Welsh A D17–1717493rd[12]
106 November 2011Rotherham Titans H W30–1325061st[13]
1120 November 2011Bristol Rugby A L33–3760443rd[14]
1226 November 2011Doncaster Knights A L21–3611185th[15]
134 December 2011London Scottish H W42–1021684th[16]
1410 December 2011Leeds Carnegie A L13–1425685th[17]
1524 December 2011Plymouth Albion H W33–1232144th[18]
161 January 2012Bedford Blues A L13–3243964th[19]
178 January 2012Nottingham Rugby H W26–2420264th[20]
1814 January 2012Esher Rugby A W36–3012634th[21]
1929 January 2012London Welsh H W27–618022nd[22]
4 February 2012Rotherham Titans AP–P2nd
11 February 2012Rotherham Titans AP–P3rd
12 February 2012Rotherham Titans AP–P3rd
2013 February 2012Rotherham Titans A W19–14 4632nd[23][24]
2119 February 2012Bristol H W18–1731153rd[25]
2225 February 2012Moseley H W32–1718443rd[26]

24 September H v Leed Carnegie televised on Sky Sports [1][27]

Stage One final table
2011–12 RFU Championship Table
Club Played Won Drawn Lost Points For Points Against Points Difference Bonus Points Points
1Bristol2217056153862291381
2Bedford Blues2214176404761641674
3Cornish Pirates2214356064641421274
4London Welsh (C)221327528432961167
5Nottingham2212285994651341062
6Leeds Carnegie221318470505–35660
7Rotherham Titans2211110469431381157
8Doncaster Knights229211467524–571050
9London Scottish226016422543–1211034
10Moseley226115445634–189733
11Plymouth Albion226016362528–166630
12Esher (R)224117376611–235523
  • If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:
  1. Number of matches won
  2. Difference between points for and against
  3. Total number of points for
  4. Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams
  5. Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled
Green background are promotion play-off places. Pink background are relegation play-off places.

Stage Two matches

Stage Two: The promotion play–offs are played in two groups of four with the top two teams qualifying for the knock–out stages. The relegation play–offs consist of one group of four teams with the bottom team being relegated. Each team plays three matches at home and three away. The top two teams in each group qualify for the semi–finals.

Date Opponents H / A Result Score Attendance Position Match Report Ref
110 March 2012Leeds Carnegie H D14–1419532nd[28]
216 March 2012Bedford Blues A L25–2633772nd[29]
325 March 2012Rotherham Titans H W25–1719232nd[30]
431 March 2012Rotherham Titans A W17–1412222nd[31]
515 April 2012Bedford Blues H W21–2021392nd[32]
621 April 2012Leeds Carnegie A L25–4215882nd

[33][34]

Group B table (Promotion)
Pos Team P W D L F A +/– BP PTS Adj
1 Bedford Blues 6 4 1 1 155 109 46 3 24 3
2 Cornish Pirates 6 3 1 2 127 133 –6 2 18 2
3 Leeds Carnegie 6 2 2 2 124 127 –3 2 15 1
4 Rotherham Titans 6 1 0 5 88 125 –37 2 6 0

* Adj – refers to number of points awarded before the start of the play-offs.

Points per match are awarded as follows:

  • Four points for a win
  • Two points for a draw
  • 1 bonus point for scoring four tries and/or losing a match by seven points or less
  • Knock-out stages consist of two-legged semi–finals and final with the highest league finisher from Stage One being the home team

Semi–final
7 May 2012
12:05
Cornish Pirates 45–24 Bristol
report
Mennaye Field, Penzance
Attendance: 2983
Referee: J P Doyle
13 May 2012
12:45
Bristol 29–18 Cornish Pirates
report
Memorial Stadium, Bristol
Referee: S Davey

Final
23 May 2012
19:45
Cornish Pirates 21 – 37 London Welsh
report
Mennaye Field, Penzance
Attendance: 3205
Referee: G Garner (RFU)
30 May 2012
19:45
London Welsh 29 – 20 Cornish Pirates
report
Kassam Stadium, Oxford
Attendance: 3456
Referee: David Rose

British and Irish Cup

The Cornish Pirates were drawn in Pool one and played the teams in Pool two. The Pool winners and the two best runners–up qualified for the Quarter–finals.[35]

Pool one fixtures
Date Opponents H / A Result Score Venue Attendance Match Report Ref
21 September 2011 Bristol H W50–22The Mennaye1612[36]
12 October 2011 Plymouth Albion A W38–0Brickfields1425[37]
12 November 2011 Munster A A W10–6Clonmel RFC1207[38]
18 December 2011 Cross Keys H W30–3The Mennaye2259[39]

Pool one final table

[40][41]

Team Played Won Drawn Lost For Against BP Pts
Cornish Pirates (1) 440012831218
Ayr 4202447219
Moseley 42024610608
Neath 41036210815

Quarter–final
Date Opponents H / A Result Score Venue Attendance Match Report Ref
22 January 2012 Nottingham Rugby H W33–3The Mennaye1492[42]

Semi–final
Date Opponents H / A Result Score Venue Attendance Match Report Ref
7 April 2012 Cross Keys A L16–20Pandy Park2500[43]

Squad 2011–12

Note: Flags indicate national union as has been defined under WR eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-WR nationality.

