Rugby team
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.
Pre–season Friendlies [ ]
Date
Opponents
H / A
Result
Score
Attendance
Match Report
Ref
20 August 2011
Exeter Chiefs
H
L
3–58
2200
[1]
[2]
27 August 2011
Worcester Warriors
A
W
24–21
3600
[2]
[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 2011
Moseley
A
D
27–27
806
[3]
[4]
2
11 September 2011
Doncaster Knights
H
W
39–32
1990
[4]
[5]
3
17 September 2011
London Scottish
A
W
25–23
1200
2nd
[5]
[6]
4
24 September 2011
Leeds Carnegie
H
W
52–10
2100
1st
[6]
[7]
5
1 October 2011
Plymouth Albion
A
W
20–16
2850
1st
[7]
[8]
6
9 October 2011
Bedford Blues
H
L
24–34
2092
3rd
[8]
[9]
7
15 October 2011
Nottingham
A
D
25–25
1363
3rd
[9]
[10]
8
23 October 2011
Esher Rugby
H
W
34–18
1965
2nd
[10]
[11]
9
30 October 2011
London Welsh
A
D
17–17
1749
3rd
[11]
[12]
10
6 November 2011
Rotherham Titans
H
W
30–13
2506
1st
[12]
[13]
11
20 November 2011
Bristol Rugby
A
L
33–37
6044
3rd
[13]
[14]
12
26 November 2011
Doncaster Knights
A
L
21–36
1118
5th
[14]
[15]
13
4 December 2011
London Scottish
H
W
42–10
2168
4th
[15]
[16]
14
10 December 2011
Leeds Carnegie
A
L
13–14
2568
5th
[16]
[17]
15
24 December 2011
Plymouth Albion
H
W
33–12
3214
4th
[17]
[18]
16
1 January 2012
Bedford Blues
A
L
13–32
4396
4th
[18]
[19]
17
8 January 2012
Nottingham Rugby
H
W
26–24
2026
4th
[19]
[20]
18
14 January 2012
Esher Rugby
A
W
36–30
1263
4th
[20]
[21]
19
29 January 2012
London Welsh
H
W
27–6
1802
2nd
[21]
[22]
4 February 2012
Rotherham Titans
A
P–P
2nd
[22]
11 February 2012
Rotherham Titans
A
P–P
3rd
12 February 2012
Rotherham Titans
A
P–P
3rd
20
13 February 2012
Rotherham Titans
A
W
19–14
463
2nd
[23]
[23] [24]
21
19 February 2012
Bristol
H
W
18–17
3115
3rd
[24]
[25]
22
25 February 2012
Moseley
H
W
32–17
1844
3rd
[25]
[26]
24 September H v Leed Carnegie televised on Sky Sports
[1] [27]
Stage One final table [ ]
Club
Played
Won
Drawn
Lost
Points For
Points Against
Points Difference
Bonus Points
Points
1
Bristol
22
17
0
5
615
386
229
13
81
2
Bedford Blues
22
14
1
7
640
476
164
16
74
3
Cornish Pirates
22
14
3
5
606
464
142
12
74
4
London Welsh (C)
22
13
2
7
528
432
96
11
67
5
Nottingham
22
12
2
8
599
465
134
10
62
6
Leeds Carnegie
22
13
1
8
470
505
–35
6
60
7
Rotherham Titans
22
11
1
10
469
431
38
11
57
8
Doncaster Knights
22
9
2
11
467
524
–57
10
50
9
London Scottish
22
6
0
16
422
543
–121
10
34
10
Moseley
22
6
1
15
445
634
–189
7
33
11
Plymouth Albion
22
6
0
16
362
528
–166
6
30
12
Esher (R)
22
4
1
17
376
611
–235
5
23
If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:
Number of matches won
Difference between points for and against
Total number of points for
Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams
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
1
10 March 2012
Leeds Carnegie
H
D
14–14
1953
2nd
[26]
[28]
2
16 March 2012
Bedford Blues
A
L
25–26
3377
2nd
[27]
[29]
3
25 March 2012
Rotherham Titans
H
W
25–17
1923
2nd
[28]
[30]
4
31 March 2012
Rotherham Titans
A
W
17–14
1222
2nd
[29]
[31]
5
15 April 2012
Bedford Blues
H
W
21–20
2139
2nd
[30]
[32]
6
21 April 2012
Leeds Carnegie
A
L
25–42
1588
2nd
[31]
[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 [ ]
Cornish Pirates
45–24
Bristol
report
Bristol
29–18
Cornish Pirates
report
Memorial Stadium , Bristol Referee:
S Davey
Final [ ]
Cornish Pirates
21 – 37
London Welsh
report
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
W
50–22
The Mennaye
1612
[32]
[36]
12 October 2011
Plymouth Albion
A
W
38–0
Brickfields
1425
[33]
[37]
12 November 2011
Munster A
A
W
10–6
Clonmel RFC
1207
[34]
[38]
18 December 2011
Cross Keys
H
W
30–3
The Mennaye
2259
[35]
[39]
Pool one final table [ ]
[40] [41]
Team
Played
Won
Drawn
Lost
For
Against
BP
Pts
Cornish Pirates (1)
4
4
0
0
128
31
2
18
Ayr
4
2
0
2
44
72
1
9
Moseley
4
2
0
2
46
106
0
8
Neath
4
1
0
3
62
108
1
5
Quarter–final [ ]
Date
Opponents
H / A
Result
Score
Venue
Attendance
Match Report
Ref
22 January 2012
Nottingham Rugby
H
W
33–3
The Mennaye
1492
[36]
[42]
