Ben Batten

A Newlyn towner and respected teacher.

Ben was a member of the 1927-28 Newlyn Old Boys' side, he played for both the Newlyn and Penzance clubs, and then later for Penzance & Newlyn RFC.

Indeed, he played in the Pirates' very first match, and also captained them in that first 1945-46 season.

He was secretary of our Mount's Bay RFC youth side, served for many years on the Pirates' Supporters Committee and also wrote the match programme notes.

He served on the Cornwall RFU Executive Committee and was a county selector.

In 1952 he initiated rugby as an official game at the Humphry Davy Grammar school, and for ten years took an active part in the Cornwall Public and Grammar Schools' organisation.