Valence Romans got off to a bad start in 2025, conceding a fourth defeat on home soil against Colomiers. The fault is too many errors and an inability to react in the second half.
In this period of wishes, the good resolutions to regain consistency and control over the 80 minutes of a meeting will not have been kept for Valence-Romans. The Checkers once again showed two totally different faces. The first period, apart from the first five minutes, was controlled and dominated by the Drômois, with two good tries scored by Adrien Roux and Joris Moura, giving a logical advantage at the break (17-8). But everything fell apart in the second half. The Drômois gave the baton to be beaten and twice allowed Colomiers to come back to within two points of the locals on two individual exploits from Ugo Pacome and Rodrigo Marta, punishing the Drômoises errors and defensive errors (24-22, 55th ). Unable to react, the Damiers will concede a fourth try, by Arthur Diaz, on a new turnover ball (24-29, 67th). Add to that the indiscipline with three yellow cards, and the cup is full. “We didn’t want to attack the year like that. There’s a lot of disappointment because our first half was pretty good but when we gain momentum, 30 points conceded, 4 tries, 3 yellow cards, it’s is too much, despite our chances, we don’t kill the match, we are able to make them fold but we take two tries with zero passes, two uppercuts. We had a good first half, we felt good and these. against us really hurts”, says Fabien Fortassin.
Don’t give up
Conversely, on the Columérin side, we could be satisfied and relieved to have won the victory, especially considering the first period. “At half-time, we could have been even further behind. Finally we came back with other intentions and then with two individual exploits, our three quarters broke the deadlock in the match. It took a lot of character from us but it felt good for the future”, confides captain Thomas Larrieu, happy to have won against his former team where he played for five seasons. For the VRDR, this fourth defeat at home further complicates the task of getting out of 15th place in Pro D2, synonymous with a jump-off for remaining with the losing National finalist at the end of the season. “There are 14 games left, there are a lot of points to take. Of course there is despondency and disappointment, but there is no resignation. We have an obligation, which is to stay in Pro D2 There are several paths to get there, count on us not to give up, we will get there. insists Fabien Fortassin.
