The joy at the final whistle and the invasion of the pitch by hundreds of Bayonne supporters were equal to the deliverance yesterday. A supreme deliverance as the Basques suffered to win a historic title of Alamercery cadet champion of France.
Because God, it was hard to lift this shield for Jean Monribot’s players who were nevertheless generally dominant but who too often lacked accuracy in the truth zone. More incisive, in the wake of a pair of crosses clearly above, the Basques thus lacked realism with nearly ten forwards committed in the 22 meters of Corrèze.
Vent fatal
And, by letting golden opportunities slip by, the latter were punished by a counterattack try from Mattenet in the 44th minute to regain control. Fortunately, Bayonne did not take long to react and third-row Lahitete scored his double, with all his might (14-12).
Calm and sure of their strength, the Rowing players kept their opponents under pressure thanks, in particular, to a solid victory and a touch which stole five minutes from Brive. Deprived of balls, the Brivistes were content with only crumbs but still had the match point.
Entering the game, Devaud held the winning penalty between his feet to reverse the final and punish the Bayonnais for an indiscipline which almost cost them dearly. But the Corrézien, with a swirling wind, seeing his attempt narrowly escape the poles. Bayonne then only had to ensure its dismissal and a defense in line to give itself the right to lift the French champion shield.
The Pena Baiona and the Hegoak could then resound on the lawn of the Lirac stadium in Casteljaloux. The jubilation lasted for many hours after the final whistle.
Bayonne 14 – Brive 12
Lieu Casteljaloux (Lirac stadium). Arbitrator M. Sacarot. my time 7-5
BRIVE 2 tries Bellier (8th), Mattenet (44th); 1 Sage-Aimard transformation (44th).
The team. Sage-Aimard; Vignal, Bellier, Pouch, Mattenet; (o) Claux, (m) Laurent; From Marigny, Azoulai, Rouves; François, Alves de Matos Victor; Tafili, Mendy, Chambeaud. Entered into play : Ayrault, Mohapatra, Alves de Matos Louis, Merigoux, Poignet, Devaud.
BAYONNE 2 Lahitete tries (13th, 52nd); 2 Idiart transformations (13th, 52nd).
The team. Idiart ; Sage, Laher, Bourges, Mundubeltz ; (o) Daguerre, (m) Etcheverry ; Texier, Dealle, Facquez, Lahitete ; Goicoechea, Valdes ; Echeveste, Ibarbour, Mendiboure. Entered into play : Blastre, Dye, Dubarry, Etcheto, Virfolet, Esponde, Gatica, Hernandez.
Yellow card. Rouves (61).
