A happy troupe attended 'Les Colonnes' in the centre of Biarritz for a drink before dinner; both parents and the boys in relaxed, happy mood.
The result, although not the resounding win all had desired, had sunk in and the enjoyment of being tournament winners had started to settle.
The party was joined by Catherine Pearson (our liaison officer, to whom thanks was given for all her work) and her husband who again assisted ferrying us aboout and visiting the local hospital. We still aspire to a tour where we avoid this option; in fact the one where we score some points in the final instead seems the way forward!
An impromptu Court session and fines for a number of the players amused us all; the lads quickly joined in with the gentle ribbing (of course) and hysterics seemed to be the order of the night thereafter. 'The players' restaurant provided the end of tour dinner and did us really proud. Fines and awards were displayed around the restaurant in equal measure much to the delight of the Biarritz Sunday evening diners. The explanation of our success and the ages of the lads seemed to satisfy all and the local gendarmes were not involved.
We are visiting the beach this morning before returning home and all is well with our world.
Monday, 9 May 2011
Sunday, 8 May 2011
Final
WE WON!!!!!!!!!
Nil - Nil draw but as we scored more tries throughout the tournament we win!!!!
Well done to the boys!
Nil - Nil draw but as we scored more tries throughout the tournament we win!!!!
Well done to the boys!
Semi-final v Agen
Victory 26-0, good win after a poor and nervous looking first half.
Tries:
Darren Atkins x 2
Kieran Kelly
George Hogan
Conversions:
Darren Atkins x 3
Final at 3.30pm UK time!!!!!
Tries:
Darren Atkins x 2
Kieran Kelly
George Hogan
Conversions:
Darren Atkins x 3
Final at 3.30pm UK time!!!!!
Manager - Words from Lunch
Thanks to Biarritz Olympique for lunch for us and our parents: the hospitality has been generous again.
Still confusing for us to be treated to wines and spirits, but not unpleasant!
The team are resting well but now impatient for the next game. 12 mins of play to qualify for the final!
Still confusing for us to be treated to wines and spirits, but not unpleasant!
The team are resting well but now impatient for the next game. 12 mins of play to qualify for the final!
Chairman - First Knock Out Game
Just heard from the Manager we have Agen in the first knock out game!
Chairman - Knock out Stage
The boys are currently having lunch! We have found out we have been seeded one for the knock out stage which is good as it means we play a lower seed in the first knock out round. I am sure that the French will do everything they can to beat us though!!!!
Chairman - Group Stages
The Lambs XV have won their group - we now wait to here where they come in the points rainking which will determine who they play in the afternoon knock out stages.
Lambs XV v Stade Francais
17 - 0 victory!!!!
Tries:
Sam Rees x 2
Jack Maunder
Conversion - Darren Atkins
Tries:
Sam Rees x 2
Jack Maunder
Conversion - Darren Atkins
Scorers v Dax
Tries
Sam Rees
Sam Aspland-Robinson
Darren Atkins
George Hogan x 2
William Wilson
Conversions - Darren Atkins x 5
Sam Rees
Sam Aspland-Robinson
Darren Atkins
George Hogan x 2
William Wilson
Conversions - Darren Atkins x 5
Manager - Sunday Morning
Day breaks here - it looks like a hot one today - delightful for watching, but questionable for playing! Rehydrating is going to be a big factor and we are off to find additional water sources.
Our pool for the early games (it was a draw) is:
Lambs XV
US Dax - 0945
Stade Français - 1045
Stade Toulousain - 1115
Some of the strongest sides last year so a good challenge for our lads. I will post results asap post game. Only 10 mins per game so focus is essential.
Only the winners qualify for the main competition, so we must be on our mettle.
The lads are very well - the team chat and dinner went well lest night near the Casino (most of the management stayed out of it - I can say no more), and they are very focussed on displaying their talents today. Everyone is very excited to be here again, so here's hoping it all goes to plan!!
Regards
Tessy
Our pool for the early games (it was a draw) is:
Lambs XV
US Dax - 0945
Stade Français - 1045
Stade Toulousain - 1115
Some of the strongest sides last year so a good challenge for our lads. I will post results asap post game. Only 10 mins per game so focus is essential.
Only the winners qualify for the main competition, so we must be on our mettle.
The lads are very well - the team chat and dinner went well lest night near the Casino (most of the management stayed out of it - I can say no more), and they are very focussed on displaying their talents today. Everyone is very excited to be here again, so here's hoping it all goes to plan!!
Regards
Tessy
Saturday, 7 May 2011
The Manager - Friday/Saturday Update
Saturday arrived and a good trip to Bidart on the bus! It was a lovely and very friendly welcome.
We had a practice session followed by a 3 x 15 minute practice game. We were however a little too good for them and demonstrated good all round skills running in 14 tries under FFR rules; 12 a side no pushing in scrums no lifting in line out……..
There was a nice reception afterwards with food and drink and welcome speeches swapped. All in all a very pleasant run out but we must be aware of bigger challenges tomorrow. Bidart have stepped in tomorrow as one team has withdrawn, we of course wish them well but not that well!!!
Everything seems to be coming together but we have not faced too threatening opposition as yet, more strength to come tomorrow so thoughts of defence and strategy in hand to be discussed at the team meeting.
Tessy (Manager) Paul (Grand Coach) and Chevs (Petit Coach) will be fined heavily for ‘Miss France’ contraventions. What goes on tour stays on tour!!!
Last night the players and parents drank in the scenery overlooking the beach, chilling with all and very happy about progress thus far!
There is a team dinner later tonight to bond (probably more bonding to be done by the Dads in the bar) and prepare for tomorrow.
We have a tough group but we have to beat them all sometime so why not!
The challenge begins!!!
Yours in Rugby,
Tessy
Manager - Saturday Morning
Not the best of starts to this tour - Charlie Moorby is out - nightmare!!! Nothing broken but a strain is bad enough.
Having arrived at the Biarritz Olympique training ground the boys were put through their paces. Unfortunately within 10 mins we sufferred our first injury: Charlie Moorby turned his ankle and will likely be out for the duration.
Training went well and the lads enjoyed the session in the humid evening. Retiring to Biarritz the team met overlooking the sea to relax for the evening. All in all a good arrival, but somewhat daunting to look at the tournament with reduced numbers.
Tessy
Having arrived at the Biarritz Olympique training ground the boys were put through their paces. Unfortunately within 10 mins we sufferred our first injury: Charlie Moorby turned his ankle and will likely be out for the duration.
Training went well and the lads enjoyed the session in the humid evening. Retiring to Biarritz the team met overlooking the sea to relax for the evening. All in all a good arrival, but somewhat daunting to look at the tournament with reduced numbers.
Tessy
Friday, 6 May 2011
The Manager - Airport
So after some wait at the airport we are ready to go. All accounted for and prepared for the challenge! The management not too harrassed at this stage but it is only early! The players look very relaxed but then at their age who wouldn't! We are looking forward to arriving and blowing away the cobwebs. More later......
Yours in rugby!
Tessy
Yours in rugby!
Tessy
Thursday, 5 May 2011
The Chairman - Departure Day
Today the boys set off to defend their title! Unfortunately I cannot be in attendance but I wish them all the best of luck! I will update the blog as and when I receive info from France!
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