Pro D2 – At the opening of the 18th day of the championship, Nevers extended its impressive series at the Pré Fleuri stadium by defeating Vannes (25-3). USON, which consolidates its place among the top six with this five-point success, achieved a high-flying second period by scoring its 25 points. The Bretons could lose the lead in the championship at the end of this day.
A feeling of revenge for May 11. From this dam torn down by the visitors and this dream gone in addition for the ambitious USON (17-20). This time, Nevers drew on its resources to make Vannes bite the dust and offer themselves the offensive bonus (25-3). The Bretons are definitely no longer able to do it away, suffering a fifth setback in a row. This time, their executioner is called Nevers, led by a pack of fiery forwards.
In the ranking, Nevers (48 points) returns to the foot of the podium while awaiting tomorrow’s results. Beyond the table, the Péméja gang consolidated its place among the top six by taking a nine-point lead over Aurillac (7th, 39 points). As for Vilaseca’s partners, it’s all grimace. In the event of success for Provence Rugby against Brive, at Maurice-David, it is the Blacks who would take the lead in the championship. Vannes (1st, 55 points) is only two points ahead of Reggiardo’s men.
Nevers showed bad luck
In this duel at the top of the ranking, Vannes struck first thanks to the boot of Cotarmanach. The opener sanctioned a tackle without Elia’s brans (0-3, 9th). One of only three penalties obtained by the Bretons. Because in this first act, the Gorrissen gang suffered, conceding nine faults. On one of them, Alonso-Muñoz came close to expulsion. The Spaniard made a reverse tackle towards Ambadiang, who fell on his back (25th).
In numerical superiority, USON, faithful to its playing DNA, preferred penalties to goal attempts. Unfortunately, the Nivernais were not able to make the most of their strong moments. At the end of an inspired restart, with Reynolds at the helm, Mathiron, thanks to a beautiful pass on Plataret’s step, was propelled into the goal. On the video, Thomas Chérèque judged that the pass from the USON opener was forward (27th).
Ten minutes later, Bouyssou, who had been turned into the goal for the first time, managed to flatten the ball into the sacred ground. Despite Reynolds’ corner transformation, the black man was once again challenged by his video assistant. In this grouping a few meters from the goal, the scrum half was not the last participant in the ruck. He therefore did not have the right to play the ball (37th).
And since the saying of never two without three is familiar in France, the serial scorer Elia, at the end of a carried ball model, was not able to place the ball under the opposing pressure (40th). At the break, the Vannes leader was well paid to be three points ahead.
The serial scorer Elia Elia strikes again
The second act was of the same ilk. Despite a warning received by Noah (45th), for a dangerous tackle against Pedemonte, the locals never doubted. They did things methodically, taking the points through Reynolds (3-3, 50th).
Following a yellow card received by Gorrissen (54th), for a repetition of fouls, Nevers forced the decision through the house specialty: carried mauls. As always, with the support of three quarters, Elia Elia completed this collective effort. This is already the hooker’s eleventh try this season (8-3, 58th). In the corner, on the right, Le Bourhis sheltered his team (11-3, 67th).
In the last ten minutes, carried by a melting stadium, USON scored two tries. Author of a real personal feat by beating six opponents, Christian Ambadiang offered himself an achievement as a soloist (18-3, 70th). In a strong, more beastly style, Noah, who entered prematurely to replace Toleafoa’s injury, added the icing on the cake (25-3, 79th).
In two weeks, Nevers will now want to show the same face outside on the Brive lawn. At the same time, Vannes will owe a revenge against Aurillac.