Cornish Pirates’ Tom Channon announces retirement

Cornish Pirates hooker and top try scorer Tom Channon will be retiring after his final game for the club tomorrow.

The Championship Cup quarter-final 1^st Leg encounter at home to Bedford Blues (ko 2.30pm) will mark 31-year-old Tom’s 155^th appearance for the Pirates, nearing the end of what has been an especially remarkable season for him.

During this season, he has not only since made 23 appearances, but in the process has scored 16 tries in the Championship as the club’s top try-scorer. He was also nominated in the Championship’s team of the season.

Pirates head coach Gavin Cattle told the club website: “So, it is retirement 2 for Tom! In all seriousness though, since answering our SOS call at the beginning of the season he had a new lease of life and we have been very grateful.

“Obviously, he has had some tough challenges with his knee injuries over the years, but he came through them with determination and has contributed massively both on and off the field.

“As for this year, he deserves enormous credit for what he has achieved, and he has also fully deserved the plaudits that have come his way.”