Stade Jean-Alric vibrated on Friday evening for a significant victory in Aurillac against Provence Rugby (26-17). In a duel that has honored the power and realism of the Cantalians, the Aixois, third of Pro D2 before this 18th day, suffered a serious stopover, weighed down by their indiscipline and their inability to compete in the Combat zones.
Certainly, it is not good to move around Cantal on a winter evening. While they could not play Jean-Alric last week due to impracticable field, the Aurillacois took the match by the right end. From the first minutes, Aurillac displayed an impressive intensity. Superiors in the rucks and solids in conquest, the Cantalians stifled their opponents by imposing a constant physical challenge to them. This domination was materialized by a series of penalties obtained in the Aix camp, perfectly exploited by the opener Tedo Abzhandadze, author of 11 points at the foot.
The Cantalian forwards have also shone, especially in the mauls worn, where they systematically took over. Slamani's performance symbolizes this grip: author of a double, the young second line distinguished himself by his power and his ability to make collective efforts. As a symbol, it is on a second test by the young Ile -de -France, written on a penalty played by hand after a succession of dominant phases, that Aurillac has widened an irremediable gap.
A fatal vacuum for Provence Rugby
If the first act had already let glimpse a few Aix flaws, the second period turned into a nightmare for them. The men of Mauricio Reggiardo crossed a 15 -minute air hole on the return from the locker room, multiplying the faults and sorely lacking in organization. A series of penalties conceded in their 22 meters offered valuable ammunition in Aurillac, which did not hesitate to drive the nail.
Provencal indiscipline has weighed heavily in the scale. Thus, George North received a paid yellow card the chronic indiscipline of the Aixois in the rucks. Also, on several occasions, the Aixois found themselves in difficulty to get out of their camp, victims of poor choices at the foot and a constant pressure exerted by Aurillac. Cazenave was also countering twice, the second leading to a Cantal test.
-A too late reaction
Led 26-3 at the time of play, Provence Rugby tried to react in the last 20 minutes. The entrances to experienced players brought a semblance of dynamism to a suffering team. The Aixois managed to register two trials at the end of the game, by Hanigan and Finau, but these starts have raised more pride than a real ascent.
This end of the match did not mask the gaps of visitors, always unable to compete in the conquest phases. The lost touches and the penalized melee punctuated a frustrating evening for training which however aspired to confirm its status as tenor of Pro D2.
Aurillac, the victory of realism
Opposite, Aurillac has perfectly exploited his strength. Their game at the foot, orchestrated by Abzhandadze and Senes, made it possible to occupy the ground and to stifle Provençal attempts. The Cantal defense, intractable in hot moments, was also one of the keys to success. The locals were able to remain disciplined and pragmatic, capitalizing on each opposing error to widen the gap.
With this victory, Aurillac sends a strong signal to its competitors in the maintenance race. Opposite, Provence Rugby, out of inspiration and discipline, never knew how to melt the cold realism Aurillacois. One winter evening in Jean-Alric, the Aixois discovered that in Cantal their ambitions could be frozen.
