A victorious and all conquering Chester-le-Street Rugby Football Club recently returned from the seventh Schneider Electric Rugby Tournament in France.

Captain Martin Stephenson took a strong side of local players under the guise of 'UK Lions" to the Bordeaux region of France, to face four strong French Province teams of Merpin, Grenoble , Montmelian and Angouleme. In temperatures close to 30 degrees and playing in front of a large crowd of fanatical French Rugby supporters, the Cestrians faced Merpin in their opening game.

The visitors were never overawed by the challenge and the physicality of the French and eventually ran out 27-0 winners with No 8 Stephenson grabbing three quality tries and Darren Mudge grabbing an impressive score from 30 yards after excellent work from Norman Laws and Karl Pratt. Day two started with a comprehensive win against Montmelian, 17-0 with Stephenson scoring his fourth try of the tournament and Derek Clark kicking the crucial extra points. Scrum Half Scott Mine also had a try disallowed which is still being debated.

The final day saw the Cestrians start against Angouleme and scores were soon on the board including a well worked try from Michael Surtees which saw a touch down under the posts followed quickly by an impressive barging try from Allen Marshall. The Cestrians lost their first points of the tournament when the ever-unpredictable bounce of a rugby ball allowed one of the Angoulemes wingers to sprint through and score. However Chester finished the game 18-10 winners and well in control with the backrow of Dobbs, Bainbridge and Stephenson covering every inch of the park.

The Cestrians used their full squad of players to ensure a freshness to their play with physio Alan "tich" Greg keeping all players well hydrated throughout the games in the blistering heat.

This left a grand stand, winner takes all final game against firm favourites Grenoble on the Saturday evening. The home side played with typical French flare and skill but found it impossible to break the Cestrians defence. With minutes to go a penalty goal from Clark broke the dead lock and also the hearts of the French side. An exceptional passionate performance from all concerned with the spoils, a Winners Trophy for the local Chester players and a Grand Slam on French soil and memories that will last a lifetime.