(Cont..) For the opening match it had been impossible to get the new jerseys in the right colours, so the Newlyn red and white were worn. The Souvenir programme was priced 6d, and the first club notes were written by Rex Carr. Admission was one shilling, service personnel in uniform and schoolboys 6d, and the ball used had been autographed by the selectors and all those who played in the 1939 Calcutta Cup match. Former Penzance and England international Barrie Bennetts, who had been named President of the Cornwall RFU, kicked the game off.

For those involved in the new club, it must have been very emotional time, with new heroes about to be born at the 'Minney', as the area was at one time called, with its earlier tithe and monastic associations. There was certainly a unifying spirit, and most importantly the Pirates of Penzance & Newlyn had been launched and were on their way!

Phil Westren

(Photographs displayed are of the two teams that faced each other on the 22nd September 1945, and of Penzance RFC’s former England international Barrie Bennetts, who kicked the game off.)