At the end of a very complicated meeting, a glaring lack of efficiency, and a trap well set by Albi, Racing Club Narbonnais managed to maintain its invincibility at home in the championship (22-17). But the Audois will have to do much better in the future.
Finally, even in 2025, the Racing Club Narbonnais does not make people with heart problems want to come to the Parc des Sports et de l’Amitié. Or yes, because once again, as is often the case, we had to wait until the very last minutes to know the victorious outcome of this meeting. The last five to be precise. The Audois will score two tries, first to return to equality by the replacement hooker Gabriel Atlan behind a carried ball (17-17), then to win by Paul Belzons at the end of an action finally controlled (22-17) . But there was nothing simple about this return match. During the pre-match press conference, Narbonne manager Julien Seron warned of his concerns. His team agreed with him.
Too many unsuccessful actions
However, the first 20 minutes of Racing are full of hope. The Narbonnais play to their hand, in continuity, with speed like this breakthrough from Peter Betham (10th), energy. Albi is already in trouble. Except that Narbonne does not conclude, fails to score more than seven points and this first try in orange and black from Marius Antonescu (11th). Charles Malet, however, found himself twice in the goal, but unable to flatten under the Tarn pressure. Like this countless number of unsuccessfully carried balls. Worse still, the Audois will forget themselves in collisions, in combat, in ruck zones. And this lack will see Pierrick Nova fight like hell to prevent Albi from scoring, and coming out after being severely shaken in the head (33rd). But at that point in the match, Narbonne experienced several numerical superiorities without being able to score. And this throughout the match, because the Albigensians received four yellow cards (22nd, 27th, 43rd, 72nd), and even a red against Arthur Castant (43rd) following a second yellow.
But the lack of realism and efficiency is glaring on the Narbonnais side. Which means that in the end, Albi will believe in his chances, set a very big trap and think about winning. Ten minutes from the end of the match, the Park stopped breathing and saw the streak of invincibility at home come to an end (12-17, 70th). But the supporters don’t want it. So they push, the Park starts to shake again and Racing ignites. What’s next? Atlan and Belzons will finally reward this team and an entire stadium. The victory is at the end (22-17).
-An important meeting in Rouen to come
What could be better for the 100th match of the trio of Narbonnais coaches (Seron-Logerot-Mach) than to increase their record to 50 victories in this first match of the year 2025. 56 days after their last home meeting, Racing found its untouchable lair and, with courage, forceps, with all possible and unimaginable character, this team managed to add two additional weeks to the 672 days of invincibility in home in the regular phase of the championship. At least until the reception in Tarbes on January 25 (7 p.m.). But Narbonne should (could) have done better. Much better than being scared until the end in this match.
Especially since Friday evening, the results of the Narbonnais competitors had allowed Racing to claim to make a big dent in the standings. Rouen left its trip to Carcassonne empty-handed (23-9 defeat), Chambéry only brought back a single defensive bonus from Massy (17-13). As difficult as it was, this success above all allowed the Audois to put the Normans four points behind. But by chance of the calendar, the next meeting – very important – is obviously on the Rouennais ground (next Saturday 5:30 p.m.).
In the meantime, the Racing Club Narbonnais found its audience in record attendance this season (5,048 spectators). And only victory is beautiful.
