Federal 1: due to lack of proper lighting, RO Agde must move to Béziers

Morad Touizni, ancien de l’ASBH, va rejouer sur une pelouse biterroise samedi 12 octobre. MIDI LIBRE – MICHEL DESNOS

Le club reçoit Nuits-Saint-Georges à Sauclières, samedi 12 octobre en nocturne (19 h). Une délocalisation nécessaire.

Since the beginning of the week, there has been a general commotion in the ranks of Rugby-olympique agathois. Especially among the volunteers, who are preparing to transfer the refreshment stands to Béziers, where the Yellow and Blue will host Nuits-Saint-Georges on Saturday, October 12, at 7 p.m., at the Sauclières stadium. A legendary setting that is bound to make the maritime club tingle, even if we would obviously have preferred to host the Burgundians at the Michel-Millet stadium.

A necessary reciprocity

Because this season, the ROA has been spoiled in its Fédérale 1 group, with trips to Nantua, not far from the Swiss border, Villefranche-sur-Saône last week, Nuits-Saint-Georges, without forgetting Saint-Jean-en-Royans or Montmélian, between Albertville and Chambéry. Miles of road and expenses, with fortunately, tacit agreements between the clubs concerned, who do everything possible so that the teams can play on Saturday and thus avoid the players, amateurs most of the time, having to return home late in the night from Sunday to Monday. “These distant clubs are doing us a favor by playing at their home on Saturdays, we owe them reciprocity”, simply explains Damien Bes, the ROA's sports director.

Pylons already installed around the stadium

Problem, besides the lack of a covered stand, the Millet stadium also does not have enough lighting to play at night, which explains the move next weekend to Béziers. An uncomfortable situation for a club that nevertheless plays in the 4th national division.

However, there is not much missing. Four pylons are already positioned around the Millet pitch, two of which support relay antennas. The investment therefore does not seem insurmountable for the community. To be honest, we have seen in the past sums earmarked for much more futile investments. In the same vein, RO Agde will host Villefranche-sur-Saône and Nantua on Saturdays January 25 and March 29, in stadiums that have yet to be determined.

The joy of playing in Sauclières

In any case, the Agde managers are also enjoying the chance to have been allowed to set foot on the Sauclières pitch for a match. “It's one of the temples of rugby and we're very proud to play there”, appreciates Damien Bes. “Of course, in terms of stewardship, it's a lot of work for our volunteers, which also requires renting a truck. We are doing everything possible to ensure that this meeting is a popular success." Especially since rugby matches in Sauclières have become very rare and that once in passing, the very knowledgeable Béziers public could be tempted by a Fédérale 1 poster.

The match: Nuits-Saint-Georges to see the light again

After three away defeats – in Tricastin, La Valette and Villefranche-sur-Saône last weekend – for a home win against Châteaurenard on September 22, the start of the season for the Agathois is far from the standards of recent years. With a smaller squad than in the past, but still very good players, who will have to raise their heads on Saturday, October 12, on the Sauclières pitch. “We have a great team but everyone has to be aware of it”, positively the sporting director Damien Bes, convinced “that the leaders will show the way against Nuits-Saint-Georges. Last Saturday in Villefranche-sur-Saône, even if we lost quite heavily in the end (12 to 29), we had our best first 50 minutes of the season. We have to rely on that, it will end up paying off.”

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