It was almost a play-off that Valence Romans played this Saturday against Bourg-en-Bresse, since in the event of victory, the Damiers were guaranteed to finish in second place.
In a Pompidou stadium where the mistral blows at will, the Checkers begin the meeting facing the wind. But they occupy the field and strike first following a succession of pick and go in front of the in-goal and Sven Girlando scores in force (7-0.6).
But on the dismissal that follows, the Checkers are imprecise and offer good ammunition to the Bressans 15 m from the line. The Violets are effective and score through their half-scrum following a combination in the closed side (7-7.8th).
The Drôme go back on the attack, and prove to be dangerous in the 22 opponents. After a penalty 5m from in-goal, Dylan Lam gets out of the maul and serves Dorian Marco Pena who scores the second try of the VRDR, not converted by Joris Moura (12-7,14th) .
The players of Ain return several times to the camp of the Checkers, but do not manage to put the defense of the locals at fault. At the break, the VRDR leads rather logically 12 to 7, and will have the benefit of the wind in the second period.
Johann Authier’s players resume with a beating drum. On a ball recovered from 45 m, Joris Moura plays with the Bressan defense on the right wing and kicks a follow for himself. He speeds up the defenders, recovers the ball and scores in a corner (17-7.43′). The Damiers corner the Violets in their camp and add three more points through the boot of Joris Moura (20-7.53rd).
The minutes go by and the VRDR has taken over the game. Most of the game takes place in the visitors’ camp. After several breakthroughs and test opportunities tarnished by hand fouls, the Checkers eventually find the fault following a great collective action, concluded by Tim Giresse in the corner, and transformed by Lucas Méret (27-7, 77th).
The Pompidou public can then sing “we are in half, we are in half”, and the Damiers group and staff can let their joy burst at the final whistle on the lawn. Valence Romans Drôme Rugby is therefore guaranteed to finish in the first two places of the group, synonymous with direct qualification for the semi-finals of accession to Pro D2, and will have the advantage of hosting the return match at Pompidou on May 20. next.
