Kingsbridge U11 Tour to Brittany
Kings U11s riding on the crest of a wave
On Thursday 26th April, a Kingsbridge U11s touring squad of 16 excited players and accompanying coaches and parents boarded Brittany Ferries luxury flagship, Pont-Aven, for their end of season tour to Quimper. Despite the lumpy sea, the crossing was comfortable and the boys woke to a sunny Friday morning in France. After a short stop at the beautiful medieval town of Locronan, the party arrived in Quimper in time for lunch and a warm-up game of touch rugby in the cathedral square.
Saturday morning saw a change in the weather as the squad headed off to Quimper Rugby Club for their afternoon kick-off. Following lunch in the clubhouse, the boys took to the soggy pitch in their sponsored tour shirts. Playing slightly different French rules, with only nine-a-side, uncontested scrums and hand-offs allowed, the game took a few minutes to settle down as the teams got the measure of each other. As the rain lifted, however, it became clear that Kings were the stronger side, showing the team form that had made them Devon Champions two weeks earlier. With rolling substitutions throughout the game, great work in heavy conditions from Josh, Bryn, Alex, Oli and Sam Dod provided an excellent platform for Sam Rhymes and Max to run the ball at the hosts and before long the scoreboard was ticking over for Kings. By halftime the visitors were 25 points ahead, and their superior fitness and skills took them through the second period in style to win the game 10-60. Try scorers were: Luke x3, Marcus x2, Ryan, Ed, Henry, Jimmy, Will, Ben and Toby.
After enjoying the Quimper club’s fine hospitality after the game, the party enjoyed celebratory post-match crepes at the world-famous Creperie du Frugy and a quiet night in the hotel before heading home on Sunday morning.
The boys did really well to raise a considerable contribution to their own tour costs, and in addition, the squad, coaches and parents would like to say a big ‘thank you’ to corporate sponsors Brittany Ferries (www.brittany-ferries.co.uk), DSA Taxation (www.dsataxation.com), Harris Cartier Solicitors (www.hclaw.co.uk) and the South Sands Hotel (www.southsands.com). Big thanks also go to all the coaches for their hard work throughout the season, and especially to Gareth for organizing the tour.
Squad: Max Bewley, Marcus Rayworth, Sam Rhymes, Ryan Gotch, Alex Moysey, Oli Tucker, Luke Simpson, Ben Wotton, Ed Carson, Will Hitchen, Toby Churcher, Josh Ball, Sam Dod, Henry Philips, Jimmy Banfield, Bryn Pratt.
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