It was a match from the antipodes at Georges-Pompidou between Valence Romans and Montauban in this 7th day of the Pro D2. Between a Sapiac who could play at the top of the ranking in the event of victory and the Damiers who wanted to leave last place in the event of success, there could only be one (very) disappointed at the end. At the end of a match full of suspense and in the rain, we engaged in a real boxing match and the knockout occurred in favor of the US Montalbanaise at the very end of the match on an attempt by Maxime Esppeut. Montauban takes the leadership position with a 4th victory in a row while Valence is more than ever last despite the defensive bonus. And another match narrowly lost for the Checkers.
Due to heavy rain falling in the region, we logically expected a complicated match in terms of spectacle between Valence and Montauban this evening at Pompidou. If the numerous losses of balls in the first minutes proved the lovers of the beautiful game right, the suspense and the intensity of the meeting reconciled everyone to this victory full of panache for the Montalbanais on the lawn of Valence Romans (31-32). In a match where the scorers were perfect on both sides, it took a bit of success and vision to take the victory. It is in favor of Montauban, the team with confidence, that the success turns. Like a symbol.
Complicated game, scorers present
The start of the match was tricky in the pouring rain and it was the visitors who were the most enterprising. Despite good intentions, the loss of balls and mistakes were too numerous to make a difference to the hand. Thomas Larregain opened the scoring for the visitors from almost 50m in the middle (11th) before Thomas Fortunel imitated him with a distant drop (14th) for a realistic start from Montauban (0-6). Valence Romans finally reacted and could count on its scorers to equalize and even go ahead after half an hour of play. Thomas Meret first (20th, 27th) before Joris Moura scored from his side from 52 meters ( 30th, 9-6).
The end of the first act was again in favor of US Montalbanaise with the first try of the match coming in the 34th minute. For once a touch on the 5m was well negotiated and the scrum half Powell, supporting his hooker, flattened (34th, 9-13) before Larregain, once again towards the halfway line, further worsened the score (40th, 9-16). The Tarn-et-Garonnais returned to the locker room in the lead.
Valencia Novels reinvigorated
As expected, Fabien Fortassin’s players had better intentions to occupy in the second half after having suffered too much during the first 40 minutes. Quickly, and once again from afar, Thomas Meret demonstrated his precision to reduce the score (46th, 12-16). The Drôme domination put pressure on Montauban who committed one too many fouls by Bradshaw and a tackle without the ball was synonymous with a yellow card. During these 10 minutes in numerical inferiority, the USM suffered 3 new penalties from Meret on as many attempts (50th, 56th, 59th) and only Fortunel, also on the foot (53rd), added the bill because Valence was in the lead for the first time (59th, 21-19).
The victory, the second of the season for Valence only, and the second in a row at home, was even announced for Damiers playing in pink on the occasion of Pink November when Cyril Deligny, replacement heel, scored the try for Valence Romans on a perfectly negotiated touch from 5m (64th, 28-19). But only 5 minutes later, the Sapiacains were already back at 3 points thanks to the boot of Fortunel (67th) then the distant drop from Bosviel who had just come into play at the back (69th, 28-25). A new gift from USM, however, allowed Lucas Meret to shine again with a 7/7 in penalties for 23 points scored in total (76th, 31-25). But the flash of play had not yet occurred. On receiving the commitment, Montauban played his all and Fortunel stamped towards the right wing to find the run of Espeut. The latter tapped to follow at the reception to succeed in a big bridge and finish in the goal with a dive at the limit. At 100% this evening, Fortunel gave the victory with a corner transformation that was anything but obvious (77th, 31-32).
Thus Valence Romans’ dreams of a second victory died as the US Montalbanaise took the lead in the Pro D2 ranking at the very end. A Friday evening full of suspense, cruelty and joy.
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