Barry veterans renew French connection (From Barry And District News)

Barry veterans renew French connection

FORMER rugby players of Barry fashioned themselves into a veterans team and welcomed old friends from Beauvais last weekend.

Beauvais in Northern France had historically played official games with the Barry rugby club for over 25 years. Sadly modern day pressure and league tables led to the demise of this fixture.

Nevertheless, on Saturday the liniment and bandages were brought out for an airing. The Beauvais 'Independents' versus the Bodgers.

The game was played with good spirit in excellent conditions, amid a crowd of spectators the first XV would have been proud of.

First half tries were scored by Stavros and Derek Tuttsell. Playing down the slope after half-time the young legs of Beauvais let rip and put three tries on the Bodgers.

This wake-up call girded the home side into a renewed effort, playing it tight they punished the visitors for poor tackling notching up further tries, allegedly through Doggy Carter, Thickers, T-Bone, and Jimmy Lye, as not one of the capacity crowd thought it necessary to keep a score.

Both teams fielded a rolling substitute system similar to tag wrestling, played five then had a breather. At one time 33 players were counted on the field.

The home side eventually came out winners at somewhere around 35-20 and would like to thank ex-Barry player and compatriot Ritchie Davies for refereeing the match.

Both teams then removed themselves to the Barry clubhouse where they renewed old friendships over a glass or two of lemonade, and to cheer on England and Ireland in their late kick-off.

All players, both Welsh and French have expressed their concern over Hedley Stephenson and would like to wish him a speedy recovery.