Semi–final [ ]
Date
Opponents
H / A
Result
Score
Venue
Attendance
Match Report
Ref
7 April 2012
Cross Keys
A
L
16–20
2500
[37]
[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
(Exeter Chiefs )
Hooker
England
Rob Elloway
Hooker
Germany
Dave Ward
Hooker
England
Paul Andrew
Prop
England
Lloyd Fairbrother (Exeter Chiefs )
Prop
England
Prop
South Africa
(Exeter Chiefs )
Prop
England
Carl Rimmer
Prop
England
Prop
England
Lock
New Zealand
Lock
England
Ian Nimmo
Lock
Scotland
Matt Smith
Lock
England
Phil Burgess
Flanker
England
Dave Ewers (Exeter Chiefs )
Flanker
England
Flanker
England
Ben Maidment
Flanker
England
Blair Cowan
Number 8
New Zealand
Number 8
England
Player
Position
Union
Gavin Cattle
Scrum-half
Wales
Scrum-half
England
Tom Kessell
Scrum-half
England
Johnny Bentley
Fly-half
New Zealand
Ceiron Thomas
Fly-half
Wales
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
(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 [ ]
Sam Betty (to Worcester Warriors )
Blair Cowan (to Worcester Warriors in January 2012)
(to Worcester Warriors )
Ben Gulliver (to Worcester Warriors )
Tyrone Holmes (released)
Matt Hopper (to Harlequins ) [52]
(released)
(released)
Steve Winn (released)
[53]
Coaching staff [ ]
( ) (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.
( ) (Backs Coach) appointed in April 2009.
Simon Raynes ( ) (Strength and Conditioning Coach) since summer 2005.
[54]
[55]
See also [ ]
Cornwall portal
References [ ]
^ a b c The Cornishman, 23 June 2011
^ Straughan, D. Pirates given a jolt as Chiefs go on rampage. The Cornishman p 76
^ Straughan, D (1 September 2011). Stirling's feet firmly on ground after wind. The Cornishman p 77
^ Straughan, Dick (8 September 2011). Late blow for Pirates as Moseley steal draw. The Cornishman p 74
^ Straughan, Dick (15 September 2011). "Pirates almost pay the price for poor second half display". The Cornishman . p. 74.
^ Straughan, Dick (22 September 2011). "Cowan's last-gasp try clinches dramatic win". The Cornishman . p. 74.
^ Straughan, Dick (29 September 2011). "Pirates stun relegated Leeds to go top of Championship". The Cornishman . p. 74.
^ Straughan, Dick (6 October 2011). "Doherty's late try seals thrilling derby victory". The Cornishman .
^ Straughan, Dick (13 October 2011). "Pirates suffer the Blues in first defeat of season". The Cornishman .
^ Straughan, Dick (20 October 2011). "Davies vents fury as Pirates denied match-winning kick". The Cornishman .
^ Straughan, Dick (27 October 2011). "Stirling unimpressed as Pirates labour to victory". The Cornishman .
^ Straughan, Dick (3 November 2011). "Pirates settle for draw after Welsh fightback". The Cornishman . p. 74.
^ Straughan, Dick (10 November 2011). "Pirates go top after season's best display". The Cornishman . p. 74.
^ Straughan, Dick (24 November 2011). "Stirling furious after Pirates squander lead". The Cornishman .
^ Straughan, Dick (1 December 2011). "Pirates crash to second straight defeat on road". The Cornishman .
^ Straughan, Dick (8 December 2011). "Ruthless Pirates return to form with impressive win". The Cornishman . p. 70.
^ Straughan, Dick (15 December 2011). "Biljon stumped for words after Headingley woe". The Cornishman . p. 66.
^ Straughan, Dick (29 December 2011). "Christmas cheer for Pirates after bonus point derby win". The Cornishman . p. 71.
^ Straughan, Dick (5 January 2011). "No haoppy start to the new year for Pirates". The Cornishman . p. 87.
^ Straughan, Dick (12 January 2012). "Cook holds his nerve as Pirates leave it late". The Cornishman . p. 66.
^ Straughan, Dick (19 February 2012). "Pirates survive scare to floor basement battlers". The Cornishman .
^ Straughan, Dick (2 February 2012). "Welsh fire doused as Pirates go second". The Cornishman . p. 70.
^ Straughan, Dick (16 February 2012). "Happy Monday for the Pirates at Clifton Lane". The Cornishman . p. 74.
^ "Match Details" . rugby round-up. Archived from the original on 2 February 2013. Retrieved 4 December 2012 .
