Elite 1 – Avignon strolls against Villeneuve – Rugby League
Important match between two teams close in the standings since Avignon, sixth, receives Villeneuve, fifth.
Start of the match with faults and errors on both sides, Thomas Lasvenes took advantage of a defeat against the poles to open the scoring in the eighth minute of play. The Leopards were at fault three times in less than 5 minutes and offered a fine ammunition to the Bisons. Renaud Ganz launches Saloty Mendy who scores in force despite two defenders, the transformation of Olivier Arnaud passes, 6-2.
This first try hurts Villeneuve who multiplies the errors and the SOA quickly crosses the field thanks to Jack Payne to be in a good position again. Saloty Mendy turns into a decisive passer for Pio Seci who allows the Bisons to make the break. Double blow for the Leopards of Aquitaine who, in addition to taking a second try, lost Thomas Lasvenes to injury.
No time to breathe for Olivier Janzac’s men who are still suffering and crack on a good pass from Olivier Arnaud who sends Luc Delor to score, 18-2. Since the release of their captain, the Leopards are unrecognizable and cash a new test. Fabien Jullien, just entered, does what he wants in defense and serves Ayoub Mezyani who scores. Olivier Arnaud continues his faultless, 24-2 at half an hour of play and it will be the score at the break.
Unrolled Avignon
Start of the second half with many faults on both sides but it is Villeneuve who takes the best start. Despite the imprecision in the passes, the Leopards recovered the ball following a forward from Luc Delor. In the fifth down, Thomas Monclus hits a subtle kick behind the down, Kenzo Benouahab is the quickest and flattens, 24-6.
Avignon is reduced to 12 by taking a red card following a dangerous tackle by Sofiane Ghanem on Gavin Marguerite but Villeneuve is again at fault on a fifth down. Olivier Arnaud notes the penalty but the Avignon captain quickly makes up for it with a good offshore try. He transforms and the score is 30 to 6. The Villeneuvois have a new opportunity but do not realize to conclude.
Avignon, on the other hand, did not need to be prayed for and Saloty Mendy went there with his double, all in power again, to seal the outcome of the meeting then it was Baptiste Avis who scored following a situation where Villeneuve did not succeed in score again. Jack Payne scored a final try following a breakthrough by Olivier Arnaud and Avignon won 46-6 against Villeneuve who sank.