Barry RFC Veterans have toasted their success after becoming the only club in Europe to win and retain the European Veterans Championship crown.

The second of the back-to-back championship wins came at the annual Jean-Paul Cheron International Veterans Tournament held in Beauvais, France this summer.

The team marked their victory at a special dinner at Barry Rugby Club, last Friday (October 9).

Barry Veterans achieved their amazing double feat after tackling nine tournament matches in which they scored 22 tries and no points scored against them.

The largest ever squad of players, management team, and Scrummies – rugby wives and girlfriends – made the victorious trip.

The strongest-ever contest featured teams from across Europe including Tillycountry (Scotland), Karlstad (Sweden), Charleroi (Belgium), Clermont Auvergne, Stade Francaise, Beauvais, Sallanches, Auterives, Brassac.

Team member, Paul Haley said: "On a very hot, sunny and sultry Saturday morning, Barry Vets discovered that the usual two pool match system had been abandoned in favour of a round robin tournament, which meant nine games that day.

"Teams would play three games of 12 minutes back to back before having an hour break."

He added: "Barry easily found their stride and won their games, whilst building up a momentum and style of play unmatched by any of their rivals.

"The big game of the afternoon was a rematch with last year’s rivals Stade Francais, which had been an unpleasant hard match.

"This year, Barry convincingly took Stade Francais apart to the delight of the travelling Barry contingent, who sportingly clapped off their main opponents, having beaten a formidable first class French premiership side twice in a row.

"Having established a forward ball-carrying game that has now become the Barry Veterans style of play for the championship, backed up by a solid defence, they were able to unleash their backs at the right moment with devastating effect."

Supporters, fans and players celebrated on the final whistle with the trophy accepted by Barry Vets captain Lyndon James who, to the delight of the hundreds of supporters and teams, responded in French and thanked the excellent hosts Les Independants Beauvais.

Norman Pereira presented Lyndon James with a very special surprise award to Lyndon James of his Barry RFC Club colours.

Charlie Chucas, in his dinner speech on Friday, reminded everyone of the special friendships and bonds formed between the Veterans over the years.

He also announced that Barry RFC Veterans would be hosting a Veterans Tournament on Saturday, February 27 with visitors from Les Independants Beauvais, Auterives, Narbonnes, and Arras.

Barry RFC Veterans will take a squad to Beauvais next May to again defend the European Championship and attempt to make it three in a row.

THE TEAM: Darren Gibbon, Steve Webb, Charlie Chucas, Steve Williams, Grahame Matthews, Andrew Prosser, Rhydian Scott, Tommy Tutsell, John Pereira, Joff Williams, Mickey Mepham, Andy Moffat, Chugger, Clive Thomas, Dave Pereira, Grantley Harris, Dave Carter, Lyndon James (captain), Mike Bubbins (tour comedian), Ian Stavros Davies, Kyle Fahiya, Barry Brown, Lee David, Norman Pereira, Paul Haley, Paul Delaney, Steve Griffiths, Gerwyn Pugh.

Former players wishing to join the Barry RFC Veterans are welcome and should contact the Club.

THE RESULTS:

Clermont Auvergne 0 Barry 3

Sallanches 0 Barry 1

Karlstad 0 Barry 5

Auterives 0 Barry 1

Tillycountry 0 Barry 4

Beauvais 0 Barry 1

Stade Francais 0 Barry 2

Charleroi 0 Barry 5