50th Anniversary French Tour
3rd May 2008 - Fleurance XV 0 HHRFC 3
4th May 2008 – Sporting Club St Clarais XV 22 HHRFC
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Heath got their 50th anniversary off to a flying start over the recent bank holiday weekend. With a successful home season under their belts, a touring side and supporters travelled to south west France for a short but enjoyable tour. Following an early start on Saturday morning, a flight to Toulouse and then a drive north-west to Fleurance, the playing squad barely had time to catch their breath and acclimatise to temperatures in the high 20s before the opening game.
If
the hosts were not taken aback by the verve and commitment of a Heath side
bristling with youth and experience they were certainly rocked by Dan Vander’s
early decision to take 3 points rather than run the ball. The remainder of this
game saw some robust play but Heath hung on for a deserved win.
Post game celebrations over the party, 50 strong including
supporters, settled for the night for a long day lay ahead. The first round of
the day was a reception hosted by the mayor of St. Clar, a pleasant town now
home to former Heath captain Dave Funnell. Resisting the temptation of the
strong sweet wine and pastis that was on offer they moved on to lunch, a game of
petanque, and then preparation for the game scheduled for a 16.00 kick off.
This was a cracking game as Heath rolled back the years and put on a display of the running rugby that has long been a hallmark of the club. Having gone 0-5 behind early on, 2 tries by Dan Vander converted by Owen Ashton soon put Heath in command. Ashton scored a third try himself before St. Clar reduced the arrears to 19-12 at half time. Heath increased their lead to 33-12 with tries by Nick Killick and Dave Wattam both converted by Ashton and looked to be in complete control. However on a warm afternoon tiredness began to take its toll and although Heath conceded two late tries they held on to win 33-22.
Both sides were warmly applauded by a crowd of around 200 the majority of whom stayed on for the formal post match dinner hosted by the mayor a former St. Clar player. This was another enjoyable evening that went into the night with both sides exchanging songs and various other challenges. Monday provided time for a welcome visit to the spa baths in Lectoure before lunch and the general consensus that end of season tours will once again become a regular fixture in the Heath calendar.