A Welcome in the Hillside

A happy band of of 72 tourist set off from OBR for the long Bank Holiday Friday drive to Wales.

Ye of little faith.

I won the Coaches sweep-stack with my time of 2h35 closest to the actual time of 2h17. And yes the rules were time stopped at service stations when the wheels on the bus stopped moving.

We checked into the Premier Inn Abergavenny, all sparkly and new, and then made our way for light refreshment next door. all good intentions gone i found myself and others not getting to bed until after 1am

A cracking Breakfast, eat as much as you like and then a shuttle to Abergavenny RFC just the other side of town.

The 2 mixed teams were duly selected ready for a full session of games across the day. Result across the day were not in a favor. The Welsh teams were very heavy on the forwards and the narrow pitches did not suit our style of game. No white washes but the Welsh lads seemed to play as well structured teams. Speaking to them later in the day, none had big squads 24 max on a good day so were use to playing as a team. They play a game every Sunday weather permitting.

By Lunch time the heat was becoming a bit unbearable and that was just watching from the touch line. During each 20 minute game we would near empty 16 water bottles which had to be filled again each time ready for the next game.

We thought the entertainment had arrived by mid afternoon as a large noisy crowd appeared on the U14s pitch adjacent to ours. It turned out that a couple of Welsh teams were having a slight disagreement. The Ref came spinning out of the middle like a cork out of a bottle. Not quite sure what happened but was not to surprised when one of them was asked to leave.

The best game of the day was our Reds V Blues. You wouldn't think mates would go at each other with such determination. Very close until the second half when the Blues Backs found their legs and ran in a couple of tries.

The last game of the day was Rams Blue V Welsh Team in Green?. By this time the Welsh down to 14 so we matched them. They quickly lost another so it was 13 aside, then i think 12 aside. One minute players were on and then off again. I think the game finally finished back up to 14 aside with Tomas playing for the opposition. Our backs did what we know they can do and took control of this game very early on. With less players on the field it gave them the space they needed on the narrow pitches to use their pace. The best try of the day came from this game with a number of phases, some great hands, a little out the back pass from Mr Lampkin, caught ? not sure how, almost behind his back, by Mr Ede who managed to cling on to the ball with one hand and accelerate away at a rate of knots.

Blues came third overall and come back with a bit of silverware for the cabinet. Josh Ede won U15s player of the tournament.

Now it was time for the coaches to join our parents who had been hogging the bar all day. Doug blow up the Zorb Balls he had brought with him. Many of the boys then set about smashing into each other in these as they were not completely shattered yet. Doug must have thought he was back at work as the Olney U13s came over to have a ago as well.

I duly went around and collected my winnings from the Coaches sweep stack from the night before, as is normally the case bought a round and found myself about £20 down on the deal.

The boys spent part of the early evening chatting up the local lassies and sorting out a later meeting at the 24 hour McDonald's next to our hotel.

Two shuttle runs got us back to the hotel. A quick wash and brush up and then time to eat and wind down. A few ate in the Hotel, others ventured into town to find an Indian Restaurant and local for a few pints. Many of the boys hung about the hotel and surrounding area. Three slightly more adventurous lads set of on a two hour hike to the top of a Mountain ( Their description) Big Hill that over looks Llanfoist. by 20.45 you could just see them sky lined at the top.
Video of the view from the top on our Facebook page. Plus 100s of Pictures.

Everyone safely tucked up by 1:30am. Someone was helped back i understand, i think i know who but as they say " what goes on tour "

Another good breakfast and and the wheels on the bus got going by 8.45 heading for Black Mountain Adventure. The Lads and Siblings split into two groups for a bit of High Wire and Kayaking. Only a taster really as they swapped mid morning. You can usually only do one activity per session but they could not accommodate us all in one group. Shame as we did have paint balling booked but this had to be pulled as they were having a few issues with someone who lives near by. I did offer to send the boys around to have a word but it was declined. Adults set off for a short mini bus ride to a local farm for Clay Pigeon shooting. Very few Clay Pigeons were hurt during the session.

Sunday Roast Lunch was taken at the Old Barn and the wheels set off again for the journey back to OBR by 19.30 All of Monday to recover and catch up on sleep.

Many thanks to you all. You're all a pleasure to tour with. The Boys good humored and sensible as usual, well most of them?
I have passed on my thanks to Abergavenny RFC who were such good hosts.

Hopefully see you all at OBR for the end of Season on the 8th June.