ASBH: in Vannes, Béziers never renounced its playing principles, but paid dearly for some blunders

The disappointment was great on the Béziers side. MAXPPP – Nicolas Creach

In Vannes, Pierre Caillet's group never closed the game, showed all the qualities of its moving game, but also paid cash for some of its blunders.

Pierre Caillet announced it Wednesday afternoon at a press conference: "It has to be a Super Rugby match on Friday evening, that's how we'll win."

This season, the ASBH lived through the game. Friday, it died a little through the game. More accustomed to a tradition of playing in front, historically strong in conquest, the Béziers fans took a liking to for a spectacular ASBH in this 2023-2024 season. Even in the semi-final, this team did not give up.

Also read: Reactions after Vannes-ASBH: "The best didn't win", "we are gypsies", "fucking confident"

Despite the worst possession statistics in Pro D2, Béziers was able to show its efficiency with the ball in hand throughout the year with 100 tries scored, taking advantage in particular of its Storti and Lorre arrows. Friday evening, at La Rabine, deprived of the Portuguese, the teammates of the young full-back, still very comfortable, made RC Vannes doubt for a long time.

In the first half, it was the Rouge et Bleu who created the best testing opportunities. The Héraultais also thought they would score the first of the match after a superb general movement in the continuity of a well-negotiated touch.

Two attempts refused

Despite Gabin Lorre's dive into the promised land after a 20 m race, M. Rousselet, referee of the match, returned to a screen from Tim Nanai-Williams (27th ).

This action followed a breakthrough by Nicolas Plazy, three minutes earlier, who had died five meters from the Breton line. After the rejected try, Béziers seemed to suffer the blow and conceded a try from Camou. Then a second at the start of the second act for the first break of the game (14-6).

Also read: Last action of Vannes-ASBH: was there a Breton fault on the last possession of Béziers ?

In reaction, Sam Marques was going to relax his arm to bring his team closer to the score. No, after a second video arbitration, M. Plazy logically refused this mark to the visitors. After yet another restart, a new grain of sand deprived the Héraultais of a try, a final pass, forward.

Even if Paul Réau came to reward his team in the corner (64th), then Gabin Lorre (72nd), Charly Malié's too risky restart cost a loss of ball and the third Breton try (68th). The last stand of the Biterrois, who dreamed of reproducing the finish against Brive, seven days earlier, suddenly ended like their hopes of the final.

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