BSN Benji’s secure yet more silverware!

Match Report: Scott Joyce;

On Saturday 14^th November,  the all-conquering BSN Benji’s made the long trip south to compete in the prestigious Etten-Leur tournament. Given their well-documented early season success, the players and coaches approached the tournament with high hopes of improving on last year’s second place finish, but well aware that this would be a step up in class against strong opposition. After a long wait on a cold Autumn day (more on this later) the boys played their first game against a strong Breda team, who they had narrowly defeated at the DIOK tournament in September. For the first few minutes of the match it didn’t look good for BSN, with the boys dropping the ball more often than an English slip cordon. However, after a stern telling off at half time by stand in assistant coach Leyla, the boys eventually won the match comfortably 5-1. They followed this up with another win against new opponents Eindhoven (the official “scorer” Cedric apparently lost track of the final score), which meant they topped their pool and entered the post-lunch Cup competition against the other group winners.

Following another long break in the cold, the boys played their next match against the wonderfully named Oemenomenoe (I think), which must be Dutch for “Land of the Giants”, because they had some very big boys playing for them… Nevertheless, unperturbed as ever the BSN defence, led by our own Jack the Giant Slayer (Hugo), set about putting in some eye-wateringly tough tackles and the boys won the match 5-1. Next up was a match against a skillful and committed Oysters side, which the boys won 6-1. Finally, after yet another long break that started to fray the tempers of coaches, players and parents alike, the boys played Rotterdam in a winner takes all grand finale. The BSN then proceeded to play their best rugby of the season, putting in a sensational display and a monumental defensive effort to run out 5-1 winners. The Rotterdam coach even said after the game that it was the best he had ever seen a Benji’s team play!

So, given the terrible events of the previous evening, it was perhaps fitting that our French captain Camille collected the trophy on behalf of the BSN and that Louis was awarded with a man of the match medal for his barnstorming runs down the wing.

Finally, it should be noted that, unlike the All Blacks who are the undisputed number one team in the world, the BSN Benji’s have now won every competition they have entered this season. Thanks for a great day boys!

Squad:

W Latta, H Meek, C Velin (Capt), A Constable, M Regan, M Reininghaus, R Main, L Roux-O’Hara,  N Poupon, D Joyce, L Grimaud, J Meena, L Meena (Asst Coach)

Captain: Camille Velin

Man of the Match: Louis Grimaud

Coaches: Scott Joyce, Cedric Roux, Manuel Poupon