While USC was to win in Grenoble to validate its ticket for the final stages of Pro D2, Carcassonne, beaten 28-23 in Isère, will suddenly have to wait a little longer.
Defeated in these last two outings, USC was keen to rectify the situation on Friday evening against Grenoble and get closer to the final stages of Pro D2. Three days before the end, the logic is different for the two teams. If the Audois are close to achieving a historic feat, the FCG, thirteenth with 51 points, has nothing left to play, they only need one point to validate the maintenance.
On the ground, the difference is much less obvious. Struggling at the start of the game, Doumenc and others are at fault. The collective of Nicolas Nadau goes to look for the wings, and wins a first penalty. Romain Barthelemy scores the first points (3-0, 7th). The Douglas-Ezcurra-Manu trio undermines the Carcassonne defense. Grenoble is pushing hard in this first quarter. Christian Labit is not mistaken, the substitutes are already warming up. Carcassonne relies on the foot of Samuel Marquès. The strategy is good: after a good touch in the left corner, Sauveterre receives and sinks Grenoble to score the first try. Marquès transforms (3-7 24th).
The FCG does not decrease in intensity. The premises invest the left wing and obtain a new penalty. Barthelemy takes care of it. (6-7, 34th). The Occitan scrum half responds to him in stride (6-10, 37th). On the throw-in, the Audois retreat. In front of their in-goal line, they hold. Aurélien Azar repels the attacks. The referee sees a fault. Barthelemy is still illustrated (9-10, 40th). Half-time, Carcassonne leads by one point at the break.
A fifteen-minute air gap…
Returning from the locker room, Samuel Marquès took advantage of a forward from Douglas to score a new penalty and give the Aude XV a four-point lead. While USC settles in the Grenoble camp, Manu wakes up and breaks the Carcassonne lines. The Tongan is omnipresent. After an exceptional race, he shifts Qadiri who finds Capuozzo. First try, Barthelemy transforms, Grenoble goes back in front (16-10, 47th). Carcassonne can’t do it anymore, the locals are unwinding.
Found on the wing, Qadiri scored a new try, Barthelemy concluded (23-10, 50th). Ten minutes later, pushed by its public, the FCG accelerates again. And after another race from Manu, Ezcurra sinks USC (28-10, 63rd)… The current fifth in the standings must react. Samuel Marquès, little in sight in this second half, delivers a nice kick for Damien Añon. The back reduces the gap, Marquès transforms (28-20, 65th).
There are fifteen minutes left, eight points difference. Grenoble pushes, Carcassonne holds. Eight minutes from time, the Occitans get a new penalty, Marquès does not tremble (28-23, 72nd). No miracle, the Aude collective will not return. Carcassonne leaves Isère with the defensive bonus point in hand. The qualification will wait… Next meeting against Bayonne in 15 days, with the firm intention of winning: “It is at this price that we will qualify”concluded Christian Labit.
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