Cornish Pirates

PLAYER PROFILE Matt Evans - 2004/2010
	D.O.B 30.5.82 Nationality Benoni, South Africa Birthplace South African Height 6' 4" (1.93m) Weight 16st 7lbs (104.8kg) Position No. 8/Flanker Previous clubs Worcester, Gloucester Honours England, Students & Counties Barbarians Starts Rep Tries Cons Pens Drops Pts Season 2009/2010 9 11 0 0 0 0 0 Season 2008/2009 10 4 1 0 0 0 5 Season 2007/2008 13 10 0 0 0 0 0 Season 2006/2006 19 14 3 0 0 0 15

Many of us first saw Matt when he played for Worcester against us at the Mennaye Field in March, 2004, the 'Warriors' winning 49-24 just a few weeks before at last ending the season as deserved Champions of National One.

Just two months later we were delighted to announce that the powerful young back-rower had signed from Worcester along with centre Duncan Murray.

With a name like 'Evans' it was felt that this South African had roots in Wales, but no, his parents emigrated from York in 1979 along with his brother and two sisters.

As a youngster Matt enjoyed playing cricket, representing Natal at various levels, until in his early teens he became bigger and stronger for rugby to take preference. When he was 18 and playing for Natal U19s, an invitation was given him to join Hartpury College, Gloucester, which he accepted, playing also for the 'Cherry & Whites' before joining Worcester.

Impressing in his early games for the Pirates, Matt scored a super try with a man-of-the-match performance against Coventry in September, 2004, to help record our first league win of that season. A week later, however, on the last Saturday of the month, personal disaster struck in the away match at Nottingham when he seriously injured an ankle which sadly kept him out for the rest of the season.

It was a difficult time, but he much appreciated the support given by coaching staff and players, and the best wishes expressed by supporters. Matt did not play again until August, 2005, his frustrations hopefully overcome, though a knee injury at the start of October kept him out for some weeks. At the end of the season a plate was removed from his injured ankle, a summer was spent playing cricket for Penzance, and by the off he was back to his best form.

In 2006-07, Matt made 20 appearances for the Cornish Pirates, but his season ended cruelly when he broke a bone in his leg and damaged ankle ligament in the final match away to Coventry. However, his strength of character saw him bounce back to fitness for 2007-08, when he was honoured to play for the Barbarians and was also a most deserved joint winner of 'The John Stirling Cup for Commitment'.

Matt featured 21 times for the Pirates during the 2008-09 season, bringing his total number of games played to 108.