Capt Geoffrey Crawshay during the 17th Annual Tour 1938.
"We are told that ripples caused by a pebble thrown into a pond spread ever outward gathering momentum on the way. In April 1922 at the invitation of the then Secretary of Devonport Services, Engineer Commander SF Cooper, I took a team of Welshmen to play the Services in Devonport. Since then I have enjoyed the hospitality of Services players as far from the Rectory Field as Ceylon and China, and in April 1952 Crawshay's Welsh XV paid their 21st visit to Devonport and their 20th to Camborne. A single stone thrown perchance into the ocean of Rugby Fixtures in 1922 caused a ripple which in 1952 became our anniversary wave. As with all solidly established organisations the growth of this touring side has been gradual and spontaneous to which many generations of players have contributed of their diversities of gifts."

A report from the Western Morning News on 23rd April 1924 on the Crawshay's game against Devonport Services.
Thrilling rugby at the Rectory.

Services outplayed by strong side.

A formidable side lined up to oppose the Services at The Rectory, including in its ranks ten Welsh Internationals. Capt. Crawshay’s XV proved too strong for the home team, who were defeated by one goal, one penalty goal and two tries (14) to one goal (5 points).
A large crowd gathered to witness the sporting encounter, in which so exhilarating were the movements initiated by both sides that there was a complete lack of partisanship in regard to which team scored and the ultimate result.
A little more than ordinary interest was centred on the match, because the Services had the assistance of W.J.A.Davies, the England Captain. The game was one of varying phases, and was fought out at a great pace, and on the whole the Services had decidedly the better of the argument in the first half, when Eyres opened the scoring from a pass by Davies, Dobbie converting. Previous to this the home side had missed several chances, although it must be admitted that Davies, Rowlands and Gilbert were unfortunate in attempts to drop for goal.
The visitors soon replied with a try, the result of a brilliant piece of opportunism on the part of Morris (Cross Keys), who snapped up the ball in the loose and eluded the defence in dazzling style.

Forwards assert themselves.
In the second half the heavy Welsh forwards asserted their superiority, and gave the Service defence a worrying time. Their three-quarters too were now combining more effectively.
They gained the lead, however, through a penalty for an infringement in the scrum, Dirt converting from wide out. For a time, chiefly through individual, the Services tried to redeem their setback, but the visitors were not long in their own “25”, and Plummer crowned a good afternoons work with a couple of tries, one of which Birt converted.
The second of the two tries was a fitting end to the best round of passing in the game.
Even though the visitors had a nine point lead at this stage, the match had lost none of its interest, and the ball was sent from end to end, each side coming within an ace of scoring, yet the Services seemed to lack the final sting and thrust necessary to push their attacks home.
Eyres, Gardener, and Stabb were always pictured amongst the home pack, whilst Dobbie and Rowland formed slightly the better wing. There was little to choose between the merits of the respective backs, Gilbert and Maile. Cornish was of great value to the Welshmen with his long kicks, and Birt was always doing good work. Uzzell and Morris of the visitors were the most conspicuous of a hard working pack.