Re: Official Match Thread - Catalans Away (CC) : Mon Apr 30, 2012 8:25 am  

Summary of the weekend.

As ever the Eagles supporters who travelled used every resource possible with fans travelling in from Stansted to Perpignan direct or via Beziers and SNCF and also via Girona on Northern Spain and then catching the Frogbus shuttle to Perpignan.

In true tradition we made our way to the bar recommended by the Catalan supporters only to find that it was closed. We were shortly joined by some Catalans fans and with much shrugging of the shoulders and the word "fermez" being used we realised that it wasn't going to open.

The chairman showed his mettle and went walkabout reappearing later with a case of Kronenburg and then repeated this 30 min later.

We were joined by "sanjunien" who we'd previously met in Toulouse and he introdeced himself to Marty, ESO, Brummie and SheffieldLiam

Eventually we made our way to the game in the much improved Stade Brutus.

The fans were enthusiastic and I'm sure we made ourselves heard and despite the tries coming in against us thick and fast the fans didn't waiver. At halftime we changed ends and sat in the stand behind the goal that the Eagles were attacking and despite being in the South of France the cool wind made it feel like we were in Cumbria.

We were then rewarded with a well worked try by Vinny which was converted by Simon Brown.

OK yes you could say that we were well routed but make no mistake the Catalans side are tremendous this year and will take bigger scalps than ours. They'll take some beating at home and could easily go all the way to Wembley.

With some fans still feeling a bit fragile from Friday night and others flagging because of the 0330 start Saturday night started as a low key affair but again in true tradition players, staff and fans alike still managed to get the party started.

On the Sunday before getting the bus back into Spain for the flight home the weather gods smiled on us allowing Brummie Eagle to partake in a little bit of sunbathing…..

Merci to all the Catalans we spoke to and especially to the guy with the bottle opener.

Re: Official Match Thread - Catalans Away (CC) : Mon Apr 30, 2012 11:23 am  

Yeah top weekend, shame about the result and the performance, we didn't play anything like we could but I enjoyed the trip all the same.

Had a few (too many) beers with brummie on Friday night in an Australian bar that I can only assume once had Rolf Harris on the tv. They were brilliant with us though, put the Fev game on the big screen and even bought us a pint on the house as we were about to leave.

Met up with everyone on Saturday afternoon, had a quick pint in the town then headed for Au Bon Coin, only to find it shut! So we congregated outside and had a few bottles of 1664, kindly purchased by Mr Chairman. The Catalans fans were in good form, especially the guy with the bottle opener as Airborne mentioned!

Then to the game which, as previously mentioned, was a disappointment. Taxis back to the town, another swift pint in the Aussie bar then met the players for a few in the Irish bar. I may or may not have told Robert Hicks he cost us the game!

Good weekend, roll on Carcassonne.

Re: Official Match Thread - Catalans Away (CC) : Mon Apr 30, 2012 11:43 am  

Yes I think you did tell him

Re: Official Match Thread - Catalans Away (CC) : Mon Apr 30, 2012 11:49 am  

Ah well. Also good to meet you Sanjunien. Match report: http://www.sheffieldeagles.com/index.ph ... Itemid=502

Ah well. Also good to meet you Sanjunien. Match report: http://www.sheffieldeagles.com/index.ph ... Itemid=502

Re: Official Match Thread - Catalans Away (CniceC) : Mon Apr 30, 2012 1:52 pm  

sanjunien wrote:

....though the Pelissier try in front of your fans was superb - straight out of the NRL.....

The one where Dureau broke the line with a change of pace for me. Handed on to someone before he got to the line - Bosc, I think ....

Re: Official Match Thread - Catalans Away (CC) : Mon Apr 30, 2012 2:40 pm  

Yes a great weekend apart from the result. It was really nice to meet Sanjuinen and finally put a face to the name, and thanks for your kind words outside Le Bon Coin. In fact, I'd like to send a huge thanks to Airbourne and Mrs Airbourne, SheffieldLiam and Brummie Eagle, and indeed everyone who helped me out during the weekend. I was struggling anyway with my mobility, but without you guys I'd've been in real trouble. Sorry I didn't make it out on Saturday to have a drink but my legs had gone by the time we got back to town after the game. I just had enough strength to make it down to the Quick burger bar for some supper, a Big Bacon bap meal with mayo on my fries, very tasty. Thought I wasn't going to make the flight as, on Friday night while in Manchester Airport, I tripped an alarm in the disabled toilet by gettting my coat wrapped round it. As I was leaving, a security guard came along and checked the toilet, then looked at me rather oddly, but I think I got away with it. (Just hope he doesn't read this forum, lol). Anyway, to sum up, lowpoint: the toilet incident, highpoints: sitting outside Le Bon Coin sipping 1664s supplied by Mr. Swire and having lunch with Menzie at Girona airport yesterday. Most embarrassing moment: asking a lady in La Galleries Lafayette department store if they had a lift and then realising I was standing about 6 feet away from it. Roll on Carcassonne.

Re: Official Match Thread - Catalans Away (CC) : Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:43 pm  

martyb wrote:

Most embarrassing moment: asking a lady in La Galleries Lafayette department store if they had a lift and then realising I was standing about 6 feet away from it.

That'll be 1.83 metres in France, of course.

Re: Official Match Thread - Catalans Away (CC) : Mon Apr 30, 2012 4:02 pm  

E.S.O wrote: Ah well. Also good to meet you Sanjunien. Match report: http://www.sheffieldeagles.com/index.ph ... Itemid=502 nice meeting you too mate - well done Wednesday great report - would you allow us to post it on the 'sang et or' website ?

E.S.O wrote: Ah well. Also good to meet you Sanjunien. Match report: http://www.sheffieldeagles.com/index.ph ... Itemid=502 nice meeting you too mate - well done Wednesday great report - would you allow us to post it on the 'sang et or' website ?

Re: Official Match Thread - Catalans Away (CC) : Mon Apr 30, 2012 6:20 pm  

I hope none of the travelling fans lost any sleep with the try tune going around and around in their head?

Re: Official Match Thread - Catalans Away (CC) : Mon Apr 30, 2012 6:24 pm  

sanjunien wrote:

nice meeting you too mate - well done Wednesday

great report - would you allow us to post it on the 'sang et or' website ?

Yeah mate go for it.

Airborne Eagle wrote:

I hope none of the travelling fans lost any sleep with the try tune going around and around in their head?

I still can't get it out of my head!

Annoying.