RUGBY: The Gazelles fail one point behind Dax
This Sunday, March 20 at the Bourillot stadium, the Gazelles paid too many mistakes and haste against Dax (21-22), even if they were not far from overturning this crucial match for the maintenance in Elite 2.
This match against Dax was crucial in the race to maintain the Gazelles in Elite 2. Except that we should not rush too much.
The Dijon Bourgogne Women’s Rugby players were penalized several times for offside, but it was also when they lost the ball in their camp that they suffered a fatal block from Maika Duputs until the try (9th minute game). With the transformation of Jessica Gois Perestrelo, who managed a penalty ten minutes later (22nd), the US Dax team took the lead (10-0), before increasing their lead just before half-time, by a try off Angélique Lacoussade, after several playing times a few meters from the goal line (39th, 17-0).
The Gazelles paid for this first period against the wind, in which they did not manage to follow up or take advantage of a numerical superiority of ten minutes (23rd, yellow card to Andrea Sellenet).
“Patience! Patience! When we don’t put ourselves offside, we manage to do things, so we no longer have the right to be,” insisted coach Eliott Moreau at half-time. Specializing in the forwards, Corinne Devroute also asked for “more offensive support” during one of the rare Gazelles offensives in the Dacquoises camp in the first period.
A “rise” but well underway
The second part of the match was then thrilled by the Dijon players from the start. The good inspiration of Zoé Tomasello, brought wide and having opted for a low kick in the back of the defense, was followed by Camille Sordet in the promised land. His conversion allowed the Gazelles to come back to within ten points of their opponents (41st, 7-17). Less than ten minutes later, it was Océane Arnaud, and Camille Sordet in the transformation once again, who brought the RFDB to three points (14-17).
The Dijon “rebound” was calmed by an opposing try, in force from Sarah Zabchi (55th, failed conversion, 14-22). But the Gazelles have started again. Zoé Tomasello pierced the curtain dacquois to flatten the ball under the posts and facilitate the transformation signed Hermance Malnoy (70th, 21-22).
Only one point, ten minutes to play… The Gazelles, back in the defensive bonus, ultimately failed to win.
If Narbonne returns to four points with its victory against Limoges (9-8), Bruges-Blanquefort, red lantern and relegated team, is nine points from the RFDB in the Elite 2 classification. The Gazelles will be able to validate their maintenance during the one of their four remaining matches.
Alix Berthier
Photos: Alix Berthier