Niort – Rennes: 10-19
The big day of Niort RC had arrived on the lawn of the stadium arrow! A week after having dismissed Orléans, Niort RC players were back in Touraine, Sunday, May 4, for an indecisive final against Rennes EC. The two leaders of the first phase were found for a place at the upper level and the champion shield.
The national, Niort RC has never tasted it, while the Bretons wanted to return, a season after their descent. “In the final, you should not be inhibited and have fun, because I say it and I repeat: compared to what we have experienced, it’s a rugby match. And only a rugby match … “hammered the Niortais manager at the time of redoing the way to Tours, while indicating “A title is not given to everyone. When you know what it provides in terms of emotions, history … we remember our whole life. »»
No doubt that the Niortais will remember all their lives well, but with the bitter taste of defeat. They who were however so well left in this meeting should long feed deep regrets with the final whistle. “We are doing a very consistent first periodentrusted Johann Authier, the NRC manager, at the end of the match. Afterwards, we make too many mistakes in important moments. »»
“We let the storm pass”
Under a Breton spray, César Baudin’s partners were the first to accommodate the weather. The terrasson test, after a three-quarter movement, launched the NRC perfectly (10e). The Bretons, taken in the commitment, were forced twice to play fourteen (8e et 20e). A cash handle that renamed the Rennes who climbed, without panicking, their delay thanks to the boot of their noble opener (7-6, 32e). “We were aware of the big qualities of Niort. In all honesty, we were afraid of it. We knew that the showdown was going to be long, that you should be patient. Their twenty minutes were too strong, we let the storm pass ”explained Alexandre Gueroult, the captain of Rec.
The wind thus changed meaning before the break when market had to temporarily leave his own, punished by too much indiscipline (35e). It was even necessary a small miracle to see the RA fail on the in-goal line when it comes to breathing.
Niort, 14, deprived of solutions
Upon returning to the meadow, the tension was more palpable as the indecision did not leave the field. Additional proof, these chestnut exchanges which sent Baudin on the touches ten minutes and Rennes to the test (10-13, 53e). The Bretons took orders for the first time.
And Niortaise business further complicated a little more when Alcacebe, not really ten meters away, left his own to fourteen once again (64e). “In the second period, we were constantly with us, with a very limited arbitration on the game on the ground. We could not adapt, put our hands on the ball. On the match, the best won, analyzed the manager of Niort RC. We are taken in front, because we make stupid mistakes, and we find ourselves at 14 all the time. Afterwards, it’s complicated. We get out of the match taking two avoidable yellow cards. »»
The Rennais only had to manage the few opposing assaults to the end, and Berrod even placed them at a decisive distance. They could raise their arms, while the Niortais, their heads in the socks, had only their eyes to cry.
They have a week left to raise their heads in a final challenge in Espinassou, with this accession match against Langon, penultimate of National. “Today, we do not yet think of this meeting. It will quickly be necessary to digest the disappointment to get back to work. That’s life, concluded Johann Authier. We are disappointed but we have this second possibility of getting our place in National. We will have to take out the fangs. On our Espinassou court, we will have to give everything so as not to have any regrets. »» And leave tears of defeat in Touraine.
Half-time: 7-6.
Referee: M. Dauvissat.
For Niort: 1st, Terrasson (10e); 1T, strong (10e); 1p, strong (49e).
For Rennes: 1e, fau (53e) ; 1T, Noble (53e) ; 3P, Noble (26e32e), Berrod (79e80e+ 3).
Yellow cards: In Niort, market (35e), Baudin (51e), Downloaded (64e); In Rennes, Fau (8e), De Sousa (20e).
Niort: Bougerol, Chabeaudie, Roume – Baudin (C), Himmer – Tixier, Nieto, Goufan – Alcacebe (M), Fuertes (O) – Terrasson, Joly, Lavaux, Market – Sanchez. Finisseurs: Gimenez, Futeu, Le Roux, Massyn, Barbarit Guidani, Champs, Pilet, Aouadi.
Rennes : Faugne, Fau, Of Sousa Aperhama, Lazette, Groundingh, Berrod,
