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Lancashire 18 Group in Southern France - Day 1

After a gruelling trip which saw road delays on both sides of the Channel, the Lancashire 18 Group tour party finally reached its destination in the lovely little French seaside village of Gruissan on the back of a 12½ hour road trip from Calais. Following a never ending lunch with enough salad and pasta to sink a battleship the squad rested up before Coaches Dave Wilks, Jason Duffy and Dave Peet took a training session on the beach with the Mediterranean Sea as a back drop. It was a “fun” session the squad was split in to three with a Coach assigned to each for the inaugural “Gruissan Beach Rugby” tourney. It was clear that Jason “competitive dad” Duffy would ensure that his charges came out on top on what turned out to an interesting spectacle for many watching locals.

On returning to the hotel the squad was briefed about preparations for the next day’s game.

The following selection was announced:

Lancashire 18 Group v Languedoc at Stade Cassayet, Narbonne, Kick Off 16.00, Saturday 3rd April.

1.Max Ashcroft (Hutton GS)

2.Scott Briggs (Myerscough College & Sale Sharks)

3. Ryan Fish (Myerscough College & Vale of Lune)

4. Austin Halewood (Hutton GS)

5. Matthew Ellis (Kirkham GS)

6. Gareth Harris (Manchester GS)

7. Ally Sutherland (Myerscough College & Sale Sharks)

8. Josh Beaumont (Arnold School & Fylde)

9. Tom Webb (KEQMS & Fylde)

10. Scott Redfern (Myerscough College & Sale Sharks)

11. Sam Whyte (Hutton GS & Preston Grasshoppers)

12. Sam Russell (Fylde)

13. Mike Simmons (Kirkham GS & Fylde)

14. Ben Stelmaszek (Audenshaw School & Aldwinians)

15. Pearse Carson (KEQMS & Fylde)

16. Jonathon Gorst (Cowley College & West Park St.Helens) 17. Jon Evans (Kirkham GS) 18. James Harper (Sacred Heart HS & Waterloo), 19. Rob Taylor (KEQMS), 20. Matt Rogerson (Ripley St. Thomas), 21. Charlie Cook (KEQMS& Fylde), 22. Joe McKillion (Lytham HS & Fylde), 23. Oliver Carter (Ripley St. Thomas & Vale of Lune), 24. Chris Kohler (Kirkham GS), 25. Nathan Folwes(Myerscough College)

Lancashire 18 Group in Southern France - Day 2

Breakfast was quickly dispatched followed by a squad meeting and then pre-match prep prior to another excellent lunch. We then met Jean Pierre Lignon our liaison from the Comite De Languedoc who like our Hotel Manager could not do enough for us. Jean Pierre ensured our Team Coach navigated the streets of what is a very impressive and vibrant city in Narbonne in a swift manner and the squad unloaded into the Stade Cassayet the spiritual home and Academy home of RC Narbonne M. The ground has over the years has seen many big games including French Club Championship wins in 1936 and 1979, latterly RCNM also won the Coupe De France in 1985 and where Runners-up to Harlequins in the 2004 European Challenge Cup. One of Narbonne’s most famous sons is the French Centre of the 1980s Didier Codorniou (Le Petit Prince) who won 31 Caps for France. Interestingly the Mayor of Gruissan is the very same Didier Codorniou and we are hoping to meet “The little Prince” sometime over the weekend.After a solid warm-up the Lancashire squad where looking good and the obligatory Squad picture was taken. The stadium started to fill up and is was good to see many familiar faces including one of our Sponsors, Mark Ashcroft and his wife and Mr. & Mrs. Stuart Kohler who acted as our “translator” with the Referee, who didn’t know any English....or laws, but I digress. The Languedoc A Squad consisted of Academy players from the three Pro Clubs in the area, Beziers, Narbonne and Montpelier who looked big, mean and very keen.

