Olympic Pirates Squad News

Squad News
May 2nd 2008

The British Olympics Association has confirmed that a special rugby match will take place at Wembley Stadium on the 3rd December to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Olympic Games being held in London, with the re-staging of the 1908 Rugby Union final between Great Britain and Australia.

It was actually the Cornwall team who represented Great Britain back in 1908, the Duchy being invited to take part because they were the County Champions of England, having earlier in the year beaten Durham in the final played at Redruth

This year's special match will be between the Barbarians and Australia, the first worldwide recognition of the achievement of those 15 Cornishmen a century ago.

Although the Cornish side was disappointingly beaten 32-3 by Australia (the only other side competing in the competition) at the White City Stadium, history had nonetheless been made and the Cornish players were each presented with an Olympic cap of red and white. An Olympic Silver Medal was also theirs and was actually 'drawn for' by the players, and won by 'Chicky' Wedge from St. Ives.

The Cornish Pirates have made their Cornish players available for the 2008 centenary re-match, even though the Pirates could be involved in their challenge for promotion from National Division One at the time.

Chief Executive Rod Coward has made the offer due to the significance of the game to Cornwall, commenting: "It is a source of great pride in Cornwall that the 1908 Olympic side was made up of 15 Cornishmen and we think it would be appropriate for the 2008 side to contain at least one Cornishman who currently plays in Cornwall. The Cornish Pirates have players such as Adryan Winnan who would not look out of place on such an occasion, and would, I believe, demonstrate the famous spirit of rugby. We hope that the Barbarians will look favourably upon this and make sure that Cornwall and Cornish rugby players are involved"

Adryan Winnan at Lanson In September 07

The actual Cornwall team that represented Great Britain back in 1908 showed four changes from the one that had beaten Durham. It was as follows:-

E.J. Jackett (Falmouth), J. Jose Albion), F. Dean (Albion), Bert Solomon (Redruth)
Barney Solomon (Redruth), T. G. Wedge (St. Ives), J. Davey (Redruth)
R. Jackett (Falmouth), E. J. Jones (Plymouth), A. J. Wilson (Camborne School of Mines)
N. Tregurtha (St. Ives), T. Lawry (Redruth), J. Marshall (Albion), J. Willcocks Plymouth)
J. Trevaskis (St. Ives).

Tickets for the match are now on sale
Tel 0844 847 2500
Or www.ticketmaster.co.uk