Eton Rugby Tour: July 2010

Monday 26 July 2010

SAL writes: "An early start saw a short trip to the Argentinean side of the Iguaçu Falls. The breathtaking scenery from above was trumped by the views from the river once we took our aqua safari. Mr Hulme was fully to blame for the subsequent soaking which entailed; when asked, "how wet do the boys want to get," his reply of "very, very" was certainly taken literally. At one point the boat seemed to sit under the water fall and drench the whole party. A quick change and an all you can eat buffet meat feast later and we were ready to drive to Brazil to see the other side of the falls. Delayed slightly by Ed Russell not paying his bill and Jake Studholme losing his camera, we were on our way. The Brazilian side offered a full panoramic of the whole stretch of the falls and was well worth the effort; or so we thought…….when the bus broke down, it was not wholly unexpected as for at least a mile the sound of scraping metal suggested all was not well. Our guide Luis organised some light refreshment and a replacement coach was with us within half an hour. Impressive stuff. After a quick change back at the ranch, we sped into town for our final meat feast. This was followed by a "Kangaroo Court", Judge Ed Oram presiding. Inter alia there were fines for Jones' constant tardiness, Russell ma's constant noise, Hartley-Russell's unhealthy obsession with Russell ma and Mr Gregory's bogus chant of "come on Windsor". Mr Paul was also in trouble with the bench for advising under-age boys that The Ship Inn in Wandsworth (near the McDonald's roundabout) was somewhere they might like to go to meet with ladies and success of a Sunday. Our final port of call was the Cuba Libre. Once again we saw the "Dudge-Step" and Russell mi compromised his integrity by being less than truthful about certain elements of his personal details.

The next morning saw breakfast and the opportunity for some tourists to enjoy a helicopter trip over the falls. At 12:30 we embarked on the 25 hour odyssey back to Heathrow. It all went smoothly until the final leg from Madrid. Charlie Hobhouse briefly lost his passport, just at the moment when we were about to have a chat with Ruud Gullit, who was boarding our flight. Fortunately he found it to ensure that bar the odd injury, the tour concluded trouble-free. I would like to thank the boys for their conduct on this tour. It is a somewhat nervy experience, given the range of mishaps which could happen. However, their attitude was constantly positive and they never gave up trying to enjoy themselves both on the pitch and off of it. And in both regards they got it right. I would also like to thank the staff members who came along. Mr Paul and Mr Gregory do not even teach at Eton, so deserve huge respect for giving up their time and for becoming an integral part of the tour so quickly. Mr MacLennan has only been at Eton one year but his coaching expertise and proactive approach belie so little experience. Finally, Mr Hulme, who knew nothing of rugby, proved worth his weight in gold. Knowing that boys taken to hospital were in the hands of a fluent Spanish-speaker made the tour much less stressful all round, as did his good humour and sage advice."

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James Tozer writes: "The day began (very prematurely) as the previous one had finished: on the long and winding road to Buenos Aires, deep in the bowels of the "Marcelo-mobile". Weary heads lolled against each other, with some gaining valuable rest by leaning on the windows. Some looked the worse for wear after a night out in Rosario; some had barely made the bus, sleepwalking from their rooms out of the Imperio's front door. The journey passed by in a blurry haze, with only the odd silhouette stumbling down the aisle or the blast of passing car horn for distraction.

We arrived at Buenos Aires' now familiar airport at 7am, with the check-in queue fast becoming a mass of bodies sleeping on suitcases. Arriving at the gate 2 hours later, we had plenty of time to kill, with most gratefully accepting the opportunity to get some more shut-eye. One poor wretch - who certainly appeared to be suffering from the after-effects of "Rosario-gate" - was the victim of an elaborate, passport-related prank by Russell and Hartley-Russell. With all international documentation recovered, we boarded the LAN flight to Iguazu.

After a somewhat turbulent flight - in which much was done by various members of the squad to assuage James Phillpot's fears - we arrived to the happy news that the hotel was yet to ready our rooms. One local pizza meal later, and we were back at the Complejo Americano, this time to unpack and settle in. Though a few individuals ventured into town to partake in local amusements - with Nick Russell receiving a fine return on a sound investment - a large portion of the squad remained in our new base, resting up. Dinner was served in the hotel's dining area - a light pasta dish - before a comparatively early night in anticipation of a 7am start for the falls. With the mosquitoes circling, all windows were kept firmly shut."

