Bordeaux Bordello (and match report)

The second report from Sarries pre-season tour to the south of France is being typed in salubrious surroundings of ‘Tunnel sous La Manche’ (Eurotunnel Calais!). Our journey is almost complete and it’s been a fantastic 10 days.

First of all, the match report from Sunday’s game. In contrast to the games on Wednesday, this match was played in glorious sunshine at the little Capbreton Stadium. The use of the word ‘Stadium’ could not be more inappropriate! It was the French equivalent to Bramley Road – a fact which delighted Waldo who found the whole experience highly amusing. It was so refreshing to see spectators sitting on rocks in the park watching the game, with a few walking their dogs round the pitch. The game was advertised as London Saracens, which may please some on this board! It was very warm, about 28-30 deg C, and the players looked exhausted after the warm up!

Sarries kicked off and immediately earned a lineout when the ‘catcher’ was bundled into touch 15m from the Bordeaux line. A clean catch, drive, two rucks and Reynecke was over for the opening score inside the first minute. Derick missed the kick (about 10m from the touchline), but we were able to sit back in the sunshine and await the avalanche of Sarries tries; 0 - 5. However, they didn’t emerge as Bordeaux responded strongly and dominated possession through a series of surging runs and quickly recycled ball at the breakdown. Sarries defence was strong and well organised, but when they did get possession it was generally given straight back through poor handling or mis-directed kicking.

When Sarries did threaten, the Bordeaux defence was strong in the tackle, a fact supported by young Tangy, I suspect, who felt the full force of one particularly ‘Burgeresque’ hit. Twice Sarries came close to extending their lead when Derick put pin-point kicks into the left corner from penalties – but on each occasion the lineout failed to function properly and Bordeaux were able to clear.

The ‘hosts’ had their first opportunity to score after 24 mins with a penalty after Sarries went off their feet at the ruck. I’d like to tell you who kicked it, but as there were no team sheets I have no idea other than to say it was their outside half! However, Bordeaux were gaining in confidence and Sarries continued to look like a team that had enjoyed their week away! Some slick handling and change of angles opened Sarries midfield and only a dropped pass 10 metres from the line and under no pressure prevented a Bordeaux try. Sarries were unable to relieve the immediate danger as they conceded yet another penalty at the scrum. Bordeaux kicked for the corner and although Sarries managed to repel the initial threat, they conceded another penalty in midfield near halfway. This time the kick went over making 3 – 5. As halftime approached, Sarries continued to make the ball appear as a bar of soap – the expressions ‘training run’ and ‘error strewn’ would sum up the first half.

Halftime, in true Old School style, was spent in a huddle on the touchline. This allowed us a glimpse of the good Doctor ‘rallying’ the troops – he clearly was not happy! There was also a raft of chances which I think were;
Noah for Rodd; Rugby Player for Reynecke; Jackson for Joubert; Botha for Tom Ryder; the Coach’s son for Adam Powell; Skuse for Gill and Matt Parr for Petrus. There had been concerns of total confusion at one stage with the possibility that the front row would consist of a trio of peroxide blondes, the introduction of Brits resolved that problem.

The second half continued where the first had finished and it was no surprise when Bordeaux worked an opening through the centre, with the aid of several missed tackles, to score under the posts. The successful kick made it 10 – 5 just two minutes into the half. Bordeaux came straight back from the restart and only a last ditch tackle from Derick prevented another Bordeaux try. However, the reprieve was short lived as their openside drove over from 5 metres out to score near the posts. Another successful kick and it was 17 – 5. This led to even more Sarries changes (Hayden Smith for Hugh was one of them), but by now it was hard to work out who was where as several players were wearing the same number!

This time, the re-enforcements brought a positive response. Brits made a Brits like break, stepping through and round would-be tacklers before setting up the position that led to Melck (57 mins) scoring under the posts.. This was probably the best passage of play by Sarries and involved some good ball retention; 17 – 12.

Sarries eventually regained the lead on 66 mins following good work from Master Farrell and Mauritz Botha before Noah sent Burger in to score at the corner. Derick’s last act before being replaced by Jake Sharp was to miss the conversion; 17 – 19.

Further changes contributed to the disruptive feel to the game but Sarries gained the upper hand and were controlling the ball comfortably with three minutes to go when Jake Sharp knocked over a drop goal from 15m out. A bit of a surprise this given their domination of possession and territory and the fact that they were now winning penalties at almost every scrum. They had just had two efforts thwarted on the Bordeaux line and this now gave the hosts chance to gain possession and territory. As the game entered the final minute, Bordeaux broke clear down the right wing and it took a last ditch tackle to force the ball into touch, although it was still a Bordeaux throw. They over-threw it, Jackson Wray won it and the ball was cleared to touch to confirm the Sarries win 17 – 22.

Overall, not a great spectacle in front of about 500 supporters. Highlight of the game was undoubtedly Waldo winning first prize in the club raffle – a 15lb Jambon Bayonne!! Hard enough to carry at the best of times, but when you only have carry-on luggage, a real problem!

As for the trip – a fantastic experience. It was great to meet Waldo and his good lady – I think there were two other travelling Sarries fans present, but we only met them a couple of times. This was our first trip to both Bayonne and Biarritz, discovering such delights as ‘Bob’s Beer’; The Raminda Bar serving the most disgusting looking cocktail I’ve ever seen but also now has a Sarries flag on the bar to go with the plaque that was already there. A shop selling solely tinned fish; added to which it was Bayonne festival which included four days of bull fighting and flamenco dancing. We also visited the Red Bar in Biarritz and can confirm that both Sarries flag and shirt are in residence there. The beach and surfing were fantastic – not a donkey or chav in sight. Add to this a couple of trips into the mountains doing some walking and bird watching (not that I did any on the beach!) it was a perfect break.

Latest injury update – I’ve got a bad back after some muppet ran into the back of us on the auto-route on the way back. No damage to the car, but very sore back this morning. However, I’m not going to let it effect pre-season preparation and will be working on some ‘vin rouge de Bordeaux’ tonight.

Recommendation – if Sarries get to play Bayonne or Biarritz, get yourselves there! 

[Methinks the vin rouge may have an impact on the totting up of some of these scores, Ed]