PENTYRCH at RODEZ OCTOBER 2009
The Squad:
Tomos Angell, Sam Baker, Nick Bowler, Will Cole, Ethan Denty, Sam Fenton, Ben Fry, Tom Hayward, Carwyn Herbert, Nick Hill, Rhodri Davies Hughes, Ben Harrison Jones, Chris Jones, Owen Lewis, Joe Miles, Dafydd Thomas
The Coaches:
Mike Thomas, Dave Hayward, Ian Wynne Hughes, Kelvyn Jones, James ‘Barney’ Miles
For most, if not all of the boys, this was a first taste of rugby on foreign soil [excepting the odd foray into England] and a truly memorable four days, culminating in a series of high quality performances against top class international opposition.
The squad were feted from the moment they arrived for a welcome dinner late on Friday night; a high profile procession through the city on Saturday morning was followed by lunch for 500 players and supporters before the serious business began on Saturday afternoon with high tempo training matches and two resounding victories over Irish and German opposition. A gala dinner on Saturday evening was exceptionally well organised, falling somewhere between the biblical feeding of the five thousand and an old style edition of the Eurovision Song Contest as each competing team was coaxed on stage to sing for their suppers, the Tyrchs delivering a homespun version of Calon Lan/Mange Tout…
The fan club [comprising parents and coaches] whiled away the fallow period between formal events through intensive sightseeing trips: attending local museums, churches and generally admiring the elegant Pyrenean gothic architecture, soaking up the local atmosphere. Well, perhaps….
The tournament proper began early on Sunday morning preceded by the national anthems of all participating countries. It was played in Mediterranean sunshine on the lush turf of the magnificent Rodez Sports Complex, in front of several hundreds of fans, followers, and aficionados. The Welsh contingent took up their positions, with silk flags and [inflatable daffodil] marking out the Celtic territory- let play commence!
Match 1: Pentyrch 1 Stade Rodez Aveyron 0
The boys were out of the blocks quickly and Tom [Tito] Hayward went close to scoring before being edged into touch. Pressure was maintained and the exuberant pack forced their hosts into a series of errors culminating in a scrum 10 metres out. Tomos Angell flicked the ball back to Tito who burst powerfully through the middle to open the score.
From the restart Rodez tore down field but excellent defence kept them at bay, with Sam Baker prominent at the breakdown, ably abetted by Nick Bowler and Ben Harrison Jones. As the clock ticked down Owen Lewis broke out and almost doubled the lead with a swift foray down the right hand flank. No matter- victory was assured.
Match 2: Pentyrch 0 Stade Aurillacois Cantal Auvergne 0
A tough encounter with both sides displaying tactical maturity. Under early pressure the Tyrchs showed great resilience, Nick Hill easing the burden with an excellent clearance kick. Tito, again prominent, led the line with aplomb.
A charged down kick, and Dafydd Thomas was away, the Tyrchs only denied a try through a fingertip interception at the line.
Back came the French, looking for gaps in the defensive line, but strong tackles from Ben Fry and Ethan Denty kept them at bay. A tense final minute, but honours even, and a creditable draw for our boys.
Match 3: Aviron Bayonnaise 4 Pentyrch 0
The biggest challenge yet: premiership Top 12 opponents and the current holders of this acclaimed international tournament!
The champions served early notice of their pedigree with swift hands creating an overlap: one nil with just one minute on the clock. From the restart the ball was poached and worked deep into Welsh territory, but the holders floundered as the gallant Tomos Angell seized the ball, kicking intelligently downfield. No matter, Bayonne regrouped using pace and guile to fashion a second try down the right hand touchline.
The boys responded well: Joe Miles led the charge and Will Cole drove on to within 5 metres. After a titanic forward battle the champions emerged with the ball- same route, same outcome – 3 nil! Spirited resistance from Ben Harrison Jones could not stem the tide and after securing the ball from a dubious high tackle Bayonne confirmed their status with a fourth try.
Match 4: Pentyrch 1 Areisul Cluj, Romania 2
A ‘must win’ match for both teams: the prize a place in the last 16.
The early pressure came from the Eastern Europeans, two of whom sported moustaches of which Graham Hill or Terry Thomas would have been proud [ask your dads, boys]! Tito and Sam Baker put in a prodigious shift in the front line but stretched, the Tyrchs eventually conceded a try as a long line out throw created a gap which Cluj exploited.
