Ashton Bears vs Salses Le Chateau - Game 1 of Open Age Tour to France

 

Ashton Bears Line-up

1 Dave Smith

2 Craig Knox

3 Brent Knox

4 Scott Hughes

5 Phil Ashcroft

6 David Picton

7 Andy Bailey

8 Mark Sayer

9 James Hinnigan

10 Steve Pownall

11 Ian Taylor

12 Tony Bligh (Capt.)

13 Peter Shaw

 

SUBS: James Trickett

          Kevin Howells

          Peter Biggar 

Joey Burrows not playing due to injury 

Tries -          Tony Bligh

                    Kevin Howells

                    Peter Shaw (2)

                    Brent Knox 

Goals –           Dave Picton (2) 

 

Salses Le Chateau 42 – 24 Ashton

Ashton came over unaware that they were playing the top two teams in the French Amateur league as the two teams Ashton played were the two sides that competed in the final of the French National League Cup, in which Salses Le Chateau beat Pia 24-8. All in all, Ashton did very well against these two very good sides, considering they hadn’t played for 6 weeks.

 The first game of the tour was played in 30°C of heat, with a very strong sun in Ashton’s face throughout the first half. Ashton scored first through captain Tony Bligh after 15 minutes. But the next 25 minutes belonged to Salses Le Chateau who scored 26 unanswered points. The heat and the sun were beginning to tell. Salses Le Chateau were led by their number 9, whom we didn’t realise at the time was ex-French international and P.S.G hooker, Patrick Torreilles, who is 34 years old. However the most outstanding player from Salses Le Chateau was their number 7. 

          In the second half, with the sun going down and the floodlights on, Ashton got into the pace of the game and won the half 18-16. The try scorers being Peter Shaw with 2, Kevin Howells and Brent Knox. David Picton successfully converted 2 goals. With some of the Ashton lads already playing with injuries, it was a big disappointment when the youngest member of Ashton’s squad suffered a shoulder injury and could not play in the second game against Pia. Although disappointed with the final score, Ashton took great heart from the game knowing that they won the second half 18-16 and felt they had something to take forward into the second game. 

          The hospitality from Salses Le Chateau was absolutely first class. Before the game, the president Gerad Maureta game to the hotel to personally direct us to the ground where Ashton had a guided tour around the 16th century chateau, castle and village. The tour finished with 2 hours of wine tasting (thankfully the players and coach were not present). Salses Le Chateau are hoping to come over to the Wigan area next season to play a couple of games and they also have a ladies team who are hoping to organise a game aswell. All members of the tour very kindly received a bottle of the excellent local wine and a jersey of the local team. Another tour of the local bars took place, which both teams attended. One of these bars is owned by a French international. The mayor’s reception we attended consisted of a buffet of free wine and beer for all concerned.

 

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