John Stevens Testimonial Match at the Mennaye This Saturday

Some rugby afternoons stick in the memory long after the final whistle. This Saturday at the Mennaye Field in Penzance could well be one of them.

A testimonial match for former Cornish Pirates captain John Stevens takes place on Saturday 13th June, kicking off at 1.30pm. John will skipper a strong Cornish ‘Cornish Pirates’ team against an equally strong Pirates ‘Exiles’ side.

Many of the players named have featured in the Premiership, and there are several former internationals in the mix too. This is one of those games worth turning up for.

More about John Stevens

John, aged 31, made 152 appearances for the Cornish Pirates. Recent and well received news has confirmed that he has been appointed to the role of Player-Coach at Penzance & Newlyn RFC for next season.

The ties to the club run deep. John is a son of the late Brian ‘Stack’ Stevens, a former England international and British & Irish Lion who also represented Penzance & Newlyn RFC. John’s grandfather, Geoff Vingoe, played for the club as well.

John himself is a product of the club’s mini and junior section, having started his rugby journey at Penzance & Newlyn from an early age alongside his brother Sam. And, quite rightly, mum Jane gets a mention too, having always been amazingly supportive.

The line-ups

Cornish ‘Cornish Pirates’

15 Kyle Moyle, 14 Max Bodilly, 13 Tom Hendrickson, 12 Joe Elderkin, 11 Arthur Relton, 10 Aaron Penberthy, 9 Rob Coote, 1 Jack Andrew, 2 Tom Cowan-Dickie, 3 Tyler Gendall, 4 Matt Bolwell, 5 Jake Parker, 6 Sam Matavesi, 7 John Stevens (captain), 8 Tom Duncan.

Replacements: Darren Dawidiuk, Alfie Petch, Paul Andrew, Sam Stevens, Edd Pascoe, Brad Howe, Jack Simmons, Robin Wedlake.

Pirates ‘Exiles’

15 Mike Pope, 14 Rhodri McAtee, 13 Callum Patterson, 12 Nico De Battista, 11 Matt Evans, 10 Harry Bazalgette, 9 Alex Schwarz, 1 Jams Kenny, 2 Tom Channon, 3 Marlen Walker, 4 Rupert Cooper, 5 Danny Cutmore, 6 Will Crane, 7 Alex Everett, 8 Dan Lee (captain).

Replacements: Morgan Nelson, Peter Joyce, Will James, Dave Ward, Stan Somers, Gavin Cattle, Tom Luke, Bar Bartlett, Alex Ducker, Tom Riley.

📷Cornish Pirates vs BathPrem CupFT 23-29