Villefranche dominated Léguvin 25-18, this Sunday, at the end of an intense match. Reduced to 13 players, the locals held on thanks to heroic defense and a decisive Chalies at the helm.
Between a team seeking qualification and another determined to retain its second place, this match promised to be competitive. It lived up to expectations, with Villefranche ultimately securing a clear and deserved victory. Fueled by enthusiastic fans, the locals may have delivered one of their best performances in recent weeks. Despite long periods playing with fewer players – first 14, then even 13 – they stood tall against the pool’s runner-up, caught off guard by such fierce opposition. The first half remained balanced, both in the scrums and forward play. It took a masterful breakthrough by Casenave, finished by Mercier, to truly ignite the game. This was followed by long minutes of pressure from Léguvin, camped in the opposition’s half and launching attacks near the try line. However, the heroic Villefranche defense held firm. Villefranche headed to halftime with a seven-point lead, while Léguvin may have felt some regrets. After the break, Villefranche struck hard. In less than ten minutes, the locals opened up a decisive gap. Orchestrating play, fly-half Chalies emerged as the true linchpin of the team, excelling in both game management and defensive commitment – a performance worthy of a man-of-the-match award. But the match would gain even more intensity. Reduced to 14 players first, then 13, the locals had to withstand constant pressure. On a huge carry, Girardi thought he had revived his team, but Villefranche presented an impressive defensive wall. Léguvin only managed to breach the try line once, through Chacana, in a surprising action along the touchline. It was too little to hope for a turnaround. Villefranche thus returned to its fundamentals: solidarity, commitment, and efficiency. A good sign ahead of the eagerly anticipated derby next Sunday in Castanet, with a chance to avenge the first match and reignite hopes of qualification.
