Tavistock Thistles under 13's football team successfully completed a two-match tour in Brest, France.

Seventeen players and five parents left Plymouth and headed for Roscoff, where they were met by a member of Brest Round Table who acted as a guide, interpreter and general chaperone.

After a late night with not much sleep by any player or parent, the team set off to play the Brest side, Association Sportive Brestoise. The venue for the match was the Brest premier football team's training ground which was in superb condition, and after much friendly conversation the teams were led out onto the pitch by a Breton playing the bagpipes.

After a lively start, good football being played by both teams, the home side took a well deserved lead. The pace of the game started to take effect on the stamina of the visitors and with the lack of sleep the home team pressed home the advantage and won 5-0.

The spirit and friendship between the two teams was clear for all to see and after much celebration a tired team headed back to the hostel. After dinner and some beach volley ball it was time to get the lads to sleep ready for the next match.

Next morning, fully refreshed, Thistles headed out to the same venue to play Saint Rogers Football Club. This game was conducted with the same spirit of friendship as the first game and was a credit to all the players. The eventual result was 4-2 to the home team.

After a picnic in near-perfect weather the team headed back to Roscoff to catch the afternoon ferry back to Plymouth. Tired boys were met by smiling parents and with school the following morning all went home to bed.

Thistles official Martin Fowler thanked Plymouth Round Table for the use of the mini bus, the parents who gave up their weekend to help, and the team for good behaviour on and off the football pitch. The club has been invited to play next Easter in a football festival at Brest.

The Thistles team were: Josh Canning, Ian Smerdon, Eddie Lowe, Sam Turner, Oliver Hoskin, Mike Fowler, Chris Watts, Ben Sharland, Chris Macrae, Ross Allen, Dan Smith, Peter Davies, Tom Davies, James Hobbs, David Yorith, Daniel Bonny, Patrick Johnson.