4 months after the SAM epic in Federal 1, a scent of final phases once again floated above Marius-Rodrigo. The Souletin supporters who came in droves were aware of this. Because the task looked complicated against the undefeated leader of the group.
Mauléon entered the game without hesitation without managing to score. Unlike the Deux Sevriens, carried by an Anthony Fuertes on fire in the first half hour. A 50/22, two penalties, 1 drop of 40 meters, the former Tarbes opener allowed the visitors to take off (0-9, 31st).
Trailing but well in place, the Souletins reduced the gap before half-time thanks to a penalty try following a penalty at 5m collapsed by left pillar Bergerol (7-9, 35th). After a first failure before the break, Aguer adjusted the sights and passed two penalties (44th, 54th) and SAM took control (13-9).
And Marius-Rodrigo rejoiced…
Short-lived joy for Mauléon. Niort obtained a penalty 5 m from the line and requested a scrum. If the Souletins had done better than resist until then, a succession of 4 penalties in this test of strength forced the referee to run under the posts (13-16, 64th). At 13 against 15, SAM found the strength to provoke a penalty which Aguer converted to equalize (16-16, 66th).
Fuertes gave Niort the lead again a few minutes later but Mauléon only had 3 points to go and 10 minutes to play. Carried by a Marius-Rodrigo of the great days, SAM finished the match in the Niortais camp. Leo Le Tiec’s teammates continued to take penalties. The third, played at the end of added time, was stopped on the try line. Center Gatien Labarriere took over from his forwards and scored the winning try.
Marius-Rodrigo could exult and commune with his players once again heroically. The Souletins bring down the big piece of the chicken after an epic fight like the SAM has the secret. With this success the Basques give themselves a little air in the standings before traveling to Lannemezan next Sunday.
“We have enough to defend ourselves!”
Bertrand Perez (Pillar of SAM): “There are no words. We are amateurs and we come to train for moments like these. Last year we won the right to play these big matches. When the public responds and we also respond on the pitch, it makes the task very complicated for our opponents. We can take this match as a reference, we are really complete for 80 minutes. Even when we are outnumbered, we manage to hold them well. By respecting a few instructions, it’s nice to see that we have something to defend ourselves in this division. »
