He may not have the world’s most glamorous job but he certainly knows how to sweep a girl off her feet.

So when Frenchman, Julien Czerwonka, who sells sports shoes for a living, wondered what he should do to celebrate his girlfriend, Margaux Martinez’s 20th birthday, there was only one possibility - a surprise flight to Yorkshire to watch Catalan Dragons take on the Huddersfield Giants at the John Smith’s Stadium.

Joining him on the trip were an assortment of relatives and friends including Margaux’s parents Henri and Regine, Joel and Brigitte Suner, Claude Bordaneil, something of a rugby star in his school-days, his wife, Corinne and their daughter Sylvia, a primary school teacher.

And where better to celebrate her birthday but at one of Huddersfield’s best-known ale festivals, at The Star, at Folly Hall.

Greeting them there on Saturday night were several friends including Trefor and Lindsay Williams from Stalybridge, who was also celebrating her birthday, and Crosland Moor’s Neil Brook, 65, a postman for 43 years and a Giants fan since 1961.

Margaux, a nutritionist, said she was delighted with her birthday treat which included a specially-decorated cake.

Although the joys of some of England’s finest ales understandably passed her by her countrymen were soon tucking into the huge array of tipples from Accrington brewery Big Clock’s offering, Dirty Blonde, to Cornish and Welsh beers.

Cradling a nice glass of red, Margaux said: “I am so ‘appy! I think it is marvellous and a very convivial atmosphere.”

Joel, a regular visitor to these shores over many years, added: “It’s an opportunity to be with our friends. We are all having a good time.

“We all come from a small village called Canohès, near Perpignan, and it’s great to be in England drinking beer and watching the rugby.”

The French contingent were given a reverse Le Tour trip over the weekend before flying home today.

Unfortunately the Dragons lost 38-16.

Julien said: “It’s been great. Margaux has definitely had a birthday to remember!”

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