The opening exchanges belonged to the visitors as we took the game to the home side; we dominated the lineout where Austin Halewood stole the first of four throws from the Languedoc Hooker. A concerted drive up the left flank with both Josh Beaumont and Max Ashcroft making good yardage was stopped illegally but unfortunately the penalty kick from Scott Redfern just shaved the left hand upright and Languedoc began to gain a foothold in the game. Their first foray into the Lancashire 22 brought a penalty and the Flyhalf landed this much to the delight of the now large crowd as Languedoc had arranged to bus in the Junior Sections of three of the local Clubs to watch. Lancashire regained their composure and two minutes later another French error saw the Referee award us another penalty from which Redfern made sure of from 22 metres out and after 20 minutes of play the scores were tied at 3-3. Suddenly the French seemed to step up a gear and their game had more urgency and direction, the Referee’s inability to manage the breakdown saw Lancashire turn the ball over on 3 consecutive occasions, something we had done all season and despite Skipper Ally Sutherland asking the Referee on more than one occasion to look at the breakdown all we got was a Gallic shrug of the shoulders. On the couple occasions we did get penalties our quick taps where brutally and illegally stopped as the Referee failed to observe the very basic laws of the game. Apparently my French Teacher at School lied to me because if you shout “dix metres” over and over it means nothing to a French Referee, therefore I put it to you Mr. Griffiths all those years ago when you forced me to count to “Un a Vingt” you lied that Dix was Ten. To be frank the Languedoc side was very good and some of their players had already had game time at their respective Pro Clubs. The opening try came from a strong run by the French outside Centre who angled his run to perfect and touched down to the right of the posts. The successful conversion saw Languedoc into the break 10 points to 3 up.

The second half started in the worst possible fashion as the French moved the ball swiftly to the Right Wing where their 6 foot plus Winger showed power, pace and finishing. Lancashire now had 30 minutes to rescue the game and Languedoc move further ahead 15-3. Lancashire continued to probe the French defences but could not find a way to breach them despite a concentrated 15 minute period in the French half. A twenty five metre break from the base of ruck by Josh Beaumont was stopped less than ten metres from the line and the Languedoc Flyhalf managed to clear their lines. With six minutes left a stray kick into the Languedoc half was returned with interest as the French broke the Lancashire cover and scored in the left corner to take the spoils by 20-3 at no side. The game ended with some typical French “passion” from some of the crowd for which the Languedoc Committee where quick to apologise for after one player from each side exchanged Facebook details and possibly a slap or two. The words ‘over reaction by the home crowd’ does not do the situation justice but the Lancashire players and coaches handled the situation in a calm and effective English manner, 1-0 to Lancashire on the sportsmanship front. As soon as the Referee’s whistle had gone we were all friends once again and the acting President of the Comite De Languedoc Robert Bonniol praised both sides for their performances and hoped that this would be the first of many visits between the two Unions. Following the post match reception the squad then returned to Gruissan where they spent a relaxing evening before starting the preparation process for game two against a Languedoc Clubs Selection.

Lancashire 18 Group in Southern France - Day 3

Sunday morning saw the Squad off once again to the beach following breakfast for another training session. After returning to the Hotel for lunch the team for the following day’s game was announced and the Squad enjoyed some R&R in Narbonne prior to a trip arranged by our hosts to watch a PRO Division 2 game between Narbonne & Lyon. Whilst the squad roamed downtown Narbonne’s McDonald’s district, the Management and Coaches sipped coffee in the old town square with Narbonne’s Hotel De Ville towering over us. After doing our “cultural bit”, it was back to rugby as walked up via the Canal de la Robine to the Stade Des Sports the ground now home to Narbonne or more precisely Racing Club de Narbonne Méditerannée (RCNM). After making sure the squad had all returned we took our seats in the “Prestige Basse” of the main stand.

After looking the liveliest in the opening exchanges the “Narbonniase” began to lose the ball, their cool and more importantly territory as the visitors from Lyon took a grip on the match eventually running out convincing winners 27-3.

The evening meal was once again dispatched quickly and a Squad meeting was conducted by the Coaches after naming the side to face the Languedoc Clubs side. Video of the first match was reviewed again and again and our game plan for the next game was set out.

Lancashire 18 Group Development Squad v Languedoc Clubs Selection at Stade Cassayet, Narbonne, Kick Off 15.30, Monday 5th April.

1. Jonathan Gorst (Cowley College & West Park St. Helens)
2. James Harper (Sacred Heart HS & Waterloo))
3. Jonathan Evans (Kirkham GS))
4. Matthew Rogerson (Ripley St. Thomas & Vale of Lune))
5. Robert Taylor (KEQMS)
6. Joe McKillion (Lytham HS & Fylde)
7. Tom Whitton (St. Monica’s RC HS & Sedgley Park)
8. Charlie Cook (KEQMS & Fylde)
9. Nathan Fowles (Myerscough College)
10. Oliver Carter (Ripley St. Thomas & Vale of Lune) Capt.
11. Jordan Dorrington (Sedbergh & Vale of Lune)
12. Chris Kohler (Kirkham GS)
13. Mike Simmons (Kirkham GS & Fylde)
14. Matty Guest (Fred Longworth HS & Tyldesley)
15. Ben Stelmaszek (Audenshaw School & Aldwinians)

