2011–12 Cornish Pirates RFC season

July 2021 2011–12 Cornish Pirates Rugby season The Pirates http://www.cornish-pirates.com/ 1945 Penzance, Cornwall Mennaye Field 3200 2082 seating Rod Coward (High Performance Manager) Chris Stirling NZL left the club April 2012 and replaced by Ian Davies (Forwards) WAL Ian Davies (Backs) RSA Harvey Biljon Gavin Cattle 295 Rob Cook 14 David Doherty RFU Championship 2011–12 3rd 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.The Cornishman, 23 June 2011 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 DateOpponentsH / AResultScoreAttendanceMatch ReportRef20 August 2011Exeter Chiefs H L3–582200Straughan, D. Pirates given a jolt as Chiefs go on rampage. The Cornishman p 7627 August 2011Worcester Warriors A W24–213600Straughan, D (1 September 2011). Stirling's feet firmly on ground after wind. The Cornishman p 77 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. DateOpponentsH / AResultScoreAttendancePositionMatch ReportRef  1  3 September 2011Moseley A D27–27 806Straughan, Dick (8 September 2011). Late blow for Pirates as Moseley steal draw. The Cornishman p 74  211 September 2011Doncaster Knights   H W39–321990 Straughan Dick Pirates almost pay the price for poor second half display The Cornishman 15 September 2011 74   317 September 2011  London Scottish A W25–2312002ndStraughan Dick Cowan's last-gasp try clinches dramatic win The Cornishman 22 September 2011 74   424 September 2011 Leeds Carnegie H W52–1021001stStraughan Dick Pirates stun relegated Leeds to go top of Championship The Cornishman 29 September 2011 74   51 October 2011Plymouth Albion A W20–1628501stStraughan Dick Doherty's late try seals thrilling derby victory The Cornishman 6 October 2011   69 October 2011Bedford Blues H L24–3420923rdhttps://archive.today/20130421111618/http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/Bedford-exact-revenge-sentence-Pirates-defeat/story-13520121-detail/story.htmlStraughan Dick Pirates suffer the Blues in first defeat of season The Cornishman 13 October 2011   715 October 2011Nottingham A D25–2513633rdhttps://archive.today/20130505070645/http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/Cornish-Pirates-stage-second-half-fightback-earn/story-13561696-detail/story.htmlStraughan Dick Davies vents fury as Pirates denied match-winning kick The Cornishman 20 October 2011   823 October 2011Esher Rugby H W34–1819652ndhttps://archive.today/20130505070848/http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/Cornish-Pirates-make-hard-work-beating/story-13646501-detail/story.htmlStraughan Dick Stirling unimpressed as Pirates labour to victory The Cornishman 27 October 2011   930 October 2011London Welsh A D17–1717493rdStraughan Dick Pirates settle for draw after Welsh fightback The Cornishman 3 November 2011 74 106 November 2011Rotherham Titans H W30–1325061sthttps://archive.today/20130505073405/http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/Pirates-season-s-best-display/story-13807788-detail/story.htmlStraughan Dick Pirates go top after season's best display The Cornishman 10 November 2011 74 1120 November 2011Bristol Rugby A L33–3760443rdhttps://archive.today/20130505110351/http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/Stirling-vents-fury-Pirates-throw-away-lead/story-13940961-detail/story.htmlStraughan Dick Stirling furious after Pirates squander lead The Cornishman 24 November 2011 1226 November 2011 Doncaster Knights A L21–3611185thhttps://archive.today/20130421112640/http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/Pirates-crash-second-straight-defeat-road/story-14007943-detail/story.html Straughan Dick Pirates crash to second straight defeat on road The Cornishman 1 December 2011 134 December 2011London Scottish H W42–1021684thhttps://archive.today/20130505140939/http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/Pirates-cruise-try-win-Scottish/story-14037422-detail/story.htmlStraughan Dick Ruthless Pirates return to form with impressive win The Cornishman 8 December 2011 70 