Last weekend, the elder statesmen from Hamilton Park wrote another chapter in the storied history of the famous hometown club by beating teams from Wales, England, Italy and France.

After going several years without a foreign tour at the club, Ards Rugby decided to respond to an invite to an over 30’s tournament in the south of France, just outside Lyon.

Following an inspirational pep talk from Terry Acheson, the local based club members set off down Lansdowne Road early on Friday morning on the first stage of this exciting adventure.

Having picked up a few crates of orange cordial on the Shore Road, the coach pressed on towards the airport as 'Judge' McKeag outlined his expectations for the days ahead.

Despite the early start, 'Choirmaster' McFarland squeezed an emotional performance of 'The Londonderry Air' from the Black Knights choir, which was well received by the travelling throngs in Dublin airport.

Other visitors returning to the far east were particularly delighted to get their photo taken with Darby O'Gill AKA Gordy McBride who pulled off the role with his usual panache.

A smooth flight and coach transfer followed and after checking in at the highly acclaimed Mister Bed hotel in Bourgoin Jallieu, the Black Knights met up with our resort guide, the inimitable Bernard from St Savin Rugby Club.

Bernard escorted us to a local watering hole, where the squad could discuss tactics, run through moves and prepare for the early start in a professional manner.

The tournament started on Saturday morning at St Savin rugby club in a truly beautiful setting. Overlooked by vineyards on the nearby hills, the pitches were framed by a picturesque Town hall on one side and a 17th Century chapel and clock tower on the other.

Thankfully the Black Knights knew all about 'l'esprit de clocher' so were expecting a tough challenge from the local teams.

The weather was perfect for running rugby and the team of Ards athletes crawled out of the changing room to face their toughest test of the tour so far, the warm up.

Past President Alistair Wilson offered to 'beast' the boys into submission, however the lads instead followed the advice of that other former club leader Rodney 'The Comber Cannonball' Jess, who advised that a glass of beer and a mars bar always did the trick for him.

This laid back approach was in total contrast to every other team in the tournament, who diligently prepared and practised for lengthy periods before each set of matches.

Thankfully on each occasion the europeans fell for the Black Knights cunning disguise of a bunch of older, unfit rag-tag bunch who were just there to make up the numbers.

To be fair one of the Ards back rowers pulled off a 'Rope-a-dope' that the Trojans would have been proud off by appearing unable to move during the morning session, before rising like a phoenix in the afternoon to complete the greatest comeback since Lazarus.

The tone for the day was set on the very first play of the first match when Stevie Robinson attacked the Novocastrian defence straight from the kick off.

Robbo has fought hard to establish himself in the Black Knights squad and he was determined to showcase all his powerful running skills on this tour.

He exploded through several tackles and ran in a score from deep to immediately put the opposition on the backfoot and give the Ards lads a real boost.

This was chalked off on a technicality as the tournament requires at least one pass beyond the half way line but Robbo's leadership set the performance and intensity level that many of his teammates would soon join him at.

The self styled saviour of Ards rugby, Chris Allen romped through the opening half like a young Iain Moles, beating defenders at will and scoring two tries.

The Donaghadee express, Gordy McBride flies over the hard ground like a cheetah and Gordy also scorched in for a high speed brace.

With the opening win under their belts, Ards set up against 'Rugby Tourist Grasse' for a tough encounter against a physical French outfit.

While this match lacked the free flowing attacking and tries of the previous game, strategically this was every bit as important as the Black Knights pack had to prove they could match the French brawn at the set piece and breakdown.

The Front five of Dempsey, Nutt, Stevenson, Paden and Presho made sure the County Down team didn't give an inch in the tight exchanges. McKeag, Robinson and McFarland were equally tenacious in the tackles and rucks.

The third fixture saw Ards play the reigning champions 'Momo RFC la tour de pin', now the Black knights were in full flow and scored the try of the tournament with a sweet passing move across the backline to Cyril Stocker, the all time Ards record try scorer made a beautiful feint standing up the famed Momo defence before powering through the gap and into the backfield.

Stocker drew the covering defenders before feeding McBride who came onto the ball like an exocet missile to outpace his opposing French number and score.

Momo responded and levelled the tie which set up an intriguing final few minutes.

With the Black Knights on top, the local team were defending desperately and illegally so, then had two players yellow carded for infringements.

Bizarrely with three minutes to play, and the Knights marching down the field to score the winner, the ref called time much to the disgust of the Ards support team on the sidelines.

An undefeated morning against strong opposition meant the Black Knights had exceeded expectations and were contenders for the tournament.

The only concern facing the team were the injuries being picked up during games, in particular the serious injury Les Boyd suffered to his leg dancing with the cheerleaders, so the break for lunch was well needed.

During the afternoon session, Ards played four matches in the main arena and their rugby was 'top of the bill'.

Iain Moles and Nigel Lynch provided fresh legs in the backrow, while the midfield of Trevor Spence and Chris Rodgerson tackled anything that moved, in fact throughout the day some of the most famous Black Knights, Neil Workman, Warren Simpson and Gary Morgan contributed magnificently for the team so close to their hearts.

All day long the Ards backs put on a masterclass in passing rugby. Throughout the tournament the distribution of Andy Matchett and Stevie Bell was more like Montana and Brady.

The playmaking was top drawer as they expertly read the opposing defences before launching the flying Ards backs whose penetrating running lines brought huge success.

Novocastrians, Jouven-Sots St Genoux and St Savin were all defeated heavily in the afternoon as the Black Knights ran riot.

There were further try scoring contributions from Lynch, Matchett, Spence, Stocker and a beauty from John McCartney, taking his opposite number on the outside, right in front of the Ards supporters.

Ards had amassed a huge points total leading into the final game against 'Tonton Droppeurs Pont' and were able to coast through the final game with the overall result now beyond doubt.

Special mention must also go to Ashley Paden who played for an English side to help them field a full team in their final tie.

Highlights of the day were McBrides mazy runs up the sideline; a juggling contest between Stocker, McFarland and Allen; Chris Rodgerson playing for the first time in five years and crushing it, but most of all the incredible support from the squad members who were not on the field.

The Ards 'Sixteenth' man was crucial in their support both practical and vocal. Jimmy Webster, Jimmy Waide, Andrew Fletcher, Les Boyd, Tony Joyce, Brian Robinson, Alistair Wilson, Rodney Jess and Ricky Poulter were all outstanding.

Tour director Warren Simpson was delighted that all his meticulous planning had come to such a successful conclusion.

Every member of the touring party owes a huge thanks to Warren for driving the venture forward alongside John McCartney as style consultant while not forgetting Bryan McFarland and John McKeag for their leadership roles and all others who contributed.

The Ards squad ruled the entire weekend, in terms of singing and fashion stakes but most importantly rugby union.

Babe Ruth once said 'The way a team plays as a whole determines its success. You may have the greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don't play together, the club wont be worth a dime.'

I think the bambino would have fitted in well with the Black Knights and he would have loved the weekend at St Savin.