ESCA 37 – Vic-Fezensac 32
(À Trie) MT : 27-13. Referee: J. Passemar assisted by P. Quessette, C. Claverie (LOC)
Winners: 4 And Pujo (9, 52), Landaburu (21) Nogues (28) ; 4 T Baque (1) Camy (3) ; 1 D (68) and 2 P (16, 40) Camy.
Defeated: 4 E, Gaignard (32), Ader (65), Achilles (75), Ducousseau (80) ; 3T and 2 P (3, 18), Coelho.
Evolution you score : 0-3, 7-3, 10-3, 10-6, 17-6, 24-6, 24-13, 27-13 ; 34-13, 34-20, 37-20, 37-25, 37-32.
Coteaux de l’Arrêt Sports Agreement: Baque ; Camy, Despiau, Pujo, Nogues ; (o) Dubarry, (m) Landbury ; Vedere, Carmouse, Telmon ; Elkadiri Bouc, Ducrocq ; Ferrane, Semmartin (cap), Compagnet ; have entered: J. Pomes, Escoula, Berquet, Verdoux, C. Carbo, Larroux, R. Carbo.
UA Vicoise : Tomasella ; Coelho, Ducouseau, Gaignard (cap), Buffalan; (o) D’Andréa, (m) Lasbats; Dubost, Despax, Guirandi ; Gandi, Massarotto ; Daribeau, Achilli, Rizon ; sont rentrés: Cassagne, Perna, Bourdieu, Dupouy, Bondeu.
It is after a minute of silence in memory of Francis Darré (former president of the FCT) and Jean-Jacques Baïsi (former leader of the FCT), under a blazing sun, that the referee gives the kick-off of this round of 16 between the champion of Occitanie, UA Vicoise, promoted to Fédérale 3 la next season, to the ESCA team, which had also eliminated in the previous round a future resident of the higher level.
From the start, the Gersois took things in hand by offering a very lively game which quickly put the Haut-Pyrénéens at fault. Offside, Coelho opened the scoring in the 3rd minute (3-0). But the reaction of Semmartin’s men did not take long. Following a nice penal touch and a clean conquest, Pujo, launched into the axis, concludes the action. Baqué transforms and allows his team to take the lead (7-3).
The match is on. In the process, a ground fault from the Gersois allowed Camy, who entered after Baqué’s injury, to add three points (16th) to bring the score to 10-3. Anxious not to be left behind, the Tangos responded immediately: on another offside, the mischievous Coelho adjusted his sights (18th) and brought his team back to 10-6. We then feel that both teams want to make a difference on the scoreboard before the big heatwave. Esca made the break thanks to two converted tries scored in the 21st and 28th minutes, bringing the score to 24-6 at the half-hour mark.
But the Gersois are not giving up. On a quickly played penalty, they scored a very good try in the 32nd minute, returning to 24-13. Just before the break, Camy managed a drop of more than forty meters, giving his team a comfortable cushion when changing sides (27-13).
Returning from the locker room, the Haut-Pyrénéens are off to a strong start. Following a magnificent full-field recovery, Camy broke through before serving Pujo, who finished with a corner in the 52nd minute to bring the score to 34-13. But the Gers coach, T. Roussille, raises his voice and his message seems to get through. His players then delivered a very high level end to the match, playing a complete game with good balls and good use of width. Three tries scored in the 65th, 75th and 80th minutes, interspersed only with a penalty from Camy (68th), allowed the Tangos to return to 37-32.
The finale is thrilling. But in the rush, Gaignard’s men waste their last opportunity on a foul on the ground. Too bad for them, but a great collective victory for ESCA, which showed enormous solidarity.
R. Théo