The response was emphatic- Rhodri Davies Hughes leading the charge, with Carwyn Herbert and Ben Fry prominent in attack. Effort was rewarded when a tap penalty enabled Dafydd Thomas to edge forward, forcing their opponents into further infringement. Another penalty, and from 10 metres out Ben Harrison Jones drove his way through two tackles to breach the iron curtain- one try each!
The match was evenly balanced but a momentary lapse in concentration resulted in a knock on, ruthlessly exploited as Cluj regained the lead with a razor sharp blindside move.
The boys fought back and should have levelled when the ball was spun out to Nick Bowler in space on the right wing, only to be denied as the referee called play back after failing to recognise the advantage law. From the ensuing scrum the pack drove on but Tito was held up on the line in a desperate rearguard action.
The Tyrchs finished the morning session in third place in their Group of 5 – so close to making the final 16, but an excellent effort, and three more games to come.
AFTERNOON GAMES:
Match 5: Pentyrch 0 Montpellier 5
Lunch had barely settled before the boys faced an onslaught from another top class French premiership side. Missed tackles created space for the Gallic fliers to run in two early tries, before Sam Fenton and Nick Hill rallied the troops for a brief period. A counter attack broke the resistance and two more quick tries followed from splendid back play as Montpellier swept the ball out to the wing at high tempo. An illegal handoff lent a sense of injustice to the final try, but in truth this was a spellbinding display of fluent rugby.
Match 6: Pentyrch 4 Racing Club Billere ASPTT Lescar 0
Undaunted the Tyrchs regrouped and came out stronger. Ethan Denty was outstanding in the loose, combining superbly with Dafydd Thomas and Owen Lewis. Sam Fenton led a kick and chase with an astute chip, and following a lineout infringement, the set scrum created momentum for a forward drive, with Sam Baker surging over for a richly deserved try.
Minutes later Chris Jones chased down a loose ball, the French backs fumbled, and from the ensuing break Nick Bowler weaved his way down the right hand touchline to double the lead.
The bit now firmly between their teeth, the Tyrchs piled on the pressure and uninhibited back play saw the ball spun out from Tom Angell to Owen Lewis, and finally flicked on by Nick Hill for Chris Jones to dive over in the left hand corner- 3-0.
The final play of the match saw Rhodri Davies Hughes and Carwyn Herbert set the ball up for Joe Miles - the drive was picked up by Tito who edged through a gap in the centre to plant the ball down over the gain line- 4-0!
Match 7: Pentyrch 0 U.S. Carmaux 1
A tense and finely balanced encounter with both sides intent on playing a tight game. Nick Hill and Dafydd Thomas were both prominent, using their experience and concentration to close down the opposition.
Eventually the dam broke and a scrappy try was conceded largely a result of tiredness. Nevertheless, the Tyrchs rallied strongly: the two Sams leading the assault, with Nick Bowler, Ben Fry and Will Cole giving their all. Territorial advantage could not yield a try however, and a narrow defeat seemed a poor return for a splendid final effort.
So, in conclusion, the Tyrchs achieved a highly respectable 22nd place out of 40 teams. The only British side to finish above them were the Belfast Academy, whom they had dispatched with relative ease the preceding day.
No matter- a fantastic achievement and a truly magnificent experience for all of those lucky enough to have made the trip.
All of this would not have been possible without the sterling organisational efforts of Ian & Katie Bowler and Jane Davies, before, during and after the main event. Great tribute is also due to the terrific effort of the coaching team who gave up their time selflessly during August & September, galvanising the squad ahead of the tournament, and providing motivation, encouragement and inspiration for the boys during an adventure they are unlikely to ever forget- so thank you Ian, Katie, Jane, Mike, Dave, Ian, Kelvyn and Barney… and of course the 16 heroes who played out of their skins for the Pentyrch shirt and for our entertainment- well done!
And in case you were wondering, we did enjoy the odd glass or two ….
Pentyrch Try Scorers
Tom Hayward [2]
Ben Harrison Jones
Sam Baker
Nick Bowler
Chris Jones
Rodez Tour Sponsors 2009
Sincere thanks to all of our sponsors. Without their support and generosity, the 2009 tour would not have left Pentyrch! The roll of honour:
Mr. Stephen Bowler - New Forest Construction Ltd: Squad Tour Jerseys
Mandy Fenton – HSBC: Tour Tracksuits
Bryan Moses TV & Film Production: Flight bags
Mr. Adrian Burns & Creigiau 23 Club: Fleece Tops
Vice Presidents of Pentyrch RFC: Kit & Tour Shirts