French beaten at their own game by U12s

1st/2nd October 2005

Maidenhead Under 12s went on their first overseas tour in early October to take part in an International Tournament in Rodez, South West France, thanks in large part to sponsorship from local business Huntswood. 30 sides from France, Spain and the UK took part, including such famous names as Toulouse, Brive, Castres, Bourgoin, Montferrand and Perpignan.

We arrived at Rodez airport to be met by a reception committee of the Maids advance guard who had travelled the day before and our main contact from Rodez. It being lunch time in France, we went straight to lunch! Some time later we were taken to the stadium where the tournament would be played and given a demonstration of the French game. Maids fancied stretching their legs and proceeded to put down a marker by scoring several good tries. Even squad water-boy Cameron Avery got on the pitch for his first flavour of international rugby.

In the evening we were invited to a reception where the Mayor of Rodez was presented with the Armorial Bearings of the Royal Borough and a very positive "entente cordial" was established, despite the players’ innovative idea to use expensive pieces of 3 dimensional art in the town hall as cricket stumps.

After the very early start from Braywick, the players and a select band of supervisors were sent off to their accommodation whilst the remaining adults (term used loosely) discussed tactics, where else, but in a Mexican bar. Matt Turner was very generous with the tequilas and other special treats, but ultimately got a taste of his own medicine!

In the tournament itself, the Maidenhead squad had a number of challenges to overcome: the first was that the French play a completely different game at this age to the one we are used to in England; the 2^nd was that the tournament was refereed by teenagers, some of whom were more experienced than others; the 3^rd was that the way the French split their age groups meant that the Under 12 side was the youngest and pretty much the smallest in the competition.

It was therefore all the more pleasing and impressive that Maidenhead reached the quarter-final stage of the main tournament, scoring 10 tries and conceding only 1 in the process. Maids faltered at this point as a much bigger and very aggressive squad from Bourgoin (who ultimately were to contest the final) in the end over-powered a very brave and committed Maidenhead defence. The French – who had not played against an English side before – were unanimously complimentary about the level and style of the Maidenhead game. (It is worth noting in passing that Windsor who attended with their Under 13 squad only reached the same stage of the tournament as we did.)

Maidenhead played against Rodez, Espalion, Carmaux, Bourgoin, Millau, Aurillac and Spanish side Selection Catalan.

Tries came from Edward Kaye, William Thompson, Chris Dow (2), Leo Smith (5 – including a hat-trick against Carmaux), and Thomas Eckles (2) whose scintillating run from inside his own half against Aurillac was perhaps the try of the Tournament.

After matches had concluded, happily just before a torrential downpour, some serious socialising took place. While some went off to shower and change, others were shown the meal for later on slowly roasting on a spit. We learned that veal is the local speciality (along with some very unusual cheesy mashed potato!), and a short time later some ‘mooing’ was heard and word spread that one Peter Bartlett, founder member of the Veal Liberation Front, had allegedly been doing some cattle rustling. Strangely, no trace was found of any live livestock, leading to a healthy debate as to the accuracy of the rumours, and tear-inducing fits of laughter from the age-group manager.

We were most impressed in the evening that the French had obviously learned and practised versions of both Swing Low and God Save the Queen, and a good amount of singing, dancing, speech making ensued, in between the veal, mashed potato and copious quantities of very good Roquefort. I believe there may have been some wine involved too. Undoubtedly the performance of the evening was that of the New Zealand Haka by Alex and Cameron Avery, Sam Scott and Will Thompson, as learned from some Kiwis on a coaching course over the summer.

In summary, the tournament was superbly organised, the welcome and hospitality were overwhelmingly warm and generous, the spirit of the game was shining brightly, and the squad (and dedicated supporters!) had a truly memorable trip. Rugby friendships were made and it is hoped that both repeat and reciprocal visits will be arranged in the future.

The squad: Alex Avery, Michael Trevena, Josh Edney, Edward Kaye, Daniel Keir, Oliver Bartlett, Dominik Bart, Sam Scott, LD Basson, Luke Thomas, William Thompson, Leo Smith, Daniel Andrews-Jones, Will Turner, Duncan Jones, Max O’Connor, Chris Dow, Thomas Eckles (plus water-boy Cameron Avery)