Parisis Rugby Club ( France ) 18,    Frampton Cotterell ( Vets ) Rugby Club 26 

Frampton Cotterell continued there unique relationship with French Club Parisis when they visited the French capital over the weekend of November 7th - 9th.

The partnership in rugby started in 1977 when Framptons juniors first visited and that has continued for 31 years. The junior teams still make there biennial trip but this year it was the turn of Framptons over 35 TOAD team to make the crossing over the English channel.

Although the trip contains the delights of fine wine , cheese and the occasional snail , the highlight of the weekend is 'Le crunch' rugby match between the two great rugby nations.

Frampton arrived at the game in a sorry state after it seems there hosts had tried the age old trick of keeping them out late and over-indulging them but there was a remarkable start to the game. Prop Mark Smith somehow found himself with the ball from the kick off and raced thirty metres to score in the corner, skipper and fly half booted the kick over for an early Frampton lead.

Unfortunately, for the next 20 minutes Frampton struggled to come to terms with the decisions and language of the home referee and frustration set in. This was restored when the mercurial centre Barry Whitehead rolled back the years for a superb score and not to be outdone, Stuart Rutter sliced open the defence and Weaver converted both for a healthy half time lead.

The second half saw the French pummel Framptons line and the rotund South African Scrum half Deano Van der Morsner used all his experience to keep Frampton in the game. Strong tackling from back row Brian Rides, Wayne Kay and Ricky Shepherd edged Frampton forward as they went for the kill. Mike Lynett cut the French defence in ribbons , Dave Moulsdales pace continued the move and Whitehead slid in for the decisive try.