French Top 10 closer than ever

Lille's vocal supporters encourage ther team in Paris as upwards of 3000 spectators watch thefirst legs of the​Top 10 semi-finals and relegation play-offs

The competition has also now split. For four teams it is now all aboutla glorieand competing for the championship of France, while for the rest it’s now a battle to avoidl'horreurof a relegation play-off, and possibly joining Lons and Bordeaux in the lower division.

Of the top four teams, one stands out – Montpellier. The home club of three quarters of the Grand Slam winning French team's pack, not to mention their inspirational captain Galle Mignot, they started the weekend as overwhelming favourites. However, opponents Caen had other ideas.

Caen threw themselves into the battle, with such aggression that Montpellier were thrown back onto the defensive. Penalties resulted, which Caen centre Sytske D’Haeseleir took full advantage of, converting two in the first quarter of an hour. But it was not to last.

"We let them back in the game with our mistakes," said Aurore Sobolak, Caen’s fly-half after the game. "A penalty try was not awarded, balls were lost in the final five meters, passes went to ground..."

As the direction of the game began to change, the Caen pack, one of the lightest packs in the championship, withstood the challenge of their Grand Slam winning opponents, repeatedly snuffing out the threat of Safi N'Diaye, breaking from the back of the Montpellier pack, but they could not hold out forever and almost inevitably the tall number 8 put her team on the board as the first half neared its end, scoring in the corner. Despite this Caen ended the 40 minutes on a high as Aurora Sobolak dropped a goal to end the half with Caen 9-5 ahead.

Caen attempted to regain the initiative after the break. But it was vain with Montpellier soaking up the pressure without conceding points, while at the same time gaining confidence. Again the play swung the way of the visitors and a try by Viginie Vidal, this time converted by Aurelie Bailon, put Montpellier 9-12 ahead.

Nonetheless Caen were determinded not to end their final home game with a loss. As the clock ran down winger Sandrine Boisseau broke the Montpellier like, but despite a run of 20 meters, was brought to ground. However, in the ensuing melee a penalty was won – and converted to tie the scores, and the game. Despite everything Aurore Sobolak was satisfied with the result: "We knew we could compete. We took advantage of their lack of competition, and we knew their internationals would have been relaxing a bit after their grand slam. We were ready for this. Even with home advantage they will have to increase their aggression and raise their game to beat us in the second leg. And they will! It will not be easy to win there. We say that anything is possible. We have our part to play.”

The second semi-final was almost as close. Last year’s runners-up, Lille, travelled down to Paris to face Bobigny - the only club who have beaten Montpellier this season. The northerners suffered a major blow before the game with the loss of international prop Helene Ezanno with a torn meniscus in training that will see her miss the rest of the club season, and perhaps beyond.

Despite this Lille began well. One the largest crowds ever seen at Stade Henri Wallon saw an early exchange of penalties before on 28 minutes a well worked try by the Lille forwards, who were dominant at this stage. The final ten minutes saw the visitors camped on the Bobigny line – but, crucially, the Parisians held out to finish only 10-3 behind at the break.

The “Wolves” of Bobigny began the second half in better spirit, and within two minutes Johanna Sainlo had reduced the score to 10-8. But soon the game swung again, with a second Lille try to put them 15-8 ahead. A penalty pulled the score back to 15-11, before Bobigny captain Marion Lievre again lived up to her name to hare down the line, in the style that became familiar in the Six Nations, to put the home team in the lead.

With the conversion Bobigny were now 18-15 ahead, which became 21-15 with another Sandra Métier penalty as the game drew to its end.

But Lille were not finished and the final few seconds on the clock took advantage of a poor clearance to score a third try, giving Bobigny only a one point advantage for the second leg.

Following this game Lille’s coach, Damien Couvreur, did not hide his disappointment."We failed in the second half keep hold of the ball and play to our strengths."

His counterpart Fabien Antonelli, on the other hand, the pleasure personified. "The day was a complete success.The atmosphere, a full stadium and the victory that allows us to remain undefeated at home this season.The the girls spent a lot of energy in the fight and defence.We still have a week to recover and find an answer to the Lille mauls."

The first "play-down" semi-final, between Blagnac St Orens (BSORF) and Rennes was just as close. The prospect of relegation from the Top 10 (or Top 8 as it will be next season) may have accounted for a slow and cautious start, before Audrey Abadie finally broke the deadlock with a 30 metre penalty after a quarter of an hour. She missed a second kick a few minutes later, but then on 20 minutes a Marjorie Mayan try added to the score, sending the home team into the break 8-0 ahead.

Abadie had a very kickable chance to extend the lead early in the second half, and soon that miss was regreted as Rennes came storming back with a try from Pascaline Bourel, converted by Guénaëlle Mahé, to bring the visitors within a point. But BSOF hung on to the lead - and will take that advantage north with them this weekend.

Unlike other teams who have been vocal about the problems caused by the huge gap since the last game, BSORF coach Alain Diez was thankful for the break they had had as it had allowed captain Manon André to recover from injury - "without her we would have lost" he said after the game.

The final game of the weekend was the only one decided by more than a point, but it was still a game full of incident and another game played before a large crowd.

An epic encounter saw Perpignan host La Valette before a packed, and highly partizan, main stand. Two Le Duff penalties put the the home team 6-0 ahead in the opening 15 minutes before two driving mauls resulted in two more tries either side of half-time, the from a line out, and both converted by Le Duff.

Perpignan's forwards were the key, and despite occasionally pressing the Perpignan line. La Valette were always held out as the Catalans snuffed out any threats before they could get started.

Perpignan rounded off the game with a third try five minutes before the end after a deft chip through by Le Duff which was well picked up by Julie Billes. The conversion was missed, but a 25-0 advantage should be enough to see Perpignan avoid the 8th place trapdoor play-off in two week's time.

They have an injury concern with Letticia Salles coming off with a shoulder injury in the first 15 minutes, however Clémence Rière at tight head had some great runs and set up the driving maul that lead to the first try and Manon Tetart in the second row was everywhere, looking epecially strong in the line out. Sylvie Parnaud at full back also put in a solid performance and Perpignan are confident about the return game.

Elsewhere at the weekend, Bayonne were winners of the Armelle Auclair - the lower division of the Elite league - after another close game, this time a 16-15 win over Fonsorbes. They will take on whoever loses the 7th/8th place game for the final place in the top division next month.