FCRFC Veterans
(over 35s) Teams 

Saturday 12th November 2012
Location : The Park , Frampton Cotterell.
Game : Le Crunch – Frampton Cotterell TOADS  v  Parisis OLD WOLVES
Score :  Frampton TOADS   40   Parisis Old Wolves   7

Frampton scorers : Barry Whitehead(3), Stuart Rutter, Martin Rigg, Ricky Shepherd, Mike Weaver 5 conversions

Saturday 12th November will go down in history as probably the best game played between the two veteran teams since this unique rugby relationship was incepted.

The score at the end bears little resemblance to actually what happened in the game and the closeness of the two teams in what was a crunch match of massive proportions.

Frampton tore into the French at the start, knowing there long journey and the previous nights drinking would severely hamper there performance. Dave ‘Father Ted’ Lawrence and Mike Weaver were opening holes in the French defence at will, as Ricky Shepherds forwards produced some quality possession. Weavers break down the blindside seemed all too easy as the French seemed to still have there minds on the girls from Hooters from the Friday night, and the diminutive Full back Barry Whitehead took Weaves pass and raced away down the line to score.

Maybe Frampton were now too complacent or overcome with the moment but it all went wrong for the rest of the half. Prop Mark Smith tried his best to motivate the team as he warmed up on the side as he prepared for his league game but even he could not straighten the line out throwing of Chris Bray. Time and time again the French got possession and eventually a language misunderstanding between Weaver and Tiley in the centre allowed the French to score  a converted try. Frampton then made changes with Nathan Cole leaving the field and was replaced with his twin Mike Lynett.  This stabilised Frampton and they finished the strongest, mainly due to the fitness levels of flanker Brian Rides…

Half time  FCRFC 5 PARISIS 7

With a combination of energy drinks, wine and cider at half time Frampton had high expectations. A fine break by Carl Groves was stopped short as he dropped the ball after being dazzled by the white boots of Mark Chadwick, it all seemed to be going wrong. Parisis took control of all possession and if a couple of kicks had not been missed, Parisis could have been out of sight. An urgent meeting between Director of Strategy Mark Cole and Coaching Guru Peter Zaffiro took place and changes were made to try and win the game.

It worked, as the last 10 minutes saw some remarkable rugby as Frampton produced a festival of Fijian type rugby for the large crowd…where did this come from?

Whitehead added two further tries, Martin ‘Warren Gatland ‘Rigg and Stuart Rutter also crossed. The best cheer came at the end as the Wham boys. Shepherd and Bleakman, combined with some excellent handling. Bleakman was stopped short only to hear  Ricky shout ‘ I’m your man ‘ on his shoulder, took the pass and crashed over. Weaver converted his fifth successful kick and the excellent referee Tony Swash blew his whistle to end a tremendous contest.

Full Time FCRFC 40 PARISIS 7

All the players and fans then decided there was only one option…Into the bar for a night of drinking, dancing and celebration before the journey home for Parisis on the Sunday morning.  

Subject: Match report and photo for Parisis weekend 2008.                                 

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.
The whistle blew and Frampton celebrated by first hoisting Man of the match Mark Smith for a lap of honour , then celebrated a famous victory long into the night before returning victoriously to the shores of England.

 2004

Coach: Paul Tucker

Coach: Ali Poole

Coach: Mike Lynett


31/10/2004

FCRFC Vets 45 - 19 Les Vieux Loups

Thought for the day:

Highlights: The 2004 fixture ended in a convincing win for the Frampton old boys, although at half time, and 14 all, it was clear that our guests had come to play some serious rugby. 

18/05/2002

Les Vieux Loups 33 - 19 FCRFC Vets

  Thought for the day:

Highlights: 2001/2002 finished with our vets travelling to Parisis in an attempt to repeat the previous seasons win.

In a game of three halves (work that one out!) Our old boys started well, Jerry Paddock (Thanks Bernie, thats the only way my name will ever get on the score sheet!) crossing to open the scoring after BW took his first little run around. Looking good and keeping ahead of Parisis, Frampton eventually started a 3rd half, and and endless stream of French replacemets (that's our excuse and we are sticking to it!) wore down our defences, Les Vieux Loups running in 5 tries to our 3, Frampton came good with a strong finish but not enough to win a very entertaining game. (See the 'News' page for more details...).

02/06/2001

FCRFC Vets More - less Parisis 'Les Vieux Loups'.

Thought for the day:

"You are still young if the morning after the night before still
makes the night before worth the morning after".

Highlights: To finish the 2000/2001 season on a high, Frampton hosted our friends from Parisis for a weekend. The highlight being a Veterans match on the Saturday afternoon. Terry Moore (nice shorts!) opened the scoring, and even I managed to get on the score sheet as we more than made up for loosing the previous game at Cotham. The French came back well to get a brace of tries in the second half but Frampton were too far ahead by then to be caught. The focus was more on the bonding of the 2 clubs rather than any result in the game, the winner was definatley Rugby in this fixture. All in all, a fantastic weekend, see the write up under 'news'!

11/02/2001

FCRFC Vets 0 - lost count! Cotham Park Vets.

Thought for the day:

"Its hard to feel as fit as a fiddle when you're shaped like a Cello"

Highlights: A second fixture, great! - result, not so good! Travelling to Cotham Park for the return fixture was obviousley too much for the elder statesman of Frampton. Cotham had learnt their lesson from the first match and this time were better prepared. Personally I blame the muddy conditions... But thanks all the same for the slide show after the game (we didn't really want reminding!), aswell as the beer and grub!

16/12/2000

Frampton Cotterell Vets. 21 - 15 Cotham Park Vets

Thought for the day:

"Middle age is when you would do anything to feel better,
except give up what's hurting you"

Highlights: Frampton Vets' first outing this season (and will it be the only?) brought a win against the visiting, and hitherto 'unbeaten' Cotham Park Vets. On a really wet day and muddy pitch, Cotham scored first and lead at half time, but with only 14 men the Frampton Vets dug deep to come back and score 3 converted tries, a well deserved win for a hastely put together team.
1 from 1 then, thats a 100% record!