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James Tozer writes: "Though some of the squad were still feeling the after-effects of a week's intensive rugby, and many were suffering from a mild degree of mid-week fatigue, we pressed on with the itinerary. A whistle-stop tour of Rosario kicked off at 10.00, with the "Marcelo-mobile" whisking us through the more aesthetically-pleasing areas of the city. Highlights included a "magical" flower-bed calendar, a bridge that apparently stretched for 60km and a 300ft marble monument offering a panoramic view of Rosario for a 2 peso fee.

The tour concluded around 1.30pm, leaving the rest of the afternoon free (including the opportunity to catch up on sleep / complete the Imperio experience with a pool sesh). Some of the tour shuffled into central Rosario to see what offers were on the table, though the results - as ever with this enigmatic city - were something of a lottery, with Messrs Russell, Redwood and Hartley-Russell looking particularly down.

Either way, we all found our way back to the hotel for a 7.30 departure to one of the classiest restaurants in town for a celebratory meal. After a pleasant steak and Lopez combo, an executive decision was made to allow the squad a night out, with a nearby bar - electriK (sic) - the location of choice. Following a quiet sampling of Argentine mead, we headed back to the Imperio for a "hydration period" before setting off into the eerie night, Buenos Aires-bound, beginning at 2am."

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Wednesday 21 July 2010

The Final Match

James Tozer writes: "Following a leisurely morning of cereal, croissants and cutting-edge video analysis, we arrived at Club Rosario by 11.30. We were immediately impressed by the standard of the clubhouse and pitch, both of which belied the club's colonial roots. Unfortunately, the beautifully kept first team pitch was declared waterlogged - apparently a groundsman spotted dew on a few blades of grass by the corner-flag - and we were forced to relocate to the reserve pitches, another half-an-hour's drive away. These facilities were clearly less cared for, with parts of the pitch closer resembling sandpaper than turf. Unconcerned, we prepared for our last match for months, and the make-or-break game of the tour.

As customary, the 2nd XV assumed the curtain-raiser role, stepping out first into the sunny Rosario afternoon. The game started in the worst possible fashion, leaking a cheap try through missed tackles, but the 2nds soon equalised with a well-worked backs move. Both sides exchanged scores throughout the first half, with Jamie Wilson's precision goal-kicking grafting out a slight advantage. The second half continued in similar fashion, with an evenly-matched game creating a nail-biting finish. Sam William's late try clinched the victory in a real dog-fight: 34-29. James Tozer was awarded MofM for his tireless defence / chip-and-chase skills.

The XV faced a formidable opponent in Rosario's first team, but began the contest in the ascendancy, with Shane Adams' mazy run almost opening the scoring. Rosario made the most of a half-chance to take the lead, somewhat against the run of play, before quickly consolidating their advantage with two further scores. A Hartley-Russell penalty and Oram try reduced the deficit, but further dominance from the home side was asserted before half-time. Paddy Cavanagh-Butler continued his fine try-scoring form, adding to his tally despite carrying an injury, but in the end the local team proved too strong, running out as 48-17 victors. The XV must be commended for their resilience on this game, with the side ravaged by injury - 5 starters ruled out, 7-8 of the team carrying knocks and a record 8 substitutions used - and showed good commitment to match a well-organised, physical team for long stretches of play. MofM went to Dom Steele for his imperious work in the line-out.

With spirits refusing to be dampened by the events of the afternoon, the squad made the most of Club Rosario's hospitality, with cervezas in tow, before a bite to eat at McDonalds and a deep, deep sleep at Castle Imperio.
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Tuesday 20 July 2010

James Tozer writes: "Having packed and stowed our gear for Rosario, we made the most of our last morning in Santa Fe, enjoying a relaxing swim and spa session. 40 sweaty rugby players piled into the heated swimming pool, and proceeded to create the world's largest whirlpool (in which several of the younger members of the tour are believed to have been lost at sea). A game of water "bulldog" followed, with Jamie Wilson - still feeling a bit ginger from the night before - being one of the first casualties.

We sauntered onto the bus braced for another epic journey, eager for our next destination. The ennui of travel was alleviated by another Lions tour DVD - this time the 2009 South Africa edition - whilst Edward Russell entertained us with his stand-up act. The 3 or so hours transit flew by, and before long we were checking in to the luxurious Hotel Imperio, our latest HQ. The call of Rosario's city centre beckoned - with plenty of exciting activities on the cards - before dinner. Earlier, the coaches had decided to stick with steak rather than twist with pizza, and a full house settled down for our usual steak and chips at a local restaurant, before an early night at the Imperio."
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URGENT NOTICE FOR PARENTS IN ARGENTINA

