The winter sun had (finally) replaced the rain and the fog, illuminating the Pyrenean sky and allowing us to admire the mountains. But around the Hameau stadium in Pau, there was a completely different atmosphere on Saturday. The pre-match declarations of Sébastien Piqueronies (“We must deserve to survive in the Top 14”), the closed faces of the players during the warm-up, the worried looks of certain supporters… The reception at Vannes looked like a crucial turning point for the Section.
Penultimate in the Top 14, the Béarnaise team played hard against the red lantern. Coincidence of the calendar but an amusing wink – or distressing, it depends – the meeting was organized for the 13th and final day of the first leg, allowing us to know which team would finish 2024 in last place, with their heads full questions for the transition to the new year.
Upon entering the stadium, conversations were logically at full speed to discuss this “match of fear”, which still attracted 14,999 spectators. A nice sold out. At the refreshment bar, the exchanges between regulars spoke of the anxiety of the moment. “If we lose this match, it's over, we're good for Pro D2! » said a septuagenarian, a bit alarmist. “You're getting carried away,” replied another supporter, laughing. “We've been bad for a while but look at all the injuries, the absences during international matches… It's definitely going to come back up! » Coué method or not, we felt among the Béarnais supporters a unique cocktail of tension and hope for this meeting, supposed to relaunch the season or see the Section sink.
Mixture of excitement and fear in the stands for the last match of 2024.
Le Deodic David / SO
Between hope and apprehension
“We have no choice, we have to win, period. And if we have to win badly, we'll take it. A victory can restart everything,” said a thirty-year-old. Opposite, the Vannes supporters – formidable in good humor and chauvinism, Breton flag on the lookout – displayed an almost disconcerting carelessness. “We are last, we have nothing to lose in any case!” The advantage is that we, unlike you, can afford to play freely,” said one of them, in the direction of his sectionist neighbor.
Before the meeting, the debates stopped for a moment, time to celebrate Lily, a young player from the Lons Section Paloise Féminin, who died Thursday in a bus accident. Then the match ball arrived from the sky by helicopter, in a scene that James Bond would not have denied. “If with that, they don’t transcend themselves. »
Le Deodic David / SO
The arrival of the match ball… By helicopter!
” Come on ! A good start would reassure us,” hoped those last seated in their places at kick-off. Bad luck, the opposite happened. Two direct clearances into touch, two penalties and behind a regrouping, with two passes, Vannes would score. Through a former member of the house, Thibault Debaes, who also transformed the test. “Taking a test from a veteran of ours hurts, all the same. »
A bonus to reassure yourself
The Section, diesel, recovered quickly by sending Maddocks, Grandidier then Luc to test before the break. 27-10 after returning from the locker room, the anxiety has subsided. “We’re breathing a bit there,” rejoiced a relieved supporter. “It's the kind of half-time we needed because before kick-off, the scoreboard was at zero! »
Despite Vannes' self-sacrifice in the second half, materialized by two new tries, the Béarnais never again let go of their hold on the match, putting their offensive bonus under cover. ” So ! This is what we want to see! » exclaimed a young euphoric supporter, who remembered fondly the “derby” of September. “We find the fury that we showed against Bayonne (51-29 victory) at the start of the season and that we were capable of inflicting last year. “. Relieved, the Palois, fine players, paid tribute to their two former players, Thibault Debaes and Fabrice Metz, generously applauded as they left the field.
Le Deodic David / SO
The joy of the Palois, here Aaron Grandidier, at the end of the match.
Le Deodic David / SO
Everything is said.
Final score: 48-24, best score in the Section in 13 matches. A resounding victory, without doubt, improved, which gives hope to an entire club and leaves great promises. “Finally a real match,” exclaimed Julien. “Now we have to keep this dynamic, keep the performances going. » Like an ephemeral joy when we know that we must not have any illusions and that the road is still long. “But at least, this evening, we can breathe and sleep peacefully. »
