A trophy named in honour of two South Wales Police Rugby Club stalwarts has been created to mark the development of an international fixture with France Police.
The South Wales Police Men’s Rugby team played a special game against their French counterparts in Paris.
The game marked the first playing of the Griffiths-Cotterell Cup, named after Lindsay Griffiths and Steve Cotterell.
Despite travelling without nine regular first-team players, South Wales Police put in a spirited performance.
The team at the British Embassy, where the players met the ambassador Sir Thomas Drew
The match was close at half-time, but France Police pulled away in the final quarter to win 42–10.
Director of Rugby ex-PC Gareth ‘Bish’ Bishop said: “We created a trophy for us to play for – the Griffiths-Cotterell Cup.
“It’s named after Lindsay Griffiths and Steve Cotterell, who were stalwarts of South Wales Police Rugby when we were in the leagues.
“It’s nice to have that recognition and to play for that trophy.
France Police
“We went there without nine regular first-team players because they couldn’t get off work, and a couple were about to become fathers.
“It was really close at half-time, but after an hour they scored three tries and won 42–10.”
The French side will travel to South Wales next September for the return fixture, where both the men’s and women’s teams are set to compete, with France Police Women due to play Wales Police Women.
During their stay in Paris, the South Wales squad enjoyed a memorable visit to the British Embassy, where they met Sir Thomas Drew, the British Ambassador.
“We met the British Ambassador and were shown around the Embassy. It was quite a history lesson,” said Gareth.
“The Embassy used to be owned by Napoleon’s sister, so there’s whole history with that.
“And now, it’s got the only grass tennis court in Paris, apparently. So, when Wimbledon’s on, a lot of the professionals practice on it.
Eiffel Tower
“It’s quite a special place that’s hosted world leaders. We all gained a lot from the visit.”
The team also visited iconic landmarks including the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and the Arc de Triomphe.
Gareth said: “The boys bonded really well. It was a brilliant experience.”
It was initially thought that the game was the first time that the South Wales Police Rugby Team had played France Police.
However, the Federation was contacted on Facebook by Salvatore Balzano, Howard Casey, and Philip Noble to say they had played fixtures in the late 1970s or early 1980s.
But with the newly-established Griffiths-Cotterell Cup, it could be a regular fixture for years to come.
Attention now turns back to domestic competition as South Wales Police prepare for their Police Sport UK (PSUK) Cup campaign. They will face Gwent, Dyfed-Powys, Thames Valley, and the Metropolitan Police in their pool fixtures.
“The PSUK Cup started at the end of September, but because there are five teams in our league, we didn’t have a fixture, so our first game is this Wednesday against Gwent,” Gareth added. “We’re really looking forward to it.”
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