April
27th 2009 Visiting Cornwall last week, former 'Wallabies' prop forward
Eric Tweedale enjoyed a nostalgic return. 
Eric
with his daughter Kay at Westholme
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approaching his 88th birthday, Eric played for Australia against Cornwall &
Devon back in September 1947, following a three-week stay in Penzance preparing
for their opening game of a mammoth 41 games tour. The
match was played at Camborne, where he was once again last Saturday as a special
guest of the Cornish Pirates for the final game of the season against London Welsh.
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Eric
attended pre-match hospitality, watched the game from the main grandstand, and
at the Annual Awards ceremony that followed presented the 'Monckton Cup for Achievement'
to young Luke Cowan-Dickie. Luke has recently played for
England U16s, and it was a case of one international prop forward meeting another!. On
Monday evening, Eric visited the Pirates 'Westholme' clubhouse to browse memorabilia
and recall memories of his visit with friends and representatives from both the
Pirates and Camborne clubs. The Camborne club was
represented by Mike Trott, Brian Smith, and former England full-back John Collins,
whilst Pirates included numerous stalwarts, such as president Robin Turner, archivist
Phil Westren, who organised the gathering, and former club captain Harvey Richards. | Presenting
the 'Monckton Cup to Luke Cowan-Dickie | | | | Robert
Trezise, the grandson of J.T. Trezise who was the Mayor of Penzance back in 1947,
was also present. Mayor Trezise, along with Barrie Bennetts, Mavis Lawry and Rex
Carr were personalities who played leading roles in helping make the Wallabies
feel so welcome during their time spent in Penzance back in 1947, when they were
accommodated at the Marine Hotel. Also, there was an opportunity
for Eric to meet up with 'Walter', a stuffed wallaby, who was presented by the
grateful Australians to the Pirates. Walter has always been given a place of honour
in the clubhouse. 
For
his revisit, Eric, along with his daughter Kay and son-in-law Bob, have stayed
with friends Betty and Simon Rodda at the Cliff Hotel, Penzance, where fond memories
have once again been rekindled. Yes, certain things in life are very special and
the friendships made through the game of rugby football are indeed enduring. 
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