^ Straughan, Dick (23 February 2012). "Nimmo finds best form as Pirates win bruising derby". The Cornishman . p. 74.
^ Straughan, Dick (1 March 2012). "Pirates seal third spot with scrappy bonus point victory". The Cornishman . p. 74.
^ "Cornish Pirates" . cornish-pirates.com .
^ Straughan, Dick (15 March 2012). "Stirling slams Pirates as 'rubbish' after they struggle to home draw". The Cornishman . p. 74.
^ "Davies left fuming as Blues clinch victory with injury time consversion". The Cornishman . 22 March 2012. p. 78.
^ Straughan, Dick (29 March 2012). "Pirates overcome poor start to record first play-off win". The Cornishman . p. 78.
^ Straughan, Dick (5 April 2012). "Pirates one win from semis after clinching Titans double". The Cornishman . p. 78.
^ Straughan, Dick (19 April 2012). "Pirates seal semi-final berth as Stirling bids emotional farewell". The Cornishman . p. 74.
^ Straughan, Dick (1 March 2012). "Play-off matches". The Cornishman . p. 76.
^ Straughan, Dick (26 April 2012). "Davies focussed on semi finals after heavy defeat at Headingley". The Cornishman . p. 78.
^ "Welsh clubs discover British and Irish Cup opponents" . WalesOnline . 19 June 2011.
^ Straughan, Dick (29 September 2011). "Second half fightback gets cup campaign off to winning start". The Cornishman . p. 74.
^ Straughan, Dick (20 October 2011). "Experimental Pirates squad cruise to comfortable cup victory at Brickfields". The Cornishman .
^ Straughan, Dick (17 November 2011). "Stoppage-time penalty try earns Pirates dramatic win". The Cornishman . p. 78.
^ Straughan, Dick (22 December 2011). "Pirates ease into last eight with victory over Welshmen". The Cornishman . p. 78.
^ "none". The Cornishman . 22 December 2011. p. 78.
^ "British & Irish Cup Tables" . BBC. Retrieved 11 April 2012 .
^ Straughan, Dick (26 January 2012). "Five-try Pirates surge into semi finals". The Cornishman . p. 76.
^ Straughan, Dick (12 April 2012). "Agony for Pirates as Welsh underdogs exact cup revenge". The Cornishman . p. 78.
^ Straughan, Dick (26 May 2011). "We're going for it again, vows Pirates owner". The Cornishman . p. 80.
^ Straughan, Dick (1 September 2011). "Rivals say Pirates are among the favourites". The Cornishman . pp. 78–9.
^ Straughan, Dick (6 October 2011). "Pirates ready to turn on style as Blues head west". The Cornishman . p. 76.
^ Nigel Walrond. Cornish Pirates. Pirates say fond farewells to popular Mennaye men. 'Independent' 29 May 2011
^ "Westren makes Scottish switch". The Cornishman . 15 December 2011. p. 67.
^ "Cornish Pirates sign Welsh winger Darren Daniel" . BBC News . 4 May 2011.
^ "Cornish Pirates swoop for seven new signings" . BBC News . 21 April 2011.
^ Walrond, Nigel (23 October 2011). "Pirates sign Canadian after Davies injury blow". Independent . p. 59.
^ "Harlequins sign up Cornish Pirates centre Matt Hopper" . BBC News . 1 April 2011.
^ Nigel Walrond. Flanker Betty in shock move to Premiership side Worcester. Independent 31 July 2011.
^ "Chris Stirling to help Cornish Pirates coaches" . BBC. Retrieved 4 June 2012 .
^ "Simon Raynes" . Cornish Pirates. Archived from the original on 15 September 2015. Retrieved 4 June 2012 .
External links [ ]
RFU Championship
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Ampthill
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Former clubs
English
Birmingham & Solihull 2009–10, 2010–11
Coventry 2009–10
Esher 2010–11, 2011–12
Exeter Chiefs 2009–10
Newcastle Falcons 2012–13
Plymouth Albion 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15
Worcester Warriors 2010–11, 2014–15
Scottish
Ayr 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2013–14
Currie 2010–11, 2011–12
Dundee HSFP 2012–13
Edinburgh Academicals 2013–14
Gael Force 2009–10
Gala 2012–13, 2013–14
Heriot's FP 2009–10
Melrose 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13
Stirling County 2012–13, 2013–14
Welsh
Aberavon 2009–10, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15
Bedwas 2012–13
Bridgend Ravens 2012–13
Cardiff 2009–10, 2012–13
Carmarthen Quins 2012–13, 2014–15
Cross Keys 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15
Llandovery 2010–11, 2012–13
Llanelli 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14
Neath 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13
Newport 2009–10, 2010–11, 2012–13
Pontypridd 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15
Swansea 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13
Seasons Winners
2010: Cornish Pirates
2011: Bristol
2012: Munster A
2013: Leinster A
2014: Leinster A
2015: Worcester Warriors
2016: London Welsh
2017: Munster A
2018: Ealing Trailfinders
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