The chocolate gorging weekend kicks off with the arrival of Imperial Medics in what has become a traditional Easter fixture. Imperial are a relatively new side, having been founded in 1997 following an amalgamation with Westminster & Charing Cross Hospital sides together with St Mary's the oldest and most successful medical rugby side in the country, having been founded in 1865, six years before the RFU itself.

Redruth's relationship with St Mary's goes back to the season of 1927/28 when the hospital side came down to Cornwall for one of the Easter tours that were such a feature of rugby at the time. St Mary's were also one of the first touring sides to come to Redruth when rugby resumed after the end of the Second World War. In 1947 Redruth faced St Mary's on their own turf for the very first time losing 20-11. Among the medical students playing that day was Keith Scott who would later play for the Reds and go on to captain England.

St Mary's has produced many internationals over the years, one of the most notable being the Welsh full-back, J.P.R Williams. He cam down to Redruth on Good Friday 1975, having been selected as part of the St Mary's team to celebrate Redruth's 100th anniversary. Unfortunately the match had to be abandoned as an unseasonable blizzard meant that no one could see the ball.