LSA suffered a heavy defeat on the field of Hendaye (27-13) on Sunday, April 26, for their return to the final stages. However, the players and staff are already looking ahead to the next weekend and are determined to turn things around against Cassagnes.
Despite the hustle and bustle at the Bayonne ham fair, the excitement in the Basque Country was in Hendaye on Sunday for the first round of the Federal 3 playoffs. At the Ondarraitz stadium, Lévézou Ségala’s players were back in the playoffs after eleven years. Unfortunately, the return was not successful. Despite optimal conditions, the friendly yet hostile reception from the locals increased the pressure on the field. In a choppy first half (18 penalties in 40 minutes!), both teams seemed paralyzed by the stakes.
Hendaye tried to develop their offensive game, based on initiative and speed, but they ran into the solid yellow and green defensive line. After a penalty from Morin (13th), Antonin Regourd’s teammates responded with a kick from the winger Mercadier, rewarding a breakthrough by the left prop, Rey (15th). Solid defensively, the Aveyron players seemed to have figured out their opponents. This feeling was further reinforced by Albouy’s interception leading to the first try of the match at the half-hour mark. However, just before halftime, LSA experienced a massive collapse. Amid a mix of errors and Basque rebellion, they accumulated faults, received a yellow card, and conceded a try from a penalty. Still recovering, they conceded another try early in the second half after a 50-22 deficit. Despite similar errors to the first-half’s final play, this time, the replacement hooker stayed calm to score in-goal (43rd), after a forward pass.
Constantly pinned in their half, Lévézou Ségala faced the Basque fury, conceding two more tries in the second half. The first from a scrum penalty and the second due to a unfortunate mix-up, punished by Hendaye shortly after. Fatigued and under pressure, they made further mistakes, resulting in turnovers resembling helplessness. Beyond the defeat, the three tries conceded cost dearly in the final result. With an offensive bonus point obtained, LSA must make up 14 points and win with three tries difference next Sunday in Cassagnes to advance to the round of 16. A significant challenge that doesn’t scare the Aveyron players as stated by Captain Regourd post-match. The coaches echoed the sentiment to motivate the team. It sets the stage for an intense 80-minute battle with everything at stake – a match to sustain the dream.
Reaction:
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Eric Viarouge, coach of Lévézou Ségala: “We came to win this match, not just limit the damage. We had the ingredients for a half, but then we fell apart. They have a good team, whom we respected. Now we will face them with great intention and above all, a lot of desire.”
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Antonin Regourd, captain of Lévézou Ségala: “We didn’t play our usual game. We encountered a strong defense, couldn’t move the impact points. When we did, we made progress. It’s a shame we couldn’t do it more often. We will rest first, then work, and see you next Sunday.”
