« I am very satisfied with this victory because it was a key match for us for the rest of the championship. The work pays off and we will get on with it because we still sin constantly. » Yannick Verdier, the Saintais foxes coach, remained lucid despite the importance of a successful evening at the expense of Draguignan (32-29) at Grand-Coudret. Once again on the podium, the Maritimes took matters into their own hands from the start on Saturday. The Touré, Lenclume, Blanchard and Gory seize the ball to offer themselves 4 goals in a row (5-1, 7th), before the Varois return to the game with, in particular, two beautiful shots from Eponough ( 5-3, 9th).
The Maritimes then climb back into the towers to once again create a gap of 5 units (13-8, 21st), overwhelming the visitors with rapid attacks following numerous losses of the opposing ball and two missed throws of 7 meters against Spady , the Fox's baraka-style goalkeeper. However, the Varois did not give up and gradually gained confidence to come back, relying on Gricourt's saves to find themselves one length behind at the break (15-14).
A “top” state of mind
Meyffret even brings his team back to level for the first time (15-15, 32nd). The game is balanced but two penalties from Le Fur and two goals in the empty cage allow the Saintais to take off, with 7 cables in advance. With a 30-25 at the start of money time, the Varois try to force their way through but, despite two last shots scored by Raby, Draguignan, who never gave up, must accept his defeat (32-29) .
“We gave them hope. But each time, we managed to recover and move forward.”
“It was a match with ups and downs. We first passed the Varois before the exclusion of Gory and the series of two failures in shots, which allowed them to come back together. In the 2nd half, we made a gap from the moment we released our layered defense in 1/5, rewinds Verdier. But despite the exclusion of Eponough and our numerical superiority, we did not manage to score and we had to make do with the saves of their goalkeeper while we did not defend very well. Matches are always made up of strong moments and weak moments, that's what happened this evening, we gave them hope. But each time, we managed to get back on our feet to move forward and keep our spirits at the top. »
Saintes 32 – Draguignan 29
Lieu Saintes (Grand-Coudret Gymnasium) Half time 15-14 Spectators 900 Referees WC. Sauval et Vahe
Saintes Guardians. Spady (1/1 and 16 saves) and Ewe (0 a.). Markers. V. Blanchard (3/4), Chatillon (1/3), Gory (5/6), Hakiki (0/0), Le Fur (4/7 including 2 at 7 m), Lebon-Mannou (5/10 ), Lenclume (4/8), Margnoux (1/2), Rosier (c, 2/3), Touré (6/11).
Draguignan Guardians. Gouaze (1 save) and Gricourt (16 a.). Markers. Anic (2/4), Becquemin (1/2), Bouclet (5/8 including 1 at 7 m), Brun (0/3), Eponouh (2/5), Gerin (5/8), Joulin (- ), Karolczak (0/1), Malfondet (2/4), Meyfret (3/6), Raby (4/5 including 2 at 7 m), Rahim (c, 4/6).
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