SUA Defeat Brive Despite Early Setback in Pro D2 Rugby

LThe feat held out its arms to them. A final penalty could have given them (finally) their second away victory of the season. It would have allowed them to blow the 6^eplace for the Corréziens. But Jouvin’s throw was blocked and the SUA had to settle for a defensive bonus point (18-13) which has rarely lived up to its name so well. Because it was by relying on an iron defense that the Agenais managed to make the Brivists doubt to the end who relied on the boot…

LThe feat held out its arms to them. A final penalty could have given them (finally) their second away victory of the season. It would have allowed them to blow the 6^e place for the Corréziens. But Jouvin’s throw was blocked and the SUA had to settle for a defensive bonus point (18-13) which has rarely lived up to its name so well. Because it was by relying on an iron defense that the Agenais managed to make the Brivists doubt to the end who relied on the boot of their Irish scrum half Cooney, author of all his team’s points at the foot (6/6).

At the end of this real final phase match in terms of intensity, commitment and suspense, the SUA is now 5 points behind the 6^e place. It will return to them in the event of a tie with the CAB at the end of the season thanks to the improved victory (41-10) in the first leg at Armandie. Nothing is lost in the race for the top 6. But this Friday, Mauricio Reggiardo’s men inevitably left Corrèze frustrated. This should fuel their motivation to beat another top 6 player, Valence Romans (4^e), from next Friday (7 p.m.) in Armandie.

Etcheverry shows the way

Relaunched in the race for the top 6 by the improved and convincing success (53-7) against Nevers, Mauricio Reggiardo’s men were full of confidence before heading to Corrèze. With only four changes in the starting fifteen (two in front and two behind), the Agenais approached this clash against their main direct competitor for 6^e place with 2 points behind, but without complexes. With a great burst of energy in defense, they managed to switch with only 2 points behind at the break (12-10). Everything was still possible.

“It is by relying on an iron defense that the Agenais managed to make the Brivists doubt until the end”

If the SUA was still in the game, it owed it to its defense and its realism. The Agenais, in fact, scored on their only two incursions into the Corrèze half of the field. On the first, they opted for the penalty. After a catch from Olmstead, Dupichot alerted winger Etcheverry who was pulling away to mystify three defenders and score his fourth try of the season (28^e). And after the siren, Pourteau received a 40-meter penalty (40^e+ 2). The SUA however suffered during this first period, offering four penalties to the CAB scorer, Cooney (4/4).

The feat within reach

Could the Agenais achieve the perfect away shot? They had good reason to believe it, especially after taking the lead for the first time of the evening with a second penalty from Pourteau (12-13, 45^e). Dominators in the melee, the partners of Peyo Muscarditz – left injured in one knee (48^e) – relied above all on their strong solidarity in defense to repel the attacks of Corréziens who were as clumsy as they were uninspired. So much so that the SUA still held its feat at the hour mark by muzzling the best attack at home this season.

Despite the fifth penalty of the evening from Irish scrum-half Cooney (15-13, 62^e), the Agenais could still hope to turn the table. They were still alive after the try refused to the Corrèze hooker Boudou for a fault – not very obvious – in his three-quarter position on the penalty (68^e). The SUA even offered itself two match points in a scrum at 5 meters (73^e) and a final penalty after the siren (80^e+ 1). Metronome Cooney’s sixth penalty (18-13, 77^e) changed nothing, the Agenais remained within the defensive bonus nails. Even if they could have dreamed of better, it was not stolen.