1410 December 2011Leeds Carnegie A L13–1425685thhttps://archive.today/20130505085747/http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/Stephenson-s-rocket-shatters-Cornish-Pirates-late/story-14106640-detail/story.htmlStraughan Dick Biljon stumped for words after Headingley woe The Cornishman 15 December 2011 66 1524 December 2011Plymouth Albion H W33–1232144thhttps://archive.today/20130421115632/http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/Christmas-cheer-Pirates-beat-14-man-Albion/story-14229320-detail/story.htmlStraughan Dick Christmas cheer for Pirates after bonus point derby win The Cornishman 29 December 2011 71 161 January 2012Bedford Blues A L13–3243964th https://archive.today/20130505074917/http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/Pirates-suffer-fifth-defeat-conceding-tries-half/story-14302878-detail/story.htmlStraughan Dick No haoppy start to the new year for Pirates The Cornishman 5 January 2011 87 178 January 2012Nottingham Rugby H W26–2420264thhttps://archive.today/20130505084349/http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/Cook-penalty-completes-Pirates-comeback-beat/story-14362195-detail/story.htmlStraughan Dick Cook holds his nerve as Pirates leave it late The Cornishman 12 January 2012 66 1814 January 2012Esher Rugby A W36–3012634thhttps://archive.today/20130505081226/http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/Pirates-just-come-try-thriller/story-14422218-detail/story.htmlStraughan Dick Pirates survive scare to floor basement battlers The Cornishman 19 February 2012 1929 January 2012 London Welsh H W27–618022ndhttps://archive.today/20130505064340/http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/Welsh-doused-Pirates-second/story-15108712-detail/story.htmlStraughan Dick Welsh fire doused as Pirates go second The Cornishman 2 February 2012 70 4 February 2012Rotherham Titans AP–P2nd11 February 2012Rotherham Titans AP–P3rd12 February 2012Rotherham Titans AP–P3rd2013 February 2012Rotherham Titans A W19–14 4632ndhttps://archive.today/20130505084426/http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/happy-Monday-Pirates-Thomas-clinches-narrow/story-15245154-detail/story.html Straughan Dick Happy Monday for the Pirates at Clifton Lane The Cornishman 16 February 2012 74Match Details http://www.rugbyroundup.com/league.php?league_id=2&mode=stats&game_id=28039 rugby round-up 4 December 2012 https://archive.today/20130202021816/http://www.rugbyroundup.com/league.php?league_id=2&mode=stats&game_id=28039 2 February 2013 dead dmy-all 2119 February 2012Bristol H W18–1731153rdhttps://archive.today/20130505071044/http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/Pirates-gain-psychological-edge-home-win-leaders/story-15281060-detail/story.htmlStraughan Dick Nimmo finds best form as Pirates win bruising derby The Cornishman 23 February 2012 74 2225 February 2012Moseley H W32–1718443rdhttps://archive.today/20130505151752/http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/Pirates-end-regular-season-high-bonus-point-win/story-15317826-detail/story.htmlStraughan Dick Pirates seal third spot with scrappy bonus point victory The Cornishman 1 March 2012 74 24 September H v Leed Carnegie televised on Sky Sports https://cornish-pirates.com/ Cornish Pirates cornish-pirates.com Stage One final table 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. DateOpponentsH / AResultScoreAttendancePositionMatch ReportRef110 March 2012Leeds Carnegie H D14–1419532ndhttps://archive.today/20130505104812/http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/Pirates-best-Leeds-force-draw-play-offs-opener/story-15497053-detail/story.htmlStraughan Dick Stirling slams Pirates as 'rubbish' after they struggle to home draw The Cornishman 15 March 2012 74 216 March 2012Bedford Blues A L25–2633772ndhttps://archive.today/20130505140302/http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/13-man-Pirates-lose-final-kick-match/story-15534974-detail/story.htmlDavies left fuming as Blues clinch victory with injury