the essential The Varois of Draguignan were crowned champions of France yesterday in Balma, thus perpetuating the strong tradition of Provençal play in this department.
Yesterday afternoon, during the protocol for the presentation of the epilogue, Laurent Causse, with his proverbial humor, somewhat exaggerated the number of spectators present in the stands of Balma. On the other hand, the illustrious animation officer from the Gard breeding ground carried out this arithmetic reminder likely to help everyone to take the measure of the abyssal gap between the ultimate forces present: “It is about the fifty-second Provençal game final disputed by the Var committee, and the first for that of Deux-Sèvres”
More than just a department among others in the all-powerful Paca region, a stronghold, a culture, a style, exceptional leaders (Marc Benintendi, Bruno Golé aka “La Gaule”, Claude Arnéodo, etc.) serving legendary champions such as Fabrice Rouvin, Mohamed Benmostefa and other Anthony Kerfah. Suffice to say that there was no need to have recourse to… VAR to designate the winner of this edition that even the morning rain did not manage to disturb more than that. Good ambient mood obliges.
The final, it must be admitted, did not reach heights of intensity. The excessively defensive strategy of the members of Espérance Petanque de Champdeniers has a lot to do with it, which has left the most neutral of observers somewhat unsatisfied. Not to say, puzzled.
While they had absolutely nothing to lose against the Dracénoise “dream team”, Hivert and the Casteubles (Rémy, Louis), clearly reluctant to set off on the launch pad, gave the impression of playing to limit the damage, to delay the deadline often associated with the inevitable. An extra here, a replay there… Too little (five ends of a point) not to give the adage that “the stake takes precedence over the game” its full and complete illustration. Too bad, because their overall journey will have been, like that of the defeated Bourbonnais de Cabestany in 2021, magnificent or even exemplary!
It is thus only justice if the great favorite avoided the trap, the “Scud” sent by Benmostefa during the penultimate lead (11-5, then 12-5) being none other than the certified true copy of the “Exocet” synonymous with driving in the Salvetain nail, the day before. The Varois on the bulwark, therefore. A sporting achievement worthy of the formidable organizational challenge taken up by the Balma and Lasbordes coalitions. And this, under the aegis of the departmental committee of Haute-Garonne dear to the good president Le Manac’h.
#Balma #Draguignan #pack #won
