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2008 Easter Tour to Bourg de Peage
Photographs and Story
Once more the band of tourists found themselves on a coach
& train to distant shores, well Bourg de Peage at
least. The Friday as always was an adventure not to be
missed! An early start with a coach or alternative
transport and the meet at a Eurostar station, with everyone
wondering why tours have to start so early... then the usual
pause at a Guinness pub in France at the change over
between Eurostar and TGV. At least this time we were in
Lisle with both trains using the same station and so there
was chance we could lose Matt Ravenscroft! We finally
arrived at the Romans club, a little worse for wear but
still with loads of energy, which was soon to be dissipated
by our hosts in their usual attempt to get us as
intoxicated as possible. Eventually, in the early hours of
Saturday, the tourists started to fade and head back to
their dwellings, if they could find them!
When first proposed there was a possibility of that a
strong team of EGRFC players would be going down to replay
England's victory over France in six nations, but alas the
final squad for the Saturday game fell a bit short of
this. The team consisted of some EGRFC players rather a lot
of ex-EGRFC players and a couple of worthy, but tired old
crocs (Snapper and Father Ted) who should have been keeping
the steps on the stands warm with an accompanying beer... not
walking around the field!
Even with a weakened team the G's put up a valiant fight
against our hosts who had been resting most of the previous
day and night, unlike the G's team. The final result of
42-22 to the hosts did not really reflect the game. The
second half ended being a free for all with a stream of
guests from the hosts side helping out the fast fading G's.
A post game party was followed by presentations at the
Hotel de Ville annex with the Madame Mayor presenting the
trophy to the winners with lots of accompanying speeches
and complements and slightly too many photographs. Thank
goodness for digital photography and the DEL key. Then off
to another party at the Hotel Descours... this one went on
until the very early hours with a never ending supply of
food, drink with musical accompaniment provided by a
flamenco band.
On Sunday there were options of a wine tasting or a mini's
tournament, some players were tricked into going for a
quick aperitif that lasted for more than two hours, then on
to the club for another party once again going on into the
early hours...
The fun game that was scheduled to be played on the Monday
morning ended up being cancelled due to snow... This must be
a first! So we hung around and ate and drank more beer,
wine and pastice depending on preference. Then began the
long trip home with many of the regular tourists saying
"Why do I do this?" But of course they will be there 5am at
the club next time because they are true Rugby Club members
and players.
Our special thanks go to Snapper (aka Tony Scott)
for organizing this years tour.
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