French claim 120th anniversary victory

PLAYERS from Stratford RFC and Sporting Club Universitaire de France (SCUF) celebrated 120 years of this historic fixture with their annual match which was staged at Pearcecroft.

The first contest was staged at the Parc du Princes in Paris and watched by a crowd of 3,000. Stratford won that game 21-0 and they backed that up with victory on home soil the following year.

The fixture was brought forward from its traditional May date this year and around 30 players travelled from France to play in both the main game for the prestigious Rose Cup - donated by AG ‘Sonny’ Rose in memory of his father GH Rose who had captained that first Stratford team - and also a ten-a-side Stratford Legends v SCUF contest earlier in the day.

The visitors won the main event 36-13 with Stratford’s points coming from Dan Whitby who kicked two penalties and converted Zak Amond’s second half try.

Stratford chairman Jason Savidge said: “The game was played with great spirit on a lovely sunny afternoon with a large crowd.

“We had a pre-match lunch for some 60 people which included Stratford ex-players, vice-presidents, family and guests along with some travelling SCUF committee and guests.

Afterwards there was a beach party and members of both committees enjoyed dinner at The Boat House.

“On Sunday we all came together to celebrate the occasion with a lunch at the club to present trophies and to swap memorabilia. Both club presidents made speeches acknowledging the strong 120-year relationship and promising the ongoing rugby friendship would continue.”