2011–12 Cornish Pirates RFC season

Pre–season Friendlies

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.

24 September H v Leed Carnegie televised on Sky Sports

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.

Group B table (Promotion)

• 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

Final

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.

Pool one fixtures

Pool one final table

Quarter–final

Semi–final

Squad 2011–12

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)
• 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 UWIC
• ENG Ryan Westren (from ENG Launceston) moved to London Scottish in December 2011
• USA Andrew Suniula (from USA Chicago Griffins)
• WAL Darren Daniel (from WAL Carmarthen Quins)
• WAL Ceiron Thomas (from ENG Leeds Carnegie)
• CAN Matt Evans (from WAL Newport Gwent Dragons)

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)
• RSA Nick Jackson (released)
• ENG Tom Luke (released)
• WAL Steve Winn (released)

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.

References

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.
6. Straughan, Dick. (22 September 2011). "Cowan's last-gasp try clinches dramatic win". The Cornishman.
7. Straughan, Dick. (29 September 2011). "Pirates stun relegated Leeds to go top of Championship". The Cornishman.
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.
13. Straughan, Dick. (10 November 2011). "Pirates go top after season's best display". The Cornishman.
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.
17. Straughan, Dick. (15 December 2011). "Biljon stumped for words after Headingley woe". The Cornishman.
18. Straughan, Dick. (29 December 2011). "Christmas cheer for Pirates after bonus point derby win". The Cornishman.
19. Straughan, Dick. (5 January 2011). "No haoppy start to the new year for Pirates". The Cornishman.
20. Straughan, Dick. (12 January 2012). "Cook holds his nerve as Pirates leave it late". The Cornishman.
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.
23. Straughan, Dick. (16 February 2012). "Happy Monday for the Pirates at Clifton Lane". The Cornishman.
24. "Match Details". rugby round-up.
25. Straughan, Dick. (23 February 2012). "Nimmo finds best form as Pirates win bruising derby". The Cornishman.
26. Straughan, Dick. (1 March 2012). "Pirates seal third spot with scrappy bonus point victory". The Cornishman.
27. "Cornish Pirates".
28. Straughan, Dick. (15 March 2012). "Stirling slams Pirates as 'rubbish' after they struggle to home draw". The Cornishman.
29. (22 March 2012). "Davies left fuming as Blues clinch victory with injury time conversion". The Cornishman.
30. Straughan, Dick. (29 March 2012). "Pirates overcome poor start to record first play-off win". The Cornishman.
31. Straughan, Dick. (5 April 2012). "Pirates one win from semis after clinching Titans double". The Cornishman.
32. Straughan, Dick. (19 April 2012). "Pirates seal semi-final berth as Stirling bids emotional farewell". The Cornishman.
33. Straughan, Dick. (1 March 2012). "Play-off matches". [[The Cornishman (newspaper).
34. Straughan, Dick. (26 April 2012). "Davies focussed on semi finals after heavy defeat at Headingley". The Cornishman.
35. (June 19, 2011). "Welsh clubs discover British and Irish Cup opponents".
36. Straughan, Dick. (29 September 2011). "Second half fightback gets cup campaign off to winning start". The Cornishman.
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.
39. Straughan, Dick. (22 December 2011). "Pirates ease into last eight with victory over Welshmen". The Cornishman.
40. (22 December 2011). "none". The Cornishman.
41. "British & Irish Cup Tables". BBC.
42. Straughan, Dick. (26 January 2012). "Five-try Pirates surge into semi finals". The Cornishman.
43. Straughan, Dick. (12 April 2012). "Agony for Pirates as Welsh underdogs exact cup revenge". The Cornishman.
44. Straughan, Dick. (26 May 2011). "We're going for it again, vows Pirates owner". The Cornishman.
45. Straughan, Dick. (1 September 2011). "Rivals say Pirates are among the favourites". The Cornishman.
46. Straughan, Dick. (6 October 2011). "Pirates ready to turn on style as Blues head west". The Cornishman.
47. Nigel Walrond. Cornish Pirates. Pirates say fond farewells to popular Mennaye men. 'Independent' 29 May 2011
48. (15 December 2011). "Westren makes Scottish switch". The Cornishman.
49. (2011-05-04). "Cornish Pirates sign Welsh winger Darren Daniel". BBC News.
50. (2011-04-21). "Cornish Pirates swoop for seven new signings". BBC News.
51. Walrond, Nigel. (23 October 2011). "Pirates sign Canadian after Davies injury blow". Independent.
52. (2011-04-01). "Harlequins sign up Cornish Pirates centre Matt Hopper". BBC News.
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.
55. "Simon Raynes". Cornish Pirates.