Please note venue change has been confirmed to Rosario Atletico "Plaza Jewell" on Goddy Avenue between 8900 and 9000 (these are the block numbers). If you go up Goddoy Avenue, go past the Channel 3 studio/offices, over the railway and you will see the club on your right. Alternatively, you may come to the original venue (where we will be having lunch) and follow the coach, which will leave at 12:45. Kick off at 2:30 for 2nd XV followed by 1st XV.
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Monday 19 July 2010

James Tozer writes:"
Fresh for the upcoming clash with Universitario, we marched out to the waiting coach through the windy, drizzly morning. Arriving at the club an hour later, we were instantly aware of the difficult conditions, with an initial warm-up on one of the many pitches somewhat hampered by the wet and cold. Undeterred, we headed in for a quick pre-match bowl of pasta (with a generous helping of "butter sauce") before setting off to the changing rooms.

The 2nd XV were up first, striding into the arena to strains of "God Save the Queen". After an initial scrap, a sizeable lead was opened up, with holes in the home defence exposed and exploited time and again. A hatful of tries from all departments of the team brought the halftime score to 27-0, with a further 3 scores in the second period leading to a 42-0 rout. Freddie Davies was awarded the MofM award for his dynamic ball-carrying, with the young back-line also impressing.

The 1st XV, heading out into a darkening storm, were next up. Featuring a slightly altered side from the Newman match, the tourists started brightly, only to be pegged back by an untimely charge-down try. The team fought back well - despite occasional bouts of kick tennis - but trailed 7-0 at the break. A few chances presented themselves in the second half - notably a Sasada try disallowed for offside - but a late score for the home team killed of the game, with a final score of 15-0. Despite the result, the side did well to deal with a spate of injuries, and all 5 substitutes had to be used. The MofM accolade was awarded to Rory Anderson.

Once again, the home side treated us with great hospitality, providing a warm and enjoyable evening for us all at the club. Mr Lambert recited his traditional thank-you speech in Spanish - with an intricate joke at the expense of Hartley-Russell thrown in - before checking back into the hotel for a swim, spa and optional night out in Parana."
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The "Dudge-Step"

James Tozer writes:
Saturday signalled our departure from the sturdy ramparts of Castle Zentra, riding out into the misty morning of the Argentinian countryside. Around two hours of Marcelo's legendary driving elapsed before we reached a model ranch - designed to give tourists a feel for the more rustic side of the country - the proposed mid-stop of our epic expedition to Santa Fe.

The first activity on offer was a complimentary canter around the compound on one of the ranch's trusty steeds - sometimes reaching heady speeds of several metres per hour. Lunch was taken, with an interesting selection of meats, before a traditional Argentinian show featuring sultry singing, a tango master-class, and what can only be described as some sort of demented conkers dance in cowboy attire. The highlight, however, was without doubt Charlie "Dudge-Step" Dudgeon, whose salsa with a lady-friend was most impressive.

Cheered by an afternoon of farmy fun, we mounted the "Marcelo-mobile" for the remaining 6 hours of travel. A viewing of the inspirational 1997 Lions Tour DVD segued into Sherlock Holmes, with the promise of Harry Potter 3 on the horizon. Following a quick stop for nutrition at a local outlet - enough time for Hartley-Russell to get lippy with some of the locals - we endured a final 40 minute surge to Santa Fe. Delirious from our odyssey across the country, we staggered into the hotel - pleasantly spacious and comfy - before promptly hitting the sack.
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Saturday 17 July 2010

With all well recovered from the dogfight with Cardinal Newman, we caught a mid-morning bus out to the Tigre Delta for a voyage up the river. The meandering brown waterway enclosed by tropical foliage gave the impression of a scene from Apocalypse Now - a vision dispelled only by the colourful summer houses on either side (inhabited by BA's rich & famous)and the absence of the Viet Cong.

We arrived safely back on dry land, with all piranha swarms / cannibal tribes safely negotiated. A quick shuttle back to the Zentra Zone followed, then a free afternoon. As this was our last full day in Buenos Aires, we all took the opportunity to explore parts of the city not covered by the bus tour. Highlights included a riotous demonstration by psychotic members of the Peronista movement, and the discovery of the Mecca of all shopping centres in Abasto.

