Facing highly competitive teams from the Pyrenean heartland of French rugby, including host club Coarraze-Nay plus Benejacq Olympique and Bagneres, the Bangor squad was divided into two teams, each playing 4 matches, with both teams coming out on top.

      Above: Bangor P7s kick off at the tournament

They were presented with the tournament trophy by Coarraze-Nay President, Robert Heure at the post match reception in a packed clubhouse where over two hundred players, spectators and parents came together to enjoy the special French hospitality.

The weather favoured the Bangor boys, as it rained throughout the Sunday of the tournament. Bangor faced strong and determined French opposition who tackled well, kicked tactically and in true French style, were able to run with the ball. However, the Bangor players had raised their game for this tour and tackled aggressively, taking good running lines against the opposition and displaying exceptional passing out of the tackle. Their rucking and counter rucking was sublime, meaning Bangor came away from contact situation with turnover ball on many occasions.

Above: Bangor P7s v Benejacq

In all Bangor scored 36 tries on the day. The behaviour of the boys both on and off the field was excellent and they were certainly fine ambassadors for their town. Afterwards in the clubhouse, the players sang “Ireland’s Call”, much to the delight of their hosts. Then the young French players responded with a lusty rendition of “La Marseillaise”.

Each one of the 20 players contributed to this successful result and deserve to be mentioned. They were Jack Dornan, Rory Wilson, Andrew Kennedy, Zac Bailie, Christopher McQueenie, Conor Rutledge, Christopher Weir, James Fox, Adam Stephenson, Jonny Bell, Patrick Lyle, Mathew Mulligan, Mathew Nesbitt, Mathew Neill, Ryan Miskelly, Finn Garbutt, Sam Wilson, Harry Wilson, Jordan Brickley  and Conor Mackey.

       Above: Bangor passing from ruck v Bagneres

In all, a tour party of 42 players, siblings and parents travelled to this lovely snow-capped mountain region. In addition to the rugby, the party took time to go on a 15 mile white water rafting trip down the fast and furious Lestelle River and then took on the heightened pleasures of the adventure tree climbing park at Aramitis.

The team would like to thank our tour sponsors Paul Fox, Andy Weir, ServiceHeat, As It Is Consulting, David Wilson Architect, Do 4 You, Mackey Opticians and Peugeot, without whom this trip would not have been possible.

Coaches Craig McQueenie, Craig Napier, Mark Mackey, Ben Stephenson, Stephen Bell and particularly Richard Kennedy are also to be thanked for their continual help and encouragement

            Above: celebrations get underway in the dressing room after the game