A runaround on the beach heralded two great institutions at the heart of the Westcountry joining forces.
The famous Cornish Pirates rugby team have announced they will be supporting the RNLI as their chosen charity for the 2013-14 season.
The partnership will mean regular appearances by volunteers of the RNLI at home games and the championship side will also wear a Proud to Support RNLI logo on their shorts.
The Cornish Pirates who play in the Green King IPA Championships, have close links to the RNLI not least of which include the four former players who are now part of the lifesaving team at the Penlee lifeboat station.
They include Coxswain/Mechanic Patrick 'Patch' Harvey, Dave Pascoe, Wayne Davey and Adrian Bick.
John Blewett, who tragically lost his life in the Penlee lifeboat disaster, was also a former player and coach of the popular Cornish side.
Phil Westren, from the Cornish Pirates, said they were proud to back the RNLI.
"Everyone in Cornwall will be aware of the importance of the RNLI and the role played by its crew members, for whom we have the utmost respect.
"The players will be honoured to wear the Proud to Support RNLI logo on their shorts and during the season we will naturally be keen to help raise funds for what is a much cherished charity."
Lifeboat crew volunteers and lifeguards from the RNLI met some of the Cornish Pirates players on the beach at Gwithian near Hayle where they were supported by Josh Lewsey, chief executive of the Cornish Pirates and former Wasps, England and British Lions player and a World Cup winner in 2003.
Among the RNLI team was Patch Harvey who said: "We share so many values," he said. "The RNLI looks to its volunteers and its staff being selfless, dependable, trustworthy and courageous and the Cornish Pirates ask much the same of their players.
"We all work close to the sea too so there's that link and I'm always amazed how many of the RNLI crew in West Cornwall have ties to the club that go back over many years."
A positive RNLI presence will be seen at a number of Cornish Pirates games this coming season, starting with the match against the Cornish Clubs XV to be played on Friday August 30.
The Cornish Pirates expect to continue supporting other worthy charitable causes as they have in the past, including the Children's Hospice South West.
