Bolingey Barbarians v Le Havre RFC
Saturday 29th March 2025
Bienvenue au Le Havre Rugby Club,
Bolingey Barbarians were delighted to welcome Le Havre Rugby. This was a unique occasion, Le Havre making history as the first team from France to accept our invitation to play in our home County of Cornwall.
A big thank you to Camborne RFC for the use of their club and facilities. Camborne RFC are great supporters of the Barbarians.
The Barbarians have always received great hospitality on tours to France and ‘away day’ celebrations at home. The last tour to Le Havre in May 2023 was no exception and we enjoyed a superb meal at their clubhouse.
Situated at the mouth of the River Seine, the port city of Le Havre was almost completely rebuilt after World War II. The unusual concrete architecture of Le Havre, designed by Auguste Perret, has resulted in the city centre becoming a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005. Highlights of Le Havre include the Perret show flat, impressive modern art museum and picturesque marina and beach. It is also an important cross-Channel ferry port and the largest container port in France.
Bolingey had the luxury of a large show of players, keen to don the black and gold against the French. The selectors rotated the eager, en masse, bomb squad-esque at the interval. The finishers, shuffling without playing shirts, like king penguins to keep warm against the cold wind.
Thanks to Dave Saunter for refereeing, the CRFU official joining with other fellow representatives to show their support for the Barbarians and extend a warm welcome to our visitors.
Le Havre proved to be a competitive and organised side when we played them two years ago at their home ground. They reinforced these credentials with a tremendous attitude as a touring party.
They defended and attacked with equal gusto and proved to be a real handful for the Cornishmen. The game was played with great sportsmanship, they certainly appreciated the humour displayed at the breakdown, rugby sign language a universal and obviously cross-channel tradition. The result was always going to be incidental on this celebratory occasion. However, there is no such thing as a ‘friendly’ and the final score of three tries a piece was a fitting and hard-fought draw.
The ‘third half’ back inside the clubhouse at Camborne RFC was a wonderful occasion. Le Havre seemed to appreciate the English refreshments on offer, all thanks to the hard-working staff on the wrong side of the bar.
Gifts and ties were exchanged to the Le Havre tour organisers, Chairman and Captain. Alan Milliner presented a Cornwall team rugby shirt on behalf of the CRFU.
A meal was served and catered for one hundred people. A ‘Cornish’ beef bourguignon with all the right accoutrements, followed by cream tea with strawberries, enough to sate the largest appetites.
We wish Le Havre Rugby safe travel on their return to France and look forward to seeing you in the future.
Roger Mead B.E.M. (President, Bolingey Barbarians).
