Winners in the style of Villebon-Longjumeau (7-31), Sunday in Massy, the Centurions of Nîmes concluded their season in apotheosis by becoming French D3 champions.
They were right to believe it. Winners in the manner of the Quarks of Villebon-Longjumeau (7-31), Sunday June 16 in Massy, the Centurions of Nîmes, the rise to Division 2 already in their pocket, concluded their season in apotheosis by winning the title of champion of France of Division 3.
Datasheet
Villebon/Longjumeau – Nîmes: 7-31
Massy, Jules-Ladoumègue stadium.
Halftime: 7-7.
For Villebon-Longjumeau: 1 touchdown, Neige (11th); 1 transformation, Le Nocher (11th).
For Nîmes: 4 touchdowns, Etienne (21st), Etheve (31st, 59th), Banctel (56th); 4 transformations, Verran (21st, 31st, 56th, 59th); 1 penalty, Verran (34th).
Patience and pragmatism
In Essonne, on the usual ground of Massy rugby players in Fédérale 1, the Nîmes found the physical and mental resources to collect the Silver Helmet. “We knew how to be patient and pragmatic to make our highlights a reality, we lived up to the event”underlines player-coach Jean-Philippe Eldin.
The Centurions, who inflicted the Quarks with their only defeat of the season, flexed their muscles to perform a great number at the best of times.
Midi Libre – Thomas Loisel
Iron defense and solidarity
If the Essonniens struck first (7-0, 11th), the Gard steamroller gradually gained volume and made the difference at the start of the second half. In four minutes, the Centurions, supported by an iron defense and unfailing solidarity, dealt a big blow to the Ile-de-France residents (7-17, 34th).
Echoes of the Centurions
SECURITIES
The Centurions, who had fallen to the Regional after having rubbed shoulders with D2 in the mid-2010s, won their fourth national trophy on Sunday. The Silver Helmet won in Essonne is the second after that gleaned in 2005. The Centurions also won the Golden Helmet (Division 2) twice in 2009 and 2013. Sunday’s victory, coupled with the rise in Division 2, confirms the return to the forefront of a historic American football club in France.
DIVISION 2
For its return next season in D2, Nîmes has a double objective, according to Jean-Philippe Eldin: “We want to stabilize at this level and continue to grow and structure ourselves. We experienced some lows, not so long ago, we definitely don’t intend to skip ahead. We will move forward at our own pace.”
SUPPORTERS
Supported by around fifty supporters, the Nîmes team was encouraged from the first to the last minute. The nine-hour bus ride back to Nîmes, as soon as the title was won, promised to be festive.
Nîmes has never trembled
Nîmes did not tremble for a single second and even added two final touchdowns at the end of the game (56th and 59th). Mass had been said for a long time, and the Centurions could exult at the final whistle. Dominant and confident, they had just added a title to their rise to D2, concluding in style a season which will go down in history.
“There is a lot of pride and happinesssavors Jean-Philippe Eldin after lifting the Silver Helmet. We will savor this victory and take advantage of these moments, which are unique.”
