The fourth and penultimate day of the French team championships marks a turning point in the season of the nine Auvergne clubs competing, this Sunday.
Some may look forward to this day with high ambitions, others will have to prevail to save themselves. As for the women of Sporting Vichy-Bellerive, the rise to Nationale 2 should probably be played out this Sunday, in the top-of-the-table duel which pits them against Aviron Bayonnais.
For this decisive match in Group D, the Thermales should be deprived of two major players, the Grail sisters. The club will, however, record the reinforcement of Angélique Berrat, (ranked 0), returning from the United States.
Interclubs: the girls of Sporting Vichy-Bellerive Tennis (SVBT) won the derby against Issoire, in Nationale 3
This fourth day should be just as decisive for Stade Clermontois (B) against its runner-up, the Limoges Bas Fargeas club. The two other Auvergne teams involved in Nationale 3, Riom and AS Montferrand (B), will have to win in the race to maintain.
Men’s teams play for their survival
Maintenance will be the main issue on the men’s side. In Nationale 2, Stade Clermontois, last in its group, is obliged to win against Tennis Stade Albertin, which is ahead of it in the rankings.
The context seems more favorable for AS Montferrand, which is fighting for its survival in Nationale 2 and is moving to the bottom, TC Toulonnais.
For US Issoire (N3), a victory on the courts of TC Thiais would allow them to look up in the rankings. For its part, the CUC (N4), in search of a fourth consecutive success, travels to the leader of its group, the Garches TC.
Clara Gazel
