Memories of Bollene by Steve Camm

Posted by James on September 5, 2009 · Leave a Comment

This is Steve’s version of events. If anyone has any alternatives (perhaps more
realistic ones), send them into James

“There were less than 30 seconds on the clock as the mighty 68 year old Buttle
powered over the line from the 22 with the Bollene pack hanging onto but unable
to stop this juggernaut of a man. The scores were close. Ventnor trailed by a
point. Buttle’s destructive run however had put him in the corner leaving the
conversion at an almost impossible angle against and into the driving wind.
Camm, a giant of a man for his 18 tender years on the planet took the
responsibility, eyeing the shot with meticulous preparation, a quick dig of the heel
into the turf (no kicking aids then), the referee called last play. The 20,000 plus
crowd fell silent as the band struck up the Marseillaise: suddenly the noise was
unbearable….most could not look as the ball was struck away from the posts but
with enough loft to allow the treacherous wind to take its part……it flew true, it
deviated and bisected those posts like an arrow hitting the heart of every
Frenchman since Agincourt! The crowd fell silent, but then – as a man – they
rose in applause at what they had witnessed. It is a moment etched in everyman
or woman’s heart lucky enough to be there that day”.

Well that’s how I remember it. SC