50 Years On: Cornish Pirates’ 1976 Cup Heroes Reunite This Weekend

This month marks 50 years since the Pirates of Penzance & Newlyn RFC lifted the Cornwall KO Cup for the first time in their history, following a dramatic final against Redruth in 1976.

The Pirates secured the trophy with a narrow 4–3 victory at Camborne, in what was described as a pulsating final. A memorable try from wing Nobby Roberts proved decisive on the day.

Now, five decades later, surviving members of that historic side are set to reunite.

Reunion at the clubhouse

Ten members of the 1976 team will gather at the clubhouse on Saturday lunchtime ahead of the present-day Pirates’ Regional 2 South West league match against Crediton later that afternoon.

Those attending the reunion are full-back Malcolm Nicholls, wings Nobby Roberts and Neil Care, centre Jeremy Gilbert, backrowers Colin Dymond, John White and Phil Westren, second-row Alan Reynolds, hooker Chris Thomas and prop Brian Michael.

Colin Dymond captained the Pirates during that memorable cup run.

Remembering teammates

Five members of the 1976 squad have sadly passed away and will also be remembered during the gathering.

They are centre Mick James, halfbacks Roger Pascoe and Graham Michell, second row Graham ‘Granite’ Waters, and prop Brian ‘Stack’ Stevens.

A historic victory

The win over Redruth in 1976 was a significant moment for the Pirates. The club had narrowly missed out on the Cornwall KO Cup the previous year, losing the 1975 final to Falmouth.

After their breakthrough victory in 1976, the Pirates did not win the competition again until 1999, when they defeated Launceston in the final. They repeated that success in 2000, again beating Launceston, which remains their most recent Cornwall KO Cup triumph.

The reunion this Saturday promises to be a nostalgic occasion as former teammates come together to remember a landmark moment in the club’s history.

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