The Catalan teams engaged in N2 men (Speed Bowls Rivesaltes) and N3 women (Canibals Perpignan) have gotten to the heart of the matter on the occasion of the 2nd day of the French bowling championship that took place this weekend in Provence, in Pertuis for Rivesaltes and Avignon for Perpignan.
N2 men: consolidation operation for Rivesaltes
The Speed Bowls were in 5th place in the group after J1 in Angers, and they are still in the same place after J2 in Pertuis. At first glance, it seems like a standstill, but is it really a status quo or could it be a hidden good operation? The difference between the two days lies in the distance the Rivesaltes team has taken from their pursuers. With the same points in J1 as the 6th place team, President Nicolas Benet’s team has moved 4 points ahead of them (Angoulême), the last qualifying place to stay in the top 10 teams of National 2 next year. A small cushion, not very thick, but it will count in the 3rd and final day in June at the Lyon bowling alley. By then, they will also need to solve the turnover issue in their team of five, as participating in the nine matches of high intensity over the weekend without a substitute, equivalent to 9 hours on the lanes, does not currently allow them to do better. For J3, the infirmary should empty out, that’s all we wish for them.
1. Albi-le-Sequestre (76) 2. Aix-en-Provence (74 pts) 3. Le Pertuis (69) 4. Jocks Caissargues (62) 5. Rivesaltes (60 pts) 6. Angoulême (54) 7. Angers (54) 8. Bourg-en-Bresse (41) 9. Courbevoie (35) 10. Roanne (17)
N3 women: revival operation initiated
This National 3 is tough for the women from Perpignan! The decision made by the federation to move half of the N3 players down to Regional league next year in order to tighten the elite has made it even harder. As a result, four out of the eight teams in the Catalans’ group will drop out at the end of the season. An additional setback was the last-minute withdrawal of junior player Océane Martin-Ponsoda, a key player for the team. But this weekend, the Canibalettes of Perpignan gritted their teeth against adversity, hitting strikes when needed, to ultimately win three out of the seven matches scheduled. This allowed them to move from 5th to 4th place, ensuring their survival. For the season finale in June, President Jean Vianet hopes for a consolidation of the ranking and perhaps continue the climb if the team is complete.
1. Black Cat Chambéry (59 pts) 2. Caissargues BC (58 pts) 3. RCT Toulon (51) 4. Canibals Perpignan (45 pts) 5. Aix-en-Provence (44) 6. Martigues (42) 7. Avignon BC (30) 8. Le Pertuis (22)