Player Position Union
Tom Cowan–Dickie (Exeter Chiefs) Hooker England
Rob Elloway Hooker Germany
Dave Ward Hooker England
Paul Andrew Prop England
Lloyd Fairbrother (Exeter Chiefs) Prop England
Rudi Brits Prop South Africa
Alan Paver (Exeter Chiefs) Prop England
Carl Rimmer Prop England
Ryan Storer Prop England
Laurie McGlone Lock New Zealand
Mike Myerscough Lock England
Ian Nimmo Lock Scotland
Matt Smith Lock England
Phil Burgess Flanker England
Dave Ewers (Exeter Chiefs) Flanker England
Chris Morgan Flanker England
Ben Maidment Flanker England
Blair Cowan Number 8 New Zealand
Kyle Marriott Number 8 England
Player Position Union
Gavin Cattle Scrum-half Wales
James Doherty Scrum-half England
Tom Kessell Scrum-half England
Johnny Bentley Fly-half New Zealand
Ceiron Thomas Fly-half Wales
Aaron Penberthy Fly-half England
Drew Locke Centre England
Sam Hill (Exeter Chiefs) Centre England
Andrew Suniula Centre United States
Tom Cooper Centre England
Ryan Westren Centre England
Wes Davies Wing Wales
Rhodri McAtee Wing Wales
Darren Daniel Wing Wales
David Doherty Wing England
Grant Pointer Wing England
Charlie Walker–Blair (Exeter Chiefs) Wing England
Rob Cook Fullback England
Matt Evans Fullback Canada

[44][45]

Dual Registration
  • Tom Cowan–Dickie (Exeter Chiefs)
  • David Ewers (Exeter Chiefs)
  • Lloyd Fairbrother (Exeter Chiefs)
  • Sam Hill (Exeter Chiefs)
  • Drew Locke (Exeter Chiefs)
  • Alan Paver (Exeter Chiefs)[46]
  • Charles Walker–Blair (Exeter Chiefs)

Internationally Capped Players

Andrew Suniula joined the Pirates after the 2011 World Cup.

Transfers 2011–12

Players In

[50][51]

Players Out

[53]

Coaching staff
  • Chris Stirling () (High Performance Manager) appointed in January 2009 and left club in April 2012.
  • Ian Davies () (Head Coach) from April 2012. Previously Forwards Coach appointed in April 2009.
  • Harvey Biljon () (Backs Coach) appointed in April 2009.
  • Simon Raynes () (Strength and Conditioning Coach) since summer 2005.

[54] [55]