time conversion The Cornishman 22 March 2012 78 325 March 2012 Rotherham Titans H W25–1719232ndhttps://archive.today/20130505073622/http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/Pointer-s-pair-tries-help-Pirates-overcome-poor/story-15625752-detail/story.htmlStraughan Dick Pirates overcome poor start to record first play-off win The Cornishman 29 March 2012 78 431 March 2012Rotherham Titans A W17–1412222ndhttps://archive.today/20130505081300/http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/Pirates-brink-semis-Titans-double/story-15678729-detail/story.htmlStraughan Dick Pirates one win from semis after clinching Titans double The Cornishman 5 April 2012 78 515 April 2012Bedford Blues H W21–2021392ndhttps://archive.today/20130505074740/http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/Pirates-reach-play-offs-point-win/story-15829126-detail/story.htmlStraughan Dick Pirates seal semi-final berth as Stirling bids emotional farewell The Cornishman 19 April 2012 74 621 April 2012Leeds Carnegie  A L25–4215882ndhttps://archive.today/20130505073300/http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/changed-Pirates-labour-comprehensive-defeat-away/story-15890700-detail/story.htmlStraughan Dick Play-off matches The Cornishman 1 March 2012 76Straughan Dick Davies focussed on semi finals after heavy defeat at Headingley The Cornishman 26 April 2012 78 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 report Bristol Mennaye Field, Penzance 2983 J P Doyle ENG 13 May 2012 12:45 Bristol 29–18 report Cornish Pirates Memorial Stadium, Bristol S Davey ENG Final 23 May 2012 19:45 Cornish Pirates 21 – 37 report London Welsh Mennaye Field, Penzance 3205 G Garner (RFU) 30 May 2012 19:45 London Welsh 29 – 20 report Cornish Pirates Kassam Stadium, Oxford 3456 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.http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/welsh-clubs-discover-british-irish-1828293 Welsh clubs discover British and Irish Cup opponents June 19, 2011 WalesOnline Pool one fixtures DateOpponentsH / AResultScoreVenueAttendanceMatch ReportRef21 September 2011Bristol H W50–22The Mennaye1612Straughan Dick Second half fightback gets cup campaign off to winning start The Cornishman 29 September 2011 74 12 October 2011Plymouth Albion A W38–0Brickfields1425Straughan Dick Experimental Pirates squad cruise to comfortable cup victory at Brickfields The Cornishman 20 October 2011 12 November 2011Munster A A W10–6Clonmel RFC1207https://archive.today/20130505090408/http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/Stoppage-time-penalty-try-earns-Pirates-thrilling/story-13862360-detail/story.htmlStraughan Dick Stoppage-time penalty try earns Pirates dramatic win The Cornishman 17 November 2011 78 18 December 2011 Cross Keys H W30–3The Mennaye2259https://archive.today/20130505065614/http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/Pirates-ease-victory-Welshmen/story-14198939-detail/story.htmlStraughan Dick Pirates ease into last eight with victory over Welshmen The Cornishman 22 December 2011 78 Pool one final table none The Cornishman 22 December 2011 78British & Irish Cup Tables https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/tables/8369048.stm BBC 11 April 2012 TeamPlayedWonDrawnLostForAgainstBPPtsENG Cornish Pirates (1) 4 4 0 0 128 31 2 18SCO Ayr 4 2 0 2 44 72 1 9ENG Moseley 4 2 0 2 46 106 0 8WAL Neath 4 1 0 3 62 108 1 5 Quarter–final DateOpponentsH / AResultScoreVenueAttendanceMatch ReportRef22 January 2012Nottingham Rugby H W33–3The Mennaye1492https://archive.today/20130505123440/http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/Pirates-run-tries-surge-past-Nottingham-B-amp-Cup/story-15010574-detail/story.htmlStraughan Dick Five-try Pirates surge into semi finals The Cornishman 26 January 2012 76 Semi–final DateOpponentsH / AResultScoreVenueAttendanceMatch ReportRef7 April 2012Cross Keys A L16–20Pandy Park2500https://archive.today/20130505132450/http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/Pirates-suffer-semi-final-heartbreak-Wales/story-15747190-detail/story.htmlStraughan