A difficult victory for Lézignan in Avignon
The only undefeated team in the league, Lézignan pursues its sovereignty by winning in Avignon (14-18). Ninth success for FCL XIII.
The Lézignanais managed to win in Avignon yesterday afternoon (14-18). But how complicated it was for the men of Philippe Laurent! After five good minutes to the advantage of the premises, Lézignan is effective on his first attack. Guided by his hinge driven by James Maloney, Jean-Baptiste Bousquet took advantage of a good job on the outside to grab hold of the leather and open the counter. Maloney does not pass the transformation (0-4, 10th). The tone of the match is given in this first period. Baitieri, Maria and Albert impose themselves by their power. But the Avignon defense did not waver and showed great organization in order to inhibit the actions of Stacul’s partners. Avignon defended, but not only. The third line, Meyziani, recovers the ball and breaks the line, before serving Payne in space. We then believe in the local test but the Australian tripped over the mat one meter from the goal line. The duels then balance out. Benjamin Tort takes a yellow card (25th) during a high tackle on the back Arnaud. And the Bisons aren’t missing out on that chance. The pillar Mendy takes with him the last Aude defenders (27th). Arnaud’s transformation deviates from the posts and the two teams return to the locker room with this score of 4 to 4.
The class of James Maloney
As soon as the restart, Lézignan was very close to cashing in on a try on superb work from the Avignon forwards, Sebea and Mendy, but Payne again lost control of the leather a meter from the line. Avignon can blame themselves, especially since Lézignan is quick to react. Coste then Baitieri open spaces, allowing Théo Bonneriez to score in force (4-10, 47th). Efficiency is on the side of Lézignan. James Maloney demonstrates this by playing a small kick for himself before spinning to score his try under the posts. With the transformation and sensitivity (61st), the “green and white” smoking off (4-18). But on their land, the Avignonnais remain tough opponents and they will once again pursue him. It is still the excellent third line Meyziani who revives Avignon when he sees Andreu in queen (10-18, 70th). There are then ten minutes left to play. Lézignan finished at twelve, following a high tackle from Malfaz. In the 78th minute, Demonte scores in a corner and brings the Avignonnais to four points (14-18). But it’s too late, Lézignan wins and retains his invincibility.
avignon14 lézignan……….18
To Avignon. Sports Park. Half time: 4-4.
Arbitration by M. Casty.
For Avignon: 3 tries Mendy (27), Andreu (70), Demonte (78), 1 transformation Arnaud (70).
For Lezignan: 3 tries Bousquet (10), Bonneriez (47), Maloney (55), 2 transformations Maloney (47, 55), 1 candidate Maloney (61).
Yellow cards: in Lézignan, Tort (25), Malfaz (72).
Avignon: Arnaud, Demonte, Avis, Delor, Salphati, Andreu, Payne, Durandal, Ganz, Dorce-Hantz, Pourret, Seci, Meyziani; Mendy, Sebea, Jullien, Mallem.
Lezignan: Cardace, J. Flovie, Stacul, Bonneriez, Bousquet, (o) Maloney, (m) Ferret, A. Maria, Benausse, Malfaz, Costes, Albert, Baitieri; Ors, F. Maria, Grandjean, Tort.
The XIII Limouxin wins the shock
limoux24 carcassonne……….18
In Limoux. Needle Stadium. Half time: 16-12.
Arbitration by Mr. Vincent.
For Limoux: 4 tries F. Flovie (13), Robin (16), Templeman (34), Pettybourne (58), 3 Templeman conversions (16, 34, 58), 1 Templeman penalty (70).
For Carcassonne: 3 tries Albérola (9), Serulevu (26), Bitigri (47), 2 transformations Herrero (9, 26), 1 broke Herrero (54).
Yellow cards: in Limoux, Pettybourne (46); in Carcassonne, Canet (50, 76).
Limous: Santo, F. Flovie, Garrouste, Ader, Mayas, (o) Templeman, (m) Robin, Tisseyre, Liauzun, Hérold, Peault, Vergniol, Torreilles; Yesa, Puso, Bibille, Pettybourne.
Carcassonne: Soubeyras, A. Escamilla, Bitigri, Albert, Gambaro, (o) Herrero, (m) Albérola, Simon, Soum, Drodrolagi, Serulevu, Canet, Bouregba; Artiga, Dauliac, B. Escamilla, Boyer.
Will the teams ever be able to play in full? In this derby, it is once again not the case. Carcassonne was deprived of two foreigners and Limoux, which already has a fully complete infirmary, lost Maurel and Rouch in the morning, reached by Covid. But all these hazards were not going to influence the value of this derby. The two teams were going to engage without restraint in a colorful debate.
The two teams answered each other tit for tat
The start is rough, intense, physical with two teams taking turns testing the opposing defenses. We have to wait until the 10th minute to see the game unleash. The horses are released, the suspense can begin. It was Alexis Albérola, escaping the local defense, who opened the scoring (0-6, 9th). The response is immediate. Templeman with a foot pass shifts Fabien Flovie (4-6, 13th). The game is really started. Three minutes later, a luminous candle from Robin puts the Carcassonne defense in difficulty. This same Stan Robin recovers and goes in lady (10-6, 16th). The chase continues. Maika Serulevu escapes and restores the advantage to Carcassonnais (10-12, 26th). The latter dominate but Pat Templeman, on the lookout in his 20 meters, intercepts and places Limoux in the lead. 16 to 12, it is on this score that the two teams return to the locker room.
The second act will see both teams having their down time. The Limouxins are the first, but if they bend, they don’t break. They will suffer, and even find themselves reduced to 12 on yellow cards. Albérola takes advantage of this and despite three defenders on his back, then releases a winning ball for Sophien Bitigri. It’s the tie (16-16, 47th). Then Clément Herrero on punishment restores the advantage to the Carcassonnais (16-18, 54th). Limoux finds its second wind and reacts. Robin finds the fault for Eddy Pettybourne (22-18, 58th). Templeman adds a sanction (24-18, 70th). The locals gave themselves a little air.
There are ten minutes left to play. The Carcassonnais play their all but still stumble on an impermeable defense. Limoux holds its victory.
Ph. Laurent: “I am satisfied with the behavior of the team”
Philippe Laurent (Lézignan coach): “There was commitment from both teams. Avignon needed to take points, and us, to reassure ourselves on the small details. In defense, the job was done in this match. But, in attack , we see that we still have work to do. Overall, I am satisfied with the behavior of the team because coming to win in Avignon is always complicated. We are happy to be satisfied with the points of this victory.Cyril Stacul (three quarters center of Lézignan): “We expected this kind of match against Avignon after their rout in Carcassonne. They thought they were reacting, and what they did. On our side, we tried to erase what was wrong on the pitch by first half by being more disciplined, even if we take a card ten minutes from the end. But overall, we found the state of mind and the commitment that we wanted, which was not not the case in the last matches despite our victories.” Collected by EM
Hérold: “A big derby!”
Maxime Hérold, pillar of Limoux: “A big derby and a great victory! We stayed on the dynamics of the St-Estève match but, this time, with the victory. It’s the first big match we’ve won since we lost here in front of Lézignan (10-12). There was commitment from the start. There was indeed a drop in speed, but we did not take on water, on the contrary, we knew how to control the match. That’s what got us to victory.”Clément Herrero, opening half of Carcassonne: “With the stakes that we know, there was a great game. There was a lot of desire on both sides and a very tight scoreline where we weren’t missing much. “We have a few too many mistakes. We take two yellow cards and it’s hard to play shorthanded. These are details and all these mistakes, we bring them home and make us lose in the end.” Collected by AR