Rugby Union

Day 7

Both teams were back at the main hall for breakfast followed by a good warm up ready for the start of today’s matches. The U17’s started the day with a marginal loss to Huddersfield as did the U15’s to their age groups favourites Chinnor RFC. After the pool stages the final matches were worked out depending on previous performances.Both teams played well and worked had to achieve the best result possible.

After all the matches had been played each team was awarded a trophy for taking part. A big round of applause must go to the U15’s who could have won the tournament but lost to the eventual winners, and worthy winner Livorno were winning all the games with impressive displays of good open running rugby.

It has to be said that Navsfed’s strengths are in the long game and the tournament’s 5 minutes per half was always going to favour the teams that are used to playing this way. Both teams enjoyed the weekend and the tour as a whole and hopefully every tourist will have fantastic memories of France 2010.

Day 6

With any tour there seems to be a theme and Navsfed’s tour is no different and the theme is early starts and long walks and today was no different. The walk through Provins was a beautiful one through the old winding streets. Twenty minutes later the team immerged at the sports hall where breakfast for all the team was being provided.

As the teams started to arrive each team took up its own small space and either played ball or just relaxed waiting for the morning eagerly awaited Parade. Soon the noise outside became a disturbance which needed investigating. The teams headed back to the front of the building where the French, Italian, Swiss, Rumanian and English teams where in the middle of a singing contest with no apparent winner but a lot of noise all the same.

This set the tone for the parade and as soon as the lead vehicle complete with band started its slow journey through the streets of Provins the team chants and songs began. Navsfed seemed a little taken back by the sudden surge of sound but after a little encouragement soon found their voices and joined in. Both sides of the streets were lined with supporters and locals alike all wanting to take part and enjoy this annual event. As the procession was coming to an end the first team parted and made a tunnel and clapped the following team through and the next and the next. As each passed through they joined the tunnel and by the end this stretched well over a mile as each team experienced the long and enjoyable walk whilst being slapped on the back or high fived and being clapped all at the same time.

When the procession arrived back at the tournament venue lunch was waiting as was the band getting ready to entertain during the course of the day. Each team made a small part of the ground their own and in our case a marquee directly opposite the food stall, there’s a surprise.

After lunch the tournament finally got underway on two different playing fields which separated the age groups and meant that each match had its own commentator booming out action updates through their loud speaker systems. Navsfed’s U17’s were up first and narrowly lost to Paris. The U15’s on the other hand got off to a flyer and quickly set the tone for the rest of there day by winnings all their matches playing good running rugby and scoring many tries. Unfortunately the U17’s just couldn’t get the ball to work for them and finished the day less successfully.

After the final whistle of the day all participants and spectators alike congregated around the food and dink stall where the singing and laughter started and did not stop until dinner was served in the main hall. No sooner had dinner finished before the band started to play and the party started all over again. The atmosphere was fantastic with a truly world wide melting pot of nations from Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, Russia, Rumania, England and of course not forgetting South Africa. The night wore on and soon it was time to get the boys back to the hotel to get a good nights rest ready for the final day of the tournament.

Day 5

Today was the group’s last morning in Paris and fittingly it was another early start. The boys were up, dressed, packed and fed by 08.45 ready to board the coach by 9.15. As the coach left Paris every body settled down to some quite reflective time before the hectic onslaught that is Parc Disneyland.

On arrival the boys dispersed at speed to satisfy their needs with all that was on offer at Euro Disney. From Cream Sodas to Toffee Apples, Hot Dogs to Pizza; Disney has it all. But before anybody even considered food there was a small but quite frightening ride that needed conquering, “Space Mountain”. On joining the queue it was obvious that it was going to be fast and interesting as it was all inside. As the ride got underway you were immediately plunged into darkness before starting to climb. There was a slight pause before you were rocketed upwards and back into the darkness where you remained until the end. What happened in between the two no one knows as is was completely black, all that can be said is that it’s a must if you are in Paris.

The day flew by at a similar pace to the roller coaster rides and before you knew it, it was time to leave. As everybody regrouped at the coach it was obvious that a good time was had by all. The coach departed for Provins almost on time but no one seemed to mind and the journey was a relatively quite one.

On arrival the group collected their bags from the coach and headed for the hotel’s car park for an impromptu throw about. The tournament organiser soon arrived to help with the check in and to hand over the tournament schedule for the following day.

Once everybody had dropped their bags off it was time to find somewhere to eat. After walking the streets of Provins with no luck a collective decision to head for MacDonald’s was made. This involved an about turn and a further walk but very soon the Golden Arches appeared and hunger was soon extinguished at least for a short time anyway.

Once back at the hotel the boys where given a quick pep talk before going to bed. The remaining members of the touring party where invited to join Italians, Rumania’s and English rugby fans also staying in the Hotel for the weekend’s tournament to enjoy some traditional hospitality before heading up to bed.