Penzance Grammar School versus Truro Cathedral School 1950/1951 (Rugby)

Penzance Grammar Scool? laugh#

If he could spell Cathedral I suspect that scool was a joke. In the 1950s, one got caned for that sort of spelling! laugh#

That looks like Mr Harvey at the left hand end (as viewed) of middle row.

The occasion was the first ever official rugby match played by the Penzance Grammar School and most of the boys had learnt their rugby with the original Mount`s Bay RFC (which became the Pirates Colts). Mr P.M. Holman (with moustache) President of the R.F.U is sitting 5th from left, third from left is Mr. T.C. Rising (head) and 4th is Col Bolitho, I believe, Chairman of the Governors. Mann and P. Harvey became Chairman and Secretary respectively of the Pirates RFC in the 1990s. The only teachers in the photo are Ben Batten in the mac and Freddie Jarvis in the refereee outfit. There are at least 2 full county players and a future Oxford Blue (J. Glover) in that photo. Other men are Cornwall RFU officials.

Do you have any further information on the original Mount s Bay RFC and its origins? I would love to know if you do, please!

Newyn, Penzance and the Prates by Ben Batten refers to the opening match of the Club in 1945, where there was mention in the programme of the recently-formed Mount`s Bay RFC. This provided Under 18s with rugby where there was little or no provision in the Schools. There were Colts games against the Colts teams around the County and some Public Schools. Eventually they were renamed as the Pirates Colts and the Mount`s Bay nomenclature fell into disuse. They sometimes fielded 2 sides and there are some photos in Ben Batten`s book.

Thanks very much for what you have added, newlynmawe. I don t know if you read threads on the Mount s Bay RFC forum but Evidence of the Origins of Mount s bay Rugby is a means for me to learn such things as you mention here and i have referred to your last comment there. I am in fact compiling a potted history of Mount s Bay Rugby and find your comments of great relevance! I am wondering if it s possible to access Ben Batten s book in the Library!

Ben`s book was published in 1978 and the ISBN is 0 9506301 0 1. It should be available at the library or from the Pirates Club. Nice to know someone is interested in the old days of rugby locally.

Thanks once again, newlynmawe; I shall try the reference library for that book first and take it from there. By the way, I too m an ex-pupil of the Penzance G.S. but my school life there began in 1959 so I am a mere youngster! laugh# Are you able to follow rugby as a spectator nowadays? I m a Mount s Bay fan myself.