Armchair rugby: The Pandas give in in the second period against the Dragons

Catalan Dragons 52- Pandas Montauban 44
MT: 14 to 24
For Pandas Montauban: 8 E Alazard (1, 66), Martin (34), Seixas (37), Duran (40), Rose (45, 78), Abassi (62) ; 6 T Alazard (1, 62, 78), Lemaitre (34, 37), Pereira (40).
For Catalan Dragons: 9 E Bourson (7, 32), N.Clausells (27, 55), G.Clausells (41, 76), Hivernat (48, 55, 57), Lacombe (80); 6 T N.Clausells (7), Hivernat (41, 48, 55, 57), G.Clausells (76), 2 P Hivernat (69, 73)
Referees: Laurent Bonnet (attack), David Roig (defense)
MONTAUBAN PANDAS: Lionel Alazard, Miguel Duran, Nicolas Lemaitre (cap), Jérôme Seixas, Vincent Rose, Yannick Martin, Mostafa Abassi, Ricardo Pereira. Coach: Maxime Chatain. Manager : Patrick Gorinat. Flageuse : Clarisse Gisquet. Water Carrier : Dorian Gisquet. Mechanic : Mario De Jesus.
Expulsion : Maxime Chatain (50)
DRAGONS CATALANS : Gilles Clausells, Joël Lacombe, Jérémy Bourson, Nicolas Clausells (cap), Arno Vargas, Jonathan Hivernat, Damien Dore. Coach : Cyril Torres. Scourge : Leo Hivernat. Who : Olivier Gertraud.

In the Elite 1 wheelchair rugby championship, the federation left the sixth day free. The matches were only scheduled during the end-of-year holidays, mixing the clubs from the two groups, under the term “extra match”. We do not yet know whether or not these matches will count for the Elite 1 ranking. The draw did things well or badly. In any case, he has scheduled a star meeting for this Saturday, in the Fobio multi-sports hall, representing the best in the world of armchair rugby: the Pandas of President Nicolas Gisquet (vice-champions of France) hosted the Catalan Dragons, title holders, for a sort of rematch of the last finals.

The Montalbanais entered the match well with a first try on a ball to follow, scored by international Nicolas Alazard. Very quickly, after a spectacular fall, the Catalan Joël Lacombe had to go out to recover. The two teams did not do each other any favors. The engagement was intense and the defenses well in place. The score only really changed at the end of the first half, initially driven by the Catalans, before a strong reaction from the locals who sent, in the last ten minutes of the first act, Yannick Martin, Jérôme Seixas and Miguel Duran on trial. At halftime, Nicolas Lemaitre's teammates led 24 to 14.

The Pandas make the French champions doubt

In the second period, the debates are still lively. The French champions regain the score, but the Montalbanais never give up. The Dragons will even attempt two penalties to ensure a victory which could have tilted in favor of the locals. The expulsion of coach Maxime Chatain did not allow the players to benefit from the technician's advice until the end. A great armchair rugby match, played in a tense atmosphere until the last minute, proving the interest of this meeting for both teams.
Once again, the Pandas competed with the Dragons, but once again, the Catalans won. The difference remains slight, which bodes well for the future.

And now…

On the next day, Saturday January 18, the Pandas will host Stade Toulousain Olympique, while the reserves will host Avignon.