USA Limoges did not miss their meeting. In a decisive meeting with a view to qualification, the Limougeaud collective responded by winning this Sunday afternoon on the lawn of Anglet.
Beaten in the first leg (24-19), the men of the duo Buononato – Eymard took their revenge on the Basques who came up against a Limoges block determined to achieve their ends. USAL took the lead before the break with a try from Luca Gruttadauria, his second in two matches, converted by Fouad Boulaghrifa who added a third penalty (10-16).
Upon returning from the locker room, the Limougeauds did not panic when Anglet came back on their heels. Better: they reacted quickly to regain their distance on an achievement by Antoine Glenisson. Hansie Graaf, who was making his return to competition, transformed (15-23).
At the end of the game, Anglet returned to the defensive bonus but, with courage, USAL preserved this precious victory for the future. Four days from the end, Limoges now has a 15-point lead over the first relegation player Floirac and remains three points from the sixth and last qualifying place.
Next meeting for USAL: Saturday March 11 at 8 p.m. in Beaublanc against Lannemezan, direct competitor for qualification.
Jean-Francois Darthoux
