The statistics speak for themselves. It says a lot about the strength of the team. This season, the Alamercery cadets of Aviron Bayonnais have not yet lost a single match. They flew over the championship, passed more than a hundred points to two teams in their group and even brought down the great Stade Toulousain in the quarter-final (22-21), to open the royal road to the grand final, after having dismissed Castres in the half (30-11). “Last year, we lost in the quarter against the CO, who had been French champions. There, thanks to three or four very good recruits, from surrounding clubs, whether called Oloron or Tyrosse, we increased our level,” explains Bruno Campos, the forwards coach.
“Last year, we had a lot of difficulty in the engagement, against strong opponents. The recruits took us a step further”
“This season has exceeded expectations,” continues Sébastien Belascain, who is in charge of the three-quarters. “Last year, we had a lot of difficulty in terms of commitment, when we came up against strong, tough opponents. The recruits have helped us move up a level at this level. And the kids have grown both physically and mentally! We started from a very strong base in defense, which is what we lacked last year.”
Campus, Thalasso, going green…
Players on the field, the young Bayonne residents were able to benefit from a full-time physical trainer this season to get through the weeks with an almost empty infirmary. They also benefited from the expertise of Jean Monribot, who joined the Belascain-Campos pair on the sidelines. “He is intelligent, has found his place and brings his expertise in the touchline or offensive animation. He is very complementary with Bruno,” notes Belascain.
Also, the sky and white, who had left to experience a week that could mark their lives in the event of victory, settled in at the Campus, left empty by the professionals, the latter being currently on vacation. “We’ve been here for two weeks, it sanctifies the semi-final and the final, thinks Belascain. The children were very touched to be able to benefit from the facilities of the pros.” On Monday, to recover from the fight in the semi-final, they went to thalassotherapy and to mark the occasion a little more, the Bayonne delegation will leave the banks of the Nive this Friday evening, for a greening on the eve of a final during which they will try to dominate Brive, win a nineteenth match in a row, and bring the shield back to the Basque Country.
Bayonne – Brive
Lieu Lirac Stadium (Casteljaloux). Arbitrator M. Sacarot. Hourly This Saturday at 2 p.m.
Bayonne
The team Idiart – Sage, Bourges, Laher, Mundubeltz – (o) Daguerre (c), (m) Etcheverry – Texier, Dealfaquez, Lahitete – Goicoechea, Valdes – Preiss, Duhalt, Mendiboure. Substitutes: Blastre, Dye, Dubarry, Etcheto, Virfolet, Gatica, Esponde, Hernandez.
Biarritz: the Crabos in the Challenge final
The Biarritz Olympic Crabos will compete this weekend in the final of the Challenge de France. They will be opposed to Rouen Normandie Rugby. Kick-off is scheduled for 3 p.m., Saturday, in Thouars (Deux-Sèvres). In the semi-final, the red and white beat Montauban (16-18). The final of the French Crabos championship (the highest level for players under 18) will see CA Brive face Stade Toulousain.
