Between the US Aspoise and Saint-Martin-de-Seignanx, this Sunday (2 p.m.) at the Henri-Cazenave stadium in Orthez, the regional final of R2 promises to be noted between two opponents who materialized their beautiful season by a rise in R1 and a title of departmental champion. And the Saint-Martinois intend to continue this flawless course: “winning a final has a taste of returning,” smiles President Didier Duhalde, who would see the regional shield joining that of the terroir at the “clubhouse”. “But the objective of the R1 climb being achieved, the rest is only bonus. The last trip was very difficult (victory against Lège-Cap-Ferret 28-36 in Mimizan) and the competition begins to shoot organizations… ”
Indeed, muscle pain is felt in the wingers and the Julien Bouchard center is affected at the elbow. “If we went quite easily in the quarter against the Charentais de la Couronne (52-12), the semi-final against Lège-Cap-Ferret was very complicated,” confirms the three-quarter coach Vincent Darrieumerlou, in the helm with Damien Robert de Latour in charge of the pack. “But we knew how to draw much further than in our reserves to take over in the last five minutes. »»
“To have fun”
The Saint-Martinois will once again have to give everything to the US Aspoise, which has already eliminated the other two qualified Landes clubs (Lesperon-Onesse and Tartas), before getting rid of the passage (26-17) in half. “These Béarnais have a very fellow pack, much more strong than ours. They have a fairly simple game, but they master their way of playing, apprehends the coach. We will oppose our usual game of movement and possession of a ball. “And the ASSM, who will play with his values, hopes to” have fun and please our great supporters “, concludes Vincent Darrieumerlou.
In promotion R1 (formerly Promotion Honor), Marsacq XV will play the regional final for its first year as a rise in R1. After having eliminated Libourne (18-0) then La Réole (16-15), the Landais will compete in the title against Ustaritz-Jatxou, another resident of Pool 5 in the different game, this Sunday (4 p.m.), still at the Henri-Cazenave stadium. “We have an experienced and very efficient pack on which we can rely because, given the wounded, we live a little on the back lines. Ustaritz provides less game ahead, but has some galloping leviors, ”says the Marsacq forward coach David Dussaubat. In the qualifying phase, everyone remained master at home. This time, in neutral terrain, the cards are redistributed: “Confidence is in the group, we can’t wait to be there!” »»
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