The visitors had opened the sign anyway…
However, the guests had opened the scoring on a penalty, following a foul by the locals on the first ruck (0-3, 2nd). The AORC waited nearly six minutes to break into the opposing 22-yard line. The previous penalty taken by Pulon – mowed down in the middle of the match by Davetawalu when he had just mounted a spark plug – had not been found. Behind, the first Anglo-Saxon foray proved to be saving because after the ball was carried, Aziza widened towards André who pressed behind the goal area, before Pulon’s conversion into a corner (7-3, 7th).
Dominated up front at the start of the game, the locals, who managed to steal a few balls in touch, saw the pragmatic Niort investigate the points at his foot (7-6, 10th; 7-9, 17th). After also passing a penalty (10-9, 29th), the reaction of the Deux-Sévriens was not long in coming. Baudin’s breakthrough leads to Luteau’s goal (10-14, 30′). After repelling the assaults of Niortais on two consecutive penalties, the players of Anthony Biscay and Sébastien Fauqué finally gave way just before the break (10-21, 40th).
Double of André
Pushed back eleven lengths, the Basques stepped up the pressure on the NRC defence. Before Pulon’s penalty, Layan finds the foul for the first time (15-21, 43′) then Aziza imitates it ten minutes later (25-21). A new breakthrough on his right wing will allow André to score twice (30-21, 58th). In the process, Vunibaka also reeded, to the left this time, and reduced the mark (30-26, 62nd).
Ten minutes from time, once the money-time started, Anglet dominated the fray, enough to allow himself a penalty (33-26, 70th). In the final minutes, Pulon sealed the victory for his team (36-26, 79th). This precious success places the Angloys in the top 6. A good omen before receiving, once again, the Arcachonnais, on January 15th.
Reaction
Sébastien Fauqué, coach of Anglet: “We knew it was going to be a tight game and that we would have to work harder to get past this Niort side. They still have a fairly large and very solid workforce. We were a little scared but dominated most of the match. We managed to finish our action with the wind in the second half. We countered them well. We have recovered important balloons, to deprive them of ammunition. After our three defeats in a row, this victory is a pleasure. We needed it. »
