Following a successful season which has seen them finish third in National 1 - their highest ever league standing - a gathering of over 200 attended the Cornish Pirates’ annual Awards Evening on Sunday.

For invited players, officials and volunteers, plus their partners, it was a time for relaxation and enjoyment in the ‘Westholme’ clubhouse and adjacent marquee, all present welcomed by club chairman Robin Turner.

A special guest, making a weekend visit to present the awards, was former Wasps player Alan Black, an experienced rugby man who has held various posts at Twickenham since 1985

Alan was introduced by Phil Westren who announced and took the opportunity to express a few words about each award winner.

Blazer badges for having played 50 games for the Pirates were presented to Lee Jarvis and Wes Davies

Merit ties presented to Alan Paver, for playing 100 games & Heino Senekal for playing for Namibia

• Gavin Cattle
  Travelling Supporters’ Player of the Year & Sportsman of the Year
  The announcement of the final main award is always awaited with interest. It went to a popular performer - Gavin Cattle. Someone who always has time to speak to people, to sign an autograph, a leader who plays with immense passion and commitment, a great example to all both on and off the field

• Sam Betty
  Most Improved Player

• Alan Paver
  The Stirling Cup for Commitment

• Rhodri McAtee

  The Monckton Cup for Achievement, no surprise following his exploits with Wales in both the IRB Sevens and the Commonwealth Games – (Rhodri was wearing his Commonwealth Games suit for the occasion).

  The Roger Pascoe Cup for the Supporters’ Player of the Year

  Try of the Season – sponsored by Follett Stock
  This award also went to Rhodri, the supporters choice being the Welsh whippet’s hat-trick score against Doncaster – the fleet-footed magician receiving a pass from Wes Davies to then run in mesmeric style to blitz the last line of defence and score.

• Scott Dugdale
  Clubman of the Year – a popular and deserved winner for his efforts both on and off the field to revamp the Pirates ‘amateur’ 2nd. XV – Scott Dugdale.

Before the main award some extra presentations were made, the first being a framed picture of the Mennaye Fields to Joe Bearman in recognition of his playing services to the Pirates 1997-2006.

The popular performer had also had the honour of receiving ‘The President’s Cup’ the day before – Cornish Pirates’ director Martin Hudson having made the presentation after the London Welsh game on behalf of Dicky Evans.

Treve Stirling and Paul Quayle, two Colts coaches present, were re-presented with Cornwall 7-a-side trophy

Their team having earlier in the day won it for the first time since 1968,

Players Choice Awards **

Having witnessed hidden ability in prop Alan Paver, when he hosted a 'Ready, Steady, Cook' show at Mounts Bay's School's Healthy Eating evening earlier in the year, it was the turn of Lee Jarvis to step forward as an entertaining public speaker/comedian at the successful Cornish Pirates' Awards Night held at the clubhouse on Sunday.

Besides the main awards overseen by club archivist Phil Westren, there were three slightly different and unusual tongue-in-cheek awards presented, and no doubt instigated, by a leisurely Lee.

The awards made, with Lee using resonant Welsh tones to highlight reasons for each choice, went to:-

Most 'Boring Player of the Year' - Alan Paver (for continually ranting on about the art of front-row play).

'Poser of the Year' - a clear winner - Richard Welding.

'Dullest Player of the Year' - Kev-in "I always break the gain line, me" James.

Were they embarrassed? Not in the slightest, each taking it in good fun, the 'audience' lapping up the non-scheduled presentations made.

Formal requirements completed, a buffet followed for all - finishing off a deservedly enjoyable evening.