16. Max Ashcroft (Hutton GS), 17. Scott Briggs (Myerscough College & Sale Sharks), 18. Ryan Fish (Myerscough) 19. Austin Halewood (Hutton GS), 20. Gareth Harris (Manchester GS), 21. Ally Sutherland (Myerscough College & Sale Sharks), 22. Matthew Ellis (Kirkham GS), 23. Tom Webb (KEQMS & Fylde), 24. Sam Whyte (Hutton GS & Preston Grasshoppers) 25. Sam Peet (Lowton HS & Preston Grasshoppers)

Lancashire 18 Group in Southern France - Day 4

The Group Chairman and our Kit Manager had the task of securing copious amounts of bottled water for the game as the day time temperature had risen to a warm 68° and there wasn’t a cloud to be found in the crystal clear blue skies. With the local corner shop now raided for 80 litres of bottled water the squad prepared to travel back to the Stade Casseyet for game 2.

The Languedoc Clubs Squad consisted of players not based art the Pro-Clubs but would still be a difficult and strong side to play. This time it was the home side who had more luck in the lineout as the Lancashire boys took some time to settle. Eventually a French indiscretions was penalised by the Referee Monsieur Deguises who it had to be said had an excellent game along with his two TJs. Up stepped skipper Ollie Carter who landed the 3 points after 17 minutes of play. The French side began to play for good field position and from a lineout on the Lancashire 22 they managed to maul the ball over the line with their Loose Head Prop credited with the try which was converted by their fullback. The half ended with Lancashire in the ascendancy, Forwards Jon Evans, Rob Taylor and Tom Whitton all making impressions both in terms of ball carrying and set-piece work. The ever busy Joe McKillion was also a thorn in the side of Langeudoc half-backs all day as was Scrum Half Nathan Fowles who’s display of box kicking was flawless. Half time Langeudoc 7 Lancashire 3.

The second period opened with Lancashire moving the ball swiftly to the right wing where after an initial burst from Right Wing Matty Guest the ball was popped back inside for replacement Centre Scott Redfern to gather and touchdown over the whitewash for a try that went converted but still gave the Tourists an 8-7 lead. That score remained up to the 59th minute when the Referee awarded the French side a very kickable penalty which they duly took to regain the lead 10-7. It was almost one way traffic from that point as Lancashire tried to secure another score.With less than a minute on the clock the French used the ball well and despite what looked like a foot in touch the replacement Languedoc Winger touched down in the corner which brought the full time whistle after the failed conversion.

Another defeat but a vastly improved performance and mainly from the 18 Group Development squad who continue their “international fixtures” when they take on North Wales on Sunday 18th April at Tyldesley RUFC. The usual pleasantries where swapped after the game and once again the Langeudoc Acting President Robert Bonniol was glowing in his praise of both sides, he also made special mention to the English delegation (The Coaching / Management team) who where guests of the Comite De Languedoc at a meal in Gruissan Old Town on Saturday night. Robert who does not speak any English stated that it was one of the best nights of post match conversation he had in all of his 79 years! Monsieur Le President was especially pleased with the banter he had with Backs Coach Jason Duffy who decided that as Robert borne a striking resemblance to the Lancashire Senior County Chairman of Selectors Dave Hodgson he would call him “Dave” all night.

From the Coaching and Management team this was an excellent opportunity to thank those players who have served the County well this season and develop those boys going forward to next year’s 18 Group. In that sense it was mission accomplished despite not getting a win from which on balance we probably deserved. The squad spent their final night out in Gruissan for a meal and presentations for the Senior Player of the Tour which went to Scott Briggs who was christened by the Langeudoc Committee “Jean Pierre Rives” and the Junior
Player of the Tour was awarded to Nathan Fowles. The Tourist of the Tour went to our erstwhile translator Gareth Harris not Hayes as published in the first tour report, sorry Gareth for his play and his all round support to the rest of the squad. There are many people to thank, first to the County for giving us the opportunity to visit Languedoc, Robert and Jean Pierre and the rest of the Comite De Languedoc Rugby. Our tour sponsors Mark Ashcroft of Amscan International, Mike Prendergast of MJP Environmental and Matthew McGuire of Laserplane Limited.

Our Coaching Staff of Dave Wilks, Jason Duffy and Dave Peet, thanks guys your professionalism and experience is greatly appreciated our Physio Matt Shea and our Kit Manager Steve Simpson who when not pumping up balls, filling water bottles, collecting dirty kit and drinking vast amounts of tea can be seen having a laugh between the rest of the staff and the squad. Finally the boys who were a credit to their Club/School the County and our Country, so much so that Languedoc would like to visit us next Easter in the hope that this would become an annual event between the two governing bodies.

A long 22-hour return journey ended on Wednesday morning with a tired but happy squad returning to Lancashire.