Something is afoot–it’s plain to see as I drive into Castres for the market yesterday.
Blue and white everywhere–balloons and posters, flags and bunting adorn the private houses on the route into town.
A large banner hangs from a balcony on the facade of the theatre and an oversize CO shirt from a factory building.
It seems every shop has a display.
Only the austere Cathedral de Saint Benoit–remains aloof.
Allez les Bleus–Allez les CO
Go Blues–Go Castres Olympique!
Support our brave lads tonight!–they’ll need every last hurrah!
I quickly find a legitimate parking space–a rare event.
The market is relatively quiet.
There is no queue at the fishstall–mussels for lunch and monkfish for dinner.
Our friend Flo is putting the finishing touches to her beautiful stall of prime colored spices.
She looks fed up and flustered.
“Partout le monde ne parle que du Rugby.”
Nothing but RUGBY–everyone’s only talking about the RUGBY!
At the dry fruit and olive stand I’m told by an astonished marchande that this morning 44 coaches have left for Paris and an entire TGV (high speed train)–carrying more than a thousand fans–has been chartered.
No wonder the market is easier to move around in!
It is the final match of the French rugby season and Castres Olympique are the unexpected rivals to Montpellier–considered the best team of the season by a margin. (We can’t claim to be fervent fans of our local team–but our interest is aroused at moment like these)
Montpellier Herault Rugby (MHR) are automatic qualifiers for the final by finishing the season TOP of the six best teams.
They are owned by what the papers snootily call a “multi-millionaire”–with the implication that money has played a key role in their success.
CO themselves have been kept afloat for years by the local pharmaceutical company–such is the way of the rugby world these days.
They’ve had a patchy season–but have shown guts and determination to reach this far. The press have dubbed them underdogs, plucky outsiders!
Though they beat Toulouse and Racing 92 of Paris, tonight they’ll be hard pressed–is the scuttlebutt.
MHR are cruising to their first ever Bouclier (Shield) de Brennus (named for the man who designed it way back in 1892).
I turn on France 2 TV after supper and see the great sporting crucible of le Stade de France awash with blue and white.
The train was clearly on time.
The match has just restarted after the interval and I am amazed and delighted to see the score at the top of the screen.
Castres Olympique 19 Montpellier 6
I’m engaged and committed–but this is going to be a tense watch.
Castres are quickly under pressure and lose a star player to the sin bin.
The big men of Montpellier take advantage and narrow the gap to 19-13.
I begin to panic.
Castres, down to fourteen men, defend with guts and determination.
The Montpellier goal kicker is disastrously off form and misses a vital kick at a critical moment.
(The Montpellier captain, at the end, admits that Castres hardly made a mistake).
Castres, thrillingly, go on to score twice more–and CLINCH the match!
The stadium is awash with blue and white again– and tears flow freely on the pitch and in the stands.
A night of Rugby passion and drama!
Les Bleus ont gagnés–the Blues have triumphed–and are dubbed unlikely, but worthy winners by the press.
Sunday now and I am on my walk before lunch. As I turn for home a plane goes over–not unusual– there are two flights daily–Castres-Paris.
When a second and third go over, I realize that this not a usual day.
Must be the team and some of the fans returning in triumph to celebrate CO‘s fifth Bouclier de Brennus in its history.
The press is unforgiving:
“La nuit l’ogre de Montpellier était édentée!” [the night the beast of Montpellier had its teeth knocked out!]
In Castres today, the town is celebrating.
Our cheese merchant, Dominique,
a long time CO fan–describes the scene last night with the giant screen set up in Place Pierre Fabre–named for the founder of the Pharma company that has backed the team for years.
It was “très tendu“–very tense, he says–well, I know what he means!
Things are more relaxed now as the last of the players prepare to leave the scene–one keeping the trophy close to his chest.
I love rugby. Still remember Sebastien Chabal…
So do I, a great player, I even forgave him for being French! :~)
Congratulations Les Bleus! I’m in NY and have only recently discovered rugby. I think I’m going to be a fan!
Another fascinating narrative robin I find them so descriptive. Keep posting
Very hot here in cornwall today
Spent a lovely day in Truro in the sunshine. It was so warm the leat
Which usually runs beside the cobbles had dried up.
An evening with Windows ajar and fans on. will be hard to sleep tonight I fear
All best wishes to you et
al.
Trudy bodmin x
I’m no fan of Rugby. Wait until Australia plays France in the World Cup soccer. That will be tense !!
Yes it was….I was supporting France on account of my wife being French and my son who chose France over England…but what an awful display and undeserved win….
How exciting! So many things divide us these days and when a town comes together, and even closes down to experience a common event it feels very cozy. It’s a breath of fresh air knowing everyone is cheering for the same goal.
Blue and white: always been the best colours. (from a Chelsea fan)
Tense rugby matches probably cut a year or two off my life… but the excitement is worth it.
Specially if your team wins!
Sounds like an exciting time!!! 🙂 We don’t follow sports that much, but lately, the Boston Red Sox (yay!), Houston Astros, and New York Yankees (bah!) have been fighting it out… Hope the Sox win!!!
Hope so too!
Très intéressant!! I am not really a sports fan, but I love reading your posts about your life in the south of France and your restauration of the church, visits to the market, etc., since I am a retired French teacher. Thanks for sharing!
Sandy ( from the book signing in NYC.)
Hi Sandra and thanks.