Can we say that the match was more complicated than expected, facing the last one?
Yes and no. We knew it was going to be complicated after Sunday's match, we left a lot of energy in the derby against Mouguerre (29-3). We were also at the limit of what was possible and we came across a team from Saint-Paul who were very brave and who bothered us from the first to the 80th.
We really had a not good match at all. We score two tries, but they are two blocks, zero passes. We lead 14-0, then Saint-Paul had control of the ball. They come back to 14 everywhere, it's deserved, their scorer misses two more penalties… In the second, we had a lot of domination without managing to score. But as we told the players at the end, these are matches that we have to learn to win, and we did it. We had a good first phase.
Are you still satisfied?
Of course. The players were frustrated by the way. But we reminded them that we remained on six games without defeat and that we were undefeated at home. After the twelfth day, we are second. We would have been told that six months ago… That's what we need to remember.
Given this first phase, have the objectives evolved?
No. Our first objective is to stay in Federal 2. We've only been there two seasons. Now, if we can qualify for the final stages… But we have to be careful: we were able to score 30 points on Mouguerre, and six days later, we almost lost to the last one.
Hasparren 17 – 14 Saint-Paul
Lieu Hasparren (Xapitalia stadium) Half time 14-14 Arbitrator Mr. Le Gentil
HASPARREN 2 tries from Auchoberry (14th, 21st); 2 transformations and 1 penalty (53rd) from Epelva.
The team Epelva – Bassagaisteguy, Auchoberry, Arrieta (Mendiburu, 50e), Garbiso (Arrieta, 51e) – (o) Sehebiade, (m) Lehanneur (Ortiz, 50e) – D. Broussaingaray, Dihumba Elimo (Ascarat, 50e), Sanderson (F . Darquy, 50e) – Dithurbide (c), Etcheverry – S. Etchepare (X. Broussaingaray, 50e), N. Etchepare (Coumet, 50e), Heguy (M. Darquy, 50e).
SAINT-PAUL 2 tries from Vallon (25th), Lalanne (37th); 2 Ferré transformations.
Yellow cards 46th (two players) White cardboard 46e
The team Lajournade – Guelin, Vallon, Lalanne, Troussier (Martiny, 54th) – (o) Ferre, (m) Gatuingt (Cazaubon, 54th) – Meric (Ducamp, 54th), Rabeil Croue (Broustaut, 54th), Lapoyalère – Cazeaux (Leloir) , 54th), Chaunier Loustau – Lacome (c) (Hontans, 55th), Pascouau (Lestage, 54th), Hontans (Lasserre, 54th).