Dick Agony for Pirates as Welsh underdogs exact cup revenge The Cornishman 12 April 2012 78 Squad 2011–12 ENG HK Tom Cowan–Dickie Exeter Chiefs GER HK Rob Elloway ENG HK Dave Ward ENG PR Paul Andrew ENG PR Lloyd Fairbrother Exeter Chiefs RSA PR Rudi Brits ENG PR Alan Paver Exeter Chiefs ENG PR Carl Rimmer ENG PR Ryan Storer NZL LK Laurie McGlone ENG LK Mike Myerscough SCO LK Ian Nimmo ENG LK Matt Smith ENG FL Phil Burgess ENG FL Dave Ewers Exeter Chiefs ENG FL Chris Morgan ENG FL Ben Maidment NZL N8 Blair Cowan ENG N8 Kyle Marriott WAL SH Gavin Cattle ENG SH James Doherty ENG SH Tom Kessell NZL FH Johnny Bentley WAL FH Ceiron Thomas ENG FH Aaron Penberthy ENG CE Drew Locke ENG CE Sam Hill Exeter Chiefs USA CE Andrew Suniula ENG CE Tom Cooper ENG CE Ryan Westren WAL WG Wes Davies WAL WG Rhodri McAtee WAL WG Darren Daniel ENG WG David Doherty ENG WG Grant Pointer ENG WG Charlie Walker–Blair Exeter Chiefs ENG FB Rob Cook CAN FB Matt Evans Straughan Dick We're going for it again, vows Pirates owner The Cornishman 26 May 2011 80Straughan Dick Rivals say Pirates are among the favourites The Cornishman 1 September 2011 78–9 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)Straughan Dick Pirates ready to turn on style as Blues head west The Cornishman 6 October 2011 76 Charles Walker–Blair (Exeter Chiefs) Internationally Capped Players Andrew Suniula joined the Pirates after the 2011 World Cup. Transfers 2011–12 Players In ENG Tom Cooper (from WAL Newport Gwent Dragons) ENG David Doherty (from ENG Jersey) ENG Tom Kessell (from ENG Plymouth Albion) ENG Ben Maidment (from ENG Moseley) ENG Matt Smith (from WAL UWICNigel Walrond. Cornish Pirates. Pirates say fond farewells to popular Mennaye men. 'Independent' 29 May 2011 ENG Ryan Westren (from ENG Launceston) moved to London Scottish in December 2011Westren makes Scottish switch The Cornishman 15 December 2011 67 USA Andrew Suniula (from USA Chicago Griffins) WAL Darren Daniel (from WAL Carmarthen Quins) https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/13279578 BBC News Cornish Pirates sign Welsh winger Darren Daniel 2011-05-04 WAL Ceiron Thomas (from ENG Leeds Carnegie) CAN Matt Evans (from WAL Newport Gwent Dragons) https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/13158286 BBC News Cornish Pirates swoop for seven new signings 2011-04-21Walrond Nigel Pirates sign Canadian after Davies injury blow Independent 23 October 2011 59 Players Out ENG Sam Betty (to ENG Worcester Warriors) NZL Blair Cowan (to ENG Worcester Warriors in January 2012) SCO James Currie (to ENG Worcester Warriors) ENG Ben Gulliver (to ENG Worcester Warriors) RSA Tyrone Holmes (released) ENG Matt Hopper (to ENG Harlequins) https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/12941759 BBC News Harlequins sign up Cornish Pirates centre Matt Hopper 2011-04-01 RSA Nick Jackson (released) ENG Tom Luke (released) WAL Steve Winn (released) Nigel Walrond. Flanker Betty in shock move to Premiership side Worcester. Independent 31 July 2011. Coaching staff Chris Stirling (NZL) (High Performance Manager) appointed in January 2009 and left club in April 2012. Ian Davies (WAL) (Head Coach) from April 2012. Previously Forwards Coach appointed in April 2009. Harvey Biljon (RSA) (Backs Coach) appointed in April 2009. Simon Raynes (NZL) (Strength and Conditioning Coach) since summer 2005. Chris Stirling to help Cornish Pirates coaches https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/17740527 BBC 4 June 2012 Simon Raynes http://cornish-pirates.com/rugby/coaching-staff/simon-raynes/ Cornish Pirates 4 June 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20150915002311/http://cornish-pirates.com/rugby/coaching-staff/simon-raynes/ 15 September 2015 dead See also Cornwall 2011–12 RFU Championship 2011-12 British and Irish Cup References 3 External links Cornish Pirates Cornish Pirates unofficial fans site Cornish Rugby Category:Cornish Pirates seasons Cornish Pirates Cornish Pirates