| With an injury and absentee list that wouldn�t look out of place for a light infantry division shortly after the Battle of the Somme, much credit goes to the British�s squad of people who turn up and run out to battle upon hearing the clarion call. Pete etc, your help was very much appreciated.
Derek (a keen horsemen in his younger days � he said he would ride anything), our invaluable President was their and was heard discussing that one of his friends had bought a new horse and coincidentally that several years before, he had ridden her mother.
Eudes was telling Ned that apparently Bez�s sister is a weightlifter, to which ned replied �yeh I know�I saw her snatch last week�.
The tactic of keeping the pack closer together was made easier by some old heads playing (not least as running far is not their forte) with the pack controlling the ball for most of the game (save for the second 20 minute period in the first half) enabling us to control the game as we had aspired.
This resulted in a relatively quick score for the Brits (Rick somehow contrived to leap over the ball instead of score) leaving a somewhat surprised, but eager to accept Mark to pounce and score in the corner. This resulted in one of several missed attempts at goal. 5-0 and going well.
This seemed to wake Orsay up and they began to exercise control of the match and followed up with a push-over try (converted) and a penalty, which the Brits managed to reply to 12-8 half time and again we had lost our lead.
The 2nd half tactic�s change worked well, the forward playing cleverly and controlling the game enabling the backs to keep the opposition in their own 30 meters � and give plenty of scoring opportunities, but a succession of missed kicks gave Orsay hope, and poor reward for the forwards hard work.
Barks had a game to forget, kicking wasn�t his usual excellent standard and just when he was going to score a fantastic try, annoying his hamstring decided to ping like an over stretched piano wire and down he went like a big girl (indeed Bez said he heard Barks cry like a girl). He�ll be back and showing us the quality player he is. This strain maybe have been caused by Barks sprinting like hell last night to escape a French girl who�s arse he slapped and (who, unlike parisien men) stood up for herself and ran after him ! Not how he likes to be chased by the girls it must be said.
The backs especially Justin and Sam played well & intelligently with the scrappy ball they got � superb in defence and cleaning up the scraps. Mark has already booked an appointment at the opticians, as the safest man on the pitch was Eudes most of time, as was the accuracy of passing from our nine � but he battled well, pushed the forwards and had a good game overall.
But the pressure worked and the Brits scored a push over try (still unsure who) and the kicking duties were then on by Neil who duly showed how it should be done (closing his eyes and swinging his boot) and watching it sail over. 15-10 with 15 minutes to go.
The forwards kept in control (Bez, Rick, Ned, Nat, Pete etc all leading by example), the backs kept the Orsay team pinned back breaking out only once but very dangerously and a last man try saving takcle by Neil and Nat (both fittingly and deservedly man of the match, on his last outing for les British) turned over possession and enable the brits to clear the danger and win the match.
Excellent work by the forwards � intelligent and controlled play
Excellent team spirit by the British fighting back after losing the lead.
This now marks the minimum performance level for next week.
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