Facing the Floirac ogre, the players from Haut-Agenais never backed down with a strong defense and a huge desire. They won by four points and left their heads held high in Léo-Cheyrou.
Against the Floirac players, geared up to reach the higher level and aim for the wooden plank, it took men and guys who gave their all at 120% on the grass of Léo Cheyrou. Energy, desire, and tons of self-sacrifice were needed to prevent the visiting steamroller from dominating and walking on water as they did in their pool during the regular phase. So, lacking offensive brilliance and fireworks all over the field, Christophe De Lamarlière’s men focused on defense.
Hugo De Lamarlière and Adrien Boisserie valuable
Dominating in occupation and possession, the “prune and white” team responded brilliantly to the physical challenge and intensity, preventing the visitors from capitalizing on their territorial dominance. With a perfect lineup and Hugo De Lamarlière’s energetic presence dominating the aerial battle. Their defense held strong, pushing back the opponent who surely did not expect such resistance. With some good scrumming where the brave captain Adrien Boisserie regularly set the example for his regiment. It was truly determined men we saw on the field, spurred on by the Cheyrou crowd.
In this game, defenses often outweighed attacks, and the audience settled for two penalties on each side (3-3, 21st minute). Despite pushing and camping in the 22-yard, Floirac still managed to break the local defense with a beautiful combination in touch and a try by second-row Seru (3-10, 35th minute). But just before halftime, another ball handling by Hugo De Lamarlière and a monolithic advance of the forwards resulted in a collective try that delighted the stadium (10-10, 40th minute).
The second half mirrored the first, with Floirac players attacking aggressively but facing a strong “prune and white” defense. Even when the Girondin coach brought in reinforcements at the 5oth minute, and despite the 4 Cantons-BHAP reduced to 13 players fifteen minutes before the final whistle, they stood strong, defending and showing their strength. Only a penalty by Brethes allowed their team to regain the lead (10-13, 61st minute).
The try that ignites the stadium
Although they had no significant plays, the breakthrough came in the final moments. Following a good diagonal pass by Théo Rodes to Louis Gauban (76th minute), a penalty and a touch gave Lionel Girardi’s team the win with a successful try between the posts by Aurian Alpago (17-13, 77th minute). The stadium erupted in excitement!
If Floirac made a dangerous push to the 4 Cantons-BHAP’s 22 meters during extra time, the local team managed to snatch victory from them once again, leaving just a four-point difference. The return match in Gironde promises to be challenging for Adrien Boisserie’s teammates. But today, true grit and determination were on full display at Cheyrou!
4 CANTONS-BHAP 17 – FLOIRAC 13
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Halftime: 10-10.
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Referee: Thomas Dufau-Dussarrat (NA).
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Scoring evolution: 3-0, 3-3, 3-10, 10-10; 10-13, 17-13.
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Winners: 2 collective tries (40th), Alpago try (77th): 2 conversions and 1 penalty by Rodes (17th).
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Losers: Seru try (35th); 1 conversion and 2 penalties by Brethes (21st, 61st).
(Context: The article covers a local rugby match between two teams, focusing on the intense physical battle and defensive prowess displayed by the winning team, 4 Cantons-BHAP.)
(Fact Check: The article provides detailed match statistics and player lineups for reference.)
