Writing in the Telegraph, Brendan Gallagher delves back into the archives for a look at the 1908 Olympic rugby final, commemorated by the Barbarians v Australia clash at Wembley, and finds that while the result wasn't favourable for Cornwall, a good time was had by all.
"The Cornish, with no realistic prospect of victory and with such limited notice, understandably decided to make the London trip a gala occasion, a reward for their previous efforts. The travelling squad – or those in the far west – met at Penzance station on Sunday October 25 to catch the 8.25am 'London Flyer' to Paddington.
"Spirits were sky high and when they pulled into Plymouth to meet the remainder of the party it was decided to adjourn to the Royal Hotel for a not entirely teetotal lunch. The Cornish party eventually pulled into Paddington at 8.15pm and went off in search of wine, women and song.
"With no great enthusiasm they dragged themselves off to a dank White City Stadium where, already missing a couple of key players - notably their British Lions forward and star of the country final that year F S Jackson – they encountered a pumped-up Aussie side who administered the mother of all thrashings, winning 32-3 and outscoring their opponents six tries to one."
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