Amateur rugby: beaten in the Occitanie play-off, these clubs dominate during the regular season and on vacation far too early

Salgues et Bonnery n'ont rien pu faire pour l'AS Beaulieu. – ASB.

Beaten in the Occitanie play-offs, certain clubs saw their seasons end prematurely, even before the month of April…

Rugby is unfair. Each time spring arrives, it leaves the majority of clubs on the side of the road, while the others are engaged with passion and ambition on the highway to the final stages.

"There must of course be a limit and it’s true that it’s always ungrateful when you are on the wrong side", explains Alexandre Thouroude, president of AS Beaulieu.

The Hérault leader has reason to be disappointed: undefeated during the first thirteen matches of the season in Regional 3, the ASB ended up losing three matches in a row, at the worst time. The last of the regular season changed nothing, Beaulieu finished first. A first place which allowed him to compete in the local final, lost against Cruzy Saint-Chinian (23-15).

Also read: Amateur rugby: Bédarieux, Beaulieu, Plages d’Orb… first titles at stake this weekend, with the local shields in Hérault

A week later, the Beaulieurois had the privilege of playing an Occitanie play-off at home. A victory against Bessan (4th in pool 2) would have allowed them to advance to the next round, but above all to secure a place for the French championships.
And then unfortunately, the ASB Lions lost against Stade Bessanais (30-32).

The winner of the play-offs in Challenge in the future ?

"We produce more play than them, but they feed on our mistakes and we lose", explains Thouroude. A defeat in the final phase after dominating the regular season, and the Héraultais are already on vacation.

Last season, this same mishap happened to Vendargues, first in its group and winner of the Bouclier des terroirs, the Montpellier suburbs had already lost to Bessan and saw their season turn short .

This system, Salagou, second in his group and traveling to Canet, with the reigning champion, was also a victim this season. To avoid ending their seasons too prematurely, some clubs half-heartedly admit to avoiding 4th place in their group so as not to have to go “to the slaughterhouse” at a first hen.

Also read: Amateur rugby: Cruzy/Saint-Chinian, Mauguio and Rives d’Orb pocket the Shields of the Hérault terroirs

Instead, a 5th place allows you to receive in the first two rounds of the Challenge d’Occitanie : secondary competition where those who have not managed to compete compete against each other. qualify.
"Why wouldn't we have a system which reverses the winner of the dams, in Challenge d’Occitanie", proposes the president of the ASB.

A proposal, already in place within the Nouvelle-Aquitaine League, and which could change a lot of things, from next season in Occitanie.

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