See also

References
  1. The Cornishman, 23 June 2011
  2. Straughan, D. Pirates given a jolt as Chiefs go on rampage. The Cornishman p 76
  3. Straughan, D (1 September 2011). Stirling's feet firmly on ground after wind. The Cornishman p 77
  4. Straughan, Dick (8 September 2011). Late blow for Pirates as Moseley steal draw. The Cornishman p 74
  5. Straughan, Dick (15 September 2011). "Pirates almost pay the price for poor second half display". The Cornishman. p. 74.
  6. Straughan, Dick (22 September 2011). "Cowan's last-gasp try clinches dramatic win". The Cornishman. p. 74.
  7. Straughan, Dick (29 September 2011). "Pirates stun relegated Leeds to go top of Championship". The Cornishman. p. 74.
  8. Straughan, Dick (6 October 2011). "Doherty's late try seals thrilling derby victory". The Cornishman.
  9. Straughan, Dick (13 October 2011). "Pirates suffer the Blues in first defeat of season". The Cornishman.
  10. Straughan, Dick (20 October 2011). "Davies vents fury as Pirates denied match-winning kick". The Cornishman.
  11. Straughan, Dick (27 October 2011). "Stirling unimpressed as Pirates labour to victory". The Cornishman.
  12. Straughan, Dick (3 November 2011). "Pirates settle for draw after Welsh fightback". The Cornishman. p. 74.
  13. Straughan, Dick (10 November 2011). "Pirates go top after season's best display". The Cornishman. p. 74.
  14. Straughan, Dick (24 November 2011). "Stirling furious after Pirates squander lead". The Cornishman.
  15. Straughan, Dick (1 December 2011). "Pirates crash to second straight defeat on road". The Cornishman.
  16. Straughan, Dick (8 December 2011). "Ruthless Pirates return to form with impressive win". The Cornishman. p. 70.
  17. Straughan, Dick (15 December 2011). "Biljon stumped for words after Headingley woe". The Cornishman. p. 66.
  18. Straughan, Dick (29 December 2011). "Christmas cheer for Pirates after bonus point derby win". The Cornishman. p. 71.
  19. Straughan, Dick (5 January 2011). "No haoppy start to the new year for Pirates". The Cornishman. p. 87.
  20. Straughan, Dick (12 January 2012). "Cook holds his nerve as Pirates leave it late". The Cornishman. p. 66.
  21. Straughan, Dick (19 February 2012). "Pirates survive scare to floor basement battlers". The Cornishman.
  22. Straughan, Dick (2 February 2012). "Welsh fire doused as Pirates go second". The Cornishman. p. 70.
  23. Straughan, Dick (16 February 2012). "Happy Monday for the Pirates at Clifton Lane". The Cornishman. p. 74.
  24. "Match Details". rugby round-up. Archived from the original on 2 February 2013. Retrieved 4 December 2012.
  25. Straughan, Dick (23 February 2012). "Nimmo finds best form as Pirates win bruising derby". The Cornishman. p. 74.
  26. Straughan, Dick (1 March 2012). "Pirates seal third spot with scrappy bonus point victory". The Cornishman. p. 74.
  27. http://cornish-pirates.com/
  28. Straughan, Dick (15 March 2012). "Stirling slams Pirates as 'rubbish' after they struggle to home draw". The Cornishman. p. 74.
  29. "Davies left fuming as Blues clinch victory with injury time consversion". The Cornishman. 22 March 2012. p. 78.
  30. Straughan, Dick (29 March 2012). "Pirates overcome poor start to record first play-off win". The Cornishman. p. 78.
  31. Straughan, Dick (5 April 2012). "Pirates one win from semis after clinching Titans double". The Cornishman. p. 78.
  32. Straughan, Dick (19 April 2012). "Pirates seal semi-final berth as Stirling bids emotional farewell". The Cornishman. p. 74.
  33. Straughan, Dick (1 March 2012). "Play-off matches". The Cornishman. p. 76.
  34. Straughan, Dick (26 April 2012). "Davies focussed on semi finals after heavy defeat at Headingley". The Cornishman. p. 78.
  35. http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbynation/rugby-news/2011/06/20/welsh-clubs-discover-british-and-irish-cup-opponents-91466-28904364/
  36. Straughan, Dick (29 September 2011). "Second half fightback gets cup campaign off to winning start". The Cornishman. p. 74.
  37. Straughan, Dick (20 October 2011). "Experimental Pirates squad cruise to comfortable cup victory at Brickfields". The Cornishman.
  38. Straughan, Dick (17 November 2011). "Stoppage-time penalty try earns Pirates dramatic win". The Cornishman. p. 78.
  39. Straughan, Dick (22 December 2011). "Pirates ease into last eight with victory over Welshmen". The Cornishman. p. 78.
  40. "none". The Cornishman. 22 December 2011. p. 78.
  41. "British & Irish Cup Tables". BBC. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
  42. Straughan, Dick (26 January 2012). "Five-try Pirates surge into semi finals". The Cornishman. p. 76.
  43. Straughan, Dick (12 April 2012). "Agony for Pirates as Welsh underdogs exact cup revenge". The Cornishman. p. 78.
  44. Straughan, Dick (26 May 2011). "We're going for it again, vows Pirates owner". The Cornishman. p. 80.
  45. Straughan, Dick (1 September 2011). "Rivals say Pirates are among the favourites". The Cornishman. pp. 78–9.
  46. Straughan, Dick (6 October 2011). "Pirates ready to turn on style as Blues head west". The Cornishman. p. 76.
  47. Nigel Walrond. Cornish Pirates. Pirates say fond farewells to popular Mennaye men. 'Independent' 29 May 2011
  48. "Westren makes Scottish switch". The Cornishman. 15 December 2011. p. 67.
  49. "Cornish Pirates sign Welsh winger Darren Daniel". BBC News. 2011-05-04.
  50. "Cornish Pirates swoop for seven new signings". BBC News. 2011-04-21.
  51. Walrond, Nigel (23 October 2011). "Pirates sign Canadian after Davies injury blow". Independent. p. 59.
  52. "Harlequins sign up Cornish Pirates centre Matt Hopper". BBC News. 2011-04-01.
  53. Nigel Walrond. Flanker Betty in shock move to Premiership side Worcester. Independent 31 July 2011.
  54. "Chris Stirling to help Cornish Pirates coaches". BBC. Retrieved 4 June 2012.
  55. "Simon Raynes". Cornish Pirates. Archived from the original on 15 September 2015. Retrieved 4 June 2012.
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