The Early Years
During
the Christmas holidays of 1870, the first recorded game of rugby to be played
in West Cornwall took place at Poltair, a gentleman's residence at the bottom
of Madron Hill, near Penzance. One team, raised by W.Borlase of Marlborough
School, comprised local young men, who were mainly up at university or away at
boarding school. Their opponents were from the Eastern Telegraph Company (later
to become Cable and Wireless) at Porthcurno. This, then, was the genesis
of the game in West Cornwall and from such roots were born Penzance RFC in 1876
and Newlyn RFC in, probably, 1894. Two clubs combine
Penzance
played at the St Clare ground on the northern approach to the town, while Newlyn's
pitch was at St. Goulder, overlooking Newlyn Coombe. Relationships between the
two Clubs were hardly ever amicable and, indeed, between 1929 and 1932, fixtures
between the two were cancelled by the police in the interest of public order!
However, relationships began to mellow during the late 1930s, assisted
subsequently by the temporary suspension of sporting activities during World War
II. By 1944, there existed a strong desire to amalgamate on both sides, with the
result that, on 22 September 1945, a new club - Penzance and Newlyn RFC - played
its first match against Guy's Hospital on the Mennaye Field. The Mennaye
was, and still is, perfectly sited in tribal terms, so symbolically equidistant
from St. Goulder and St. Clare. The field itself is leased from Penwith District
Council, but the Club owns the freehold of its superb, nationally famous Clubhouse,
Westholme  |
Dedication' of the new club's flag prior to Penzance & Newlyn RFC's
first
ever match.at the Mennaye Field on the 22nd. September, 1945 |
It shows Mrs. Mavis Lawry (President 1945-66) speaking following the 'dedication'
of the new club's flag - an honour which had been performed by the Mayor's chaplain,
the Rev. A.C. Williams. Other officials pictured L-R are
Barrie Bennetts
(who 'kicked' the game versus Guy's Hospital off) Alderman Robert Thomas (the
Mayor of Penzance), and Rex Carr, the club's most wise and able Secretary.
Historic
Occasion 22nd. September, 1945
Former England International Barrie
B. Bennetts kicks-off the very first match played between the Pirates and Guy's
Hospital. Barrie was President of the Cornwall RFU (1945-50)
Post
War Peaks & Troughs See 1950s & 60s During
the 50s and 60s, the Pirates were amongst the most well-known and respected Clubs
in thecountry, hosting some of the finest teams in the land. However, during
the late 60s, the 70s and the 80s, young people took up different pursuits and
touring teams could no longer afford to visit the far west. Full
story 1950s & 60s>>
New Leagues Lead To A Revival
see the future When the new English
leagues were formulated in the late 1980s, the Pirates found themselves in the
lower echelons and many young talented players went elsewhere to play at a higher
level. Meanwhile, a local man, Dicky Evans, himself an ex-Pirate, had become
a successful businessman, based in East Africa. He played rugby for East Africa
and Kenya for 12 years, mainly in the centre and, latterly, as team captain. His
passion for the Pirates was immensely strong, but he was much distressed to see
the Club's lowly status amongst the minnows of the game. In the early 90s,
he decided to make an offer to the Club, with a view to bringing back to the Mennaye
the standard of rugby which he remembered as a young man. His help was
mainly aimed at improving the facilities of the Club but, in 1996, rugby world-wide
was allowed to go professional and he felt that he could do much more. He has
done just that and the Pirates' senior side now play a standard of rugby that
has increased dramatically, as have the gates.
The Pirates field
numerous teams each weekend. There is an 'amateur' 2nd XV, Mini-Junior,
and Colts sides. The Chiefs side, called the 'Cornish Pirates',play in National
League 1, having become Champions of National League 2 in April 2003. | 