The evening drew in - one of the coldest recorded in recent Argentinian history - and the succulent offerings of the steak house inched ever closer. On arrival at Spettus Restaurant, we were not disappointed. Bucketfuls of tender rump, juicy sirloin and mouth-melting rib-eye were piled head-high on every table, fulfilling our wildest dreams of Argentine cuisine. After the meat deluge, we headed next door to one of an international chain of respectable bars - whose name escapes me - for a few cervezas. The trip home was marked only by the extensive use of Apple's "Pub Quiz" app, with the toppling of the colossus of Mr Lambert and Mr McLennan - collectively known as "Lambshanks & MC" - by the "Quizzee Rascals" - Messrs Tozer and Russell.
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Friday 16 July 2010

James Tozer writes: "With the big match drawing ever closer, we were granted our first free morning of the tour, in which to rest, recuperate and reflect before the Cardinal Newman showdown. Some seized the opportunity to visit the illustrious Buenos Aires zoo with Mr Hulme, at the heady price of 4 pesos; others paid a visit to the local market; all watched various video analysis seminars given by Messrs McLennan and Lambert in preparation for the afternoon. We arrived at Newman's impressive sporting facility at 2.15 - with Charlie Redwood's enormous fluffy purchase "Derek the Duck" in tow - well in time for a simultaneous 4.00 kick-off.

The XV ran out with a slightly changed side due to a couple of injuries / rotations. A solid start was overturned when Newman opened the scoring, following a series of missed tackles from a kick return. The touring side hit back immediately, with Paddy Cavanagh-Butler charging through flailing tackles to equalise in fine fashion. Despite a fairly evenly matched opening third, Newman led at the break thanks to another score and high penalty count, and resisted heavy Eton pressure in the second half only to add another try towards the end. With the side hit by multiple injuries before and during the match, and at one point playing with 14 men, this was a display of great heart and commitment, even if it ended in defeat 24-8 to a well-drilled and highly organised team."

Jamie Wilson writes: "The 2nd XV match against Cardinal Newman was a tough fought affair. There were unfortunately a few minor injuries which meant that we had no more substitutes for most of the game. We were dazzling in parts with some mazy running by Sam Williams earning him a try and some aggressive defence from Charlie Hobhouse and Charlie Dudgeon. Alas, we were let down by an exceptionally high penalty count and interesting local interpretations of the ruck area. There were some periods of wonderful powerful running from Nick Doman and Josh Ballantine-Dykes. We led 14-7 at half time but sloppy errors and a lack of composure let the opposition take a ten point lead with a few minutes to go. A great piece of counter attacking and a good finish by Teddy Sasada took us to only 3 points back but it was too little too late as the referee blew the final whistle to signal a 29-26 loss. It was still a good team performance and if it weren't for a few mistakes then we could well have won.

Despite recording two losses, the touring party decided to make the most of Henry Ashcroft's final evening before flying home. A night out at the docks - with a variety of top-notch, haute-cuisine eating facilities on offer - proved successful, with the group returning quietly homeward at 11.00. Needless to say, all were quickly fast asleep.
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Notice to touring parents. Restaurant website is http://www.spettusbuenosaires.com.ar/ and we expect to arrive there between 7:45 and 8pm.
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Thursday 15 July 2010

James Tozer writes, "With all feeling bright and chirpy after a good night's rest - Messrs Hobhouse and Horn looked particularly sharp - we set off for San Insidro, a beautiful area within Buenos Aires. We were given free reign to explore the area, and its magnificent cathedral; an expedition led by Edward Russell even made an impromptu excursion to the beach. We reconvened at the bus after lunch, only to discover that one member of the tour - who for his own safety will remain nameless - had inserted a blue shoulder-length braid into his hair. The result was something of a cross between Obi Wan Kenobi and a Romanian gypsy, and naturally attracted a significant amount of criticism.

In anticipation of the imminent match against Cardinal Newman, we engaged in a light 1 hour burst of training before visiting the British Embassy. An interesting Q&A session revealed that, contrary to Will Bailey's assertion, the Embassy was not a safe refuge for British criminals; nor was it an excuse to taunt the locals over the Falklands. Newly informed, we benefited from a meal at the Hard Rock Cafe - including a well-exploited all-you-can-drink pepsi deal and copious quantities of ice-cream. On returning, some were disappointed that local services were closed for business, and so we plumped for a relatively early sleepfest."
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Wednesday 14 July 2010

Joe Walker Try

Richardson Scores!

A classic try out on the wing ..

Please note both matches on Thursday at Cardinal Newman will kick off at 4pm.

