Stade Rochelais defeats Lyon in pouring rain
The Rochelais were the strongest Monday night. Stronger than the Lyonnais, than the driving rain and the gusts of wind. A victory improved 25 to 3 which allows them to take fifth place in the standings.
Ihaia West had said it during the pre-match press conference ” When we have guys like Uini (Atonio, editor’s note) or Will (Skelton, editor’s note) who advance with the ball, it’s much easier for us to play “. And that was the case this Monday evening. The forwards from La Rochelle have done a job of Titan flying over the meeting of the head and the shoulders. The Lyon pack could not do anything and at the end of a match made very complicated by the deplorable weather, the Rochelais won thanks to three untransformed tries (GrĂ©gory Alldritt 33rd and 74th. Thomas Lavault 73rd) and two penalties .
La Rochelle thus reaches fifth place in the Top 14 ranking.
“Here, here, it’s La Rochelle!”
But the best moment of the meeting undoubtedly took place before the whistle. In front of an almost full Deflandre stadium, Kevin Gourdon advanced on the lawn. Umbrella in hand and tenant his little boy in the other hand. Without trembling and with his eternal smile he read a few words to the audience which chanted his name. “I am coming to bid you farewell as a Stade Rochelais player, but don’t be sad.”
For nine years, you have been an incredible support. I wish all players to experience what I experienced here. This incredible fervor, your fervor, that of Stade Marcel Deflandre. And I hope Stade Rochelais will make you scream again in the port, because you really deserve it! Thank you !
Kevin Gourdon, former Stade Rochelais player
Before returning to his place to attend the meeting, he handed the microphone to his little boy Eden who had a message for the spectators: “Here, here, it’s La Rochelle” he then launched, resumed in chorus by all the public.