Vannes-ASBH semi-final: playful Biterrois finally cracked against pragmatic Bretons

Clément Ancely a longtemps régné dans les airs, en vain. MAXPPP – Nicolas Creach

L’ASBH se déplaçait à Vannes ce vendredi 31 mai en demi-finale de Pro D2. Malgré une performance intéressante, ils ont souffert de l’efficacité bretonne.

The match

VALVE : 27
BEZIERS : 21

La Rabine Stadium.
Mi–time : 7-6.
Referee: Benoît Rousselet.
Spectators: 11,865.
For Vannes : 3 tries Camou (35th), Blanchard (43rd), Beziat (70th) ; 3 Lafage transformations; 2 penalties Lafage (67th, 77th)
For Béziers : 2 tries Reau (64th), Lorre (72nd) ; 1 Lorre transformation (73rd); 3 penalties from Marques (5th, 39th), Lorre (78th).
Yellow card à Vannes: Desjeux (75th).

VALVE : Duplenne – Surano, Vilaseca, Arrate (Le Bail, 70th), Camou – (o) Lafage, (m) Ruru – Gorrissen (cap), Kalamafoni (Boulier, 70th), Pedemonte (O’Shea, 66th) – O’Shea, Bresler (Edwards, 5th) – Tafili (Kite, 59th), Blanchard (Beziat, 50th), Bordelai (Berguet, 59th).

BEZIERS : Lorre – Reau (Dreuille, 73rd), Nanai-Williams (Recor, 65th), Tupuola, Plazy – (o) Malié, (m) Brands – Ancely (cap), Pauta, Van Bost (Hoarau, 70th) – Gayraud (Madigan, 48th), Nkinsi – Zabala (Tchelidze, 71st), Arnoldi (Boulassel, 59th), Fernandes (Amrouni. 48th)

We don't say that La Rabine is more incandescent than Raoul-Barrière on a finals evening. But the Breton speaker knows how to give voice. And for this second Pro D2 final, the stage was set for the Biterrois, despite everything supported by hundreds of courageous people who came to support the Héraultais 800 kilometers from home.

In a crazy atmosphere, the game started at a very high pace. One swipe to the left, one swipe to the right. In this game, Pierre Caillet's men have been shining since the start of the season. Despite the stakes, they did not hesitate to move the ball. The only problem is the lack of efficiency. Despite three crossings and a magnificent rejected try from Gabin Lorre, the Rouge et Bleu were satisfied with two penalties from Sam Marques (5th, 39th).

LE MAGNIFIQUE TIFFO DU STADE DE LA RABINE 🔥

Le match va commencer, quelle ambiance de folie !#RCVASBH #ProD2 #Rugby #DemiesProD2 #RCV #RCVannes #Vannes #Beziers #ASBH pic.twitter.com/9wpagXrot0

— Le Top14 Pas Officiel 2.0 (@Top14OffBis) May 31, 2024

Pragmatics from Vannes

The people of Vannes, for their part, initially let the storm pass. Lorre’s refused attempt boosted them. So much so that they converted their only sequence within the opposing 10 meters, on a long action concluded by Romaric Camou (35th).

When we returned from the locker room, the dynamic was Breton. On their first opportunity, they scored a second try concluded by the solid hooker Cyril Blanchard.

In the process, the people of Hérault reacted. Twice they crossed the goal line. But a forward from Samuel Marques at the moment of flattening and a slightly forward pass from Tim Nanai-Williams convinced the referee of the day, Mr. Rousselet, to refuse them. But through self-sacrifice and further action offshore, Paul Reau ended up crossing the line (64th).

Three points behind (14-11), the Héraultais took risks. A restart from their goal cost them a penalty and a try straight away (24-11, 70th). A crossover took place over the last ten minutes, with the Biterrois refusing to give up. In vain. ASBH bows at the gates of the final. Vannes will face Grenoble next Saturday at Ernest Wallon (5:30 p.m.) for a title and a place in the Top 14.