James Tozer writes: Day 3 of the tour brought the first set of fixtures, 'gainst the power-house of Santa Teresa, a school situated about 1hr30min from our fortress at Hotel Zentra. We were greeted on arrival by two Argentine steak mountains, allegedly members of the opposition, each sporting long shanks of greasy brown hair and thighs that dwarfed even Big Ballo's. Refusing to be intimidated, the Eton troops marched through the crisp countryside to the battleground, with the high rugby posts looming overhead. After a quick but amicable plate of spaghetti Bolognese with the oppo, we were ready for our first games of competitive rugby in months.
The 2nd XV were called upon to open the tour account, and led by the inspirational Nick "Braveheart" Sinclair, took the field of play. After a fast but furious opening, in which the travelling side were able to rack up 3-4 tries, the home side began to get a foothold in the game, exposing a hole in the defence to claim their first try, and very nearly got a second, only to be prevented by the try-line heroics of Joe Walker. In the end, the 2nd's finished comfortable winners, at 41-7.
The 1st XV were next up, and opened in similar style, with Sam Williams crossing for the first score after only a handful of phases, and a pushover maul appeared to signal an impending rout. Once again though, the home side offered resistance, and tries were exchanged before a barnstorming run from Paddy Cavanagh-Butler and cheeky interception from Ed Oram sealed the victory, 32-12.The only blot on the win was an early injury to Henry Ashcroft, whose shoulder injury looks to have sidelined him for the next couple of months; we wish him the speediest of recoveries.
After a warm reception, featuring speeches from both sides, and an impressive effort by Mr Lambert in Spanish, we headed back to HQ. We enjoyed a night of quiet celebration involving steak, chips, pocas cervezas and the wisdom of "Two Pint Ted" Sasada, who would like everyone to know how much he loves the twin joys of beer and dubstep.
ED RUSSELL'S (COMPLETELY OBJECTIVE) OBSERVATIONS OF THE XV
Studholme: solid, in every sense of the word
Allen: kamikaze bomber, no regard for his safety
Horn: gave his all, including bodily fluids
Ashcroft: at a try a minute, would surely have scored a hatful if he had played the whole game
Steele: nailed the lineout, but reluctant to go for balls
Bailey: connoisseur of the barbaric howitzer of a lion roar, both on and off the ball
Anderson: Argentine lumberjacks, armed with chainsaws, failed to cut down his thighs of oak
Jones(MofM): someone should tell him the Falklands is already over
Phillpot: given an official warning for being too lippy to the ref. When quietened down very effective
Oram: Usain's latest rival, demonstrated by his acceleration for his 20m interception try
Richardson: twinkle toes, shows it only takes one to tango
Cavanagh-Butler: as chunky as an Argentine steak
Williams: lost his XV cherry, yet to score...
Williams KS: as quick on his feet as he is with his Latin EW
Hartley-Russell: climbing Eton's rugby hierarchy with the same ease as the scaffolding
(Ballantine-Dykes: a sizeable presence in attack and defence, pulled his weight)
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Tuesday 13 July 2010

The pictures shows boys being taught to celebrate a goal "Boca Juniors" style and posing with General San Martin! James Tozer writes:
"The Hotel Zentra experience began at 0815 hours, with an interesting array of yoghurts / cereals served in the basement / gym area. After Mr Lambert's extensive investigation into the case of the phantom passport, we headed out into the wide avenues of Buenos Aires for the traditional "bus & commentary" tour of the city. Despite dog-piling on the statue of Argentine hero General San Martin, introducing our mascot "Amber the Dog" to the ornate grave of Evita Peron, and purchasing a somewhat questionable array of Argentinian football shirts, we managed to make it to lunch without offending the locals with too much irreverence / acts of public desecration. Enter Felix Hartley-Russell, clad brazenly in the colours of FC River Plate, shamelessly dancing on the hallowed ground of arch-rivals Boca Juniors: the Bombonera. Led abruptly away by security guards - presumably for his own safety from the bloodthirsty throngs of Boca die-hards - Felix was quickly awarded the "Doughnut of the Day" hat, a none-too-classy golden-shining trucker's cap - to be worn at all times. An intensive training session in one of the area's many leafy parks followed, before a glamorous pre-match meal at the local pizzeria - approved by local connoisseur "Big Ballo" - and an early night before the first fixture."

Monday 12 July 2010

Arrival

We arrived in Buenos Aires safely and without incident some 21 hours after arriving at Heathrow. Spain's victory in the World Cup Final was warmly received and celebratory drinks were provided. A tired group proceeded to bed after a steak and chicken feast. Today we have seen the sights of Buenos Aires, including a tour of the Boca Juniors stadium, as well as a fruitful training session. As I write, one of the boys is composing something to reflect their impressions thus far. I enclose one photo of Josh Ballantine-Dykes relaxing!

Saturday 10 July 2010

Final preparations appear to be in place. I hope the 4am start will not be too painful!!

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Monday 5 July 2010

Preparations

I am in the final stages of preparing for the tour and setting up this blog is one of the final items on my to-do list. It is a shame Argentina were knocked out of the world cup - being in Buenos Aires on the day of the final would have been an experience to remember!