Club History - Teams At Penzance & Newlyn

Pirates Teams From The Past

Pirates Team v Hayle 31st January 1948

This photograph was taken outside of the old 'Nissen Hut' changing rooms on the 31st. January, 1948, before our match versus Hayle which we won 17-3.

There are many fine 'Pirates' in the line-up, with eight of them having the honour of the captaining us during their playing careers.

Standing L-R:
Eddie Hawken, John Phillips, John 'Ginger' Williams, Don Harris, Ron Jenkin, Jack Hoare (whose grandsons Jack and Harry are presently ballboys for the Cornish Pirates), Dave Porritt, Henry Care, Harvey Richards, Referee (Topsy Ham? - someone will confirm!).

Seated middle:
Jack Williams, Ben Perrin, Nicky Williams, Bill Monckton.

Sitting front:
'Tinker' Taylor, Rodda Williams, Mike Terry, Jimmy 'Ock' Hosking.

The Pirates versus Cardiff 1948

The teams pictured below outside the old changing rooms include many famous players, among them a number of international stars from the period.

The young player holding the ball and wearing his recently acquired England Schools U15s cap is Jim Matthews. He skippered the Pirates in 1958-59, playing over 500 games for the Pirates.

The two gentlemen to his right are John 'Ginger' Williams, who later played for England, and Les Williams of Wales. Les, who lived most of his life in Cornwall, and also played for the county (4 caps 1945-48), passed away in January, 2006.

The Pirates at the Middlesex Sevens in April, 1951

Our chosen seven were John 'Ginger' Williams, Mike Terry, Harvey Richards, 'Tinker' Taylor, John Kendall-Carpenter, Jack Gunn and Jimmy Jenkin. The reserves were Mike Jenkin, Louis Brown, Henry Care, Chris May and Rodda Williams.

An excellent souvenir programme was produced to mark the event and the visit also included two theatre trips.

We unfortunately lost 9-3 to the useful St. Thomas' Hospital side, but it was a memorable experience

Pictured are Jimmy Jenkin, Jack Gunn and 'Tinker' Taylor

Cornwall RFU Seven-a-side winners 1956

In a vintage year, with the Pirates crowned unofficial Cornish Champions, it was no surprise that our gifted team also won the CRFU Sevens, beating Camborne 16-0 in the final.

Back L-R:
Ray Burroughs, Geoff Vingoe, Cyril Rescorla, Charlie May
Seated L-R:
Peter Michell, Jimmy Jenkin (c), Graham Paul

A jubilant 1976 Pirates side win the Cornwall Knock-out Cup for the first time in our history
defeating Redruth 4-3 at Camborne, with 'Nobby' Roberts scoring a memorable match-winning try

Pictured back L-R:
Colin Dymond (captain),Alan Reynolds, Graham Waters, Phil Westren, John White.

Middle:
Jeremy Gilbert, Chris Thomas, Roger Pascoe, Graham Michell, Malcolm Nicholls.

Front:
Neil Care, David 'Nobby' Roberts, George 'Bosun' James (First-aid/kit man), Micky James, Brian Michael, Brian 'Stack' Stevens.

The Pirates had to wait until 1999 before they lifted the trophy once more, a success they repeated again in 2000.