Bobigny’s wolves maul champions

Of the two northern teams, it was Bobigny who stole the headlines with an impressive 27-12 win over champions Montpellier.

In truth the “Ladybirds” from Montpellier could plead injury problems. Their internationally famed pack was heavily disrupted by the loss of both Safi N’Diaye and Assa Koita, forcing captain Gallee Mignot to play at No. 8.

Bobigny, on the other hand, have grown in strength significantly over summer. Not only did they pick up Caroline Ladagnous, but also a number of players from the former Gennevillers club – a Top 10 team until two years ago, which folded in the summer due to disagreements between the players and club management.

With their opponent’s biggest weapon blunted, Bobigny’s impressive backline, with international caps from 10 to 15 (Métier, Ciofani, Godiveau, Lièvre, Guérin and Ladagnous – not to mention Biscarrat on the bench), was able to take charge. Young sevens international Lina Guérin opened the scoring on 29 minutes, followed by student sevens international Anne-Cécile Ciofani ten minutes later, and captain Marion Lièvre scored a third try soon after the break (brilliantly set-up by Godiveau). Montpellier pulled two tries back through Jennifer Troncy and Elodie Poublan, but with a second try from Guérin and one more from Biscarrat (also set up by the work of Godiveau), Bobigny not only came away with a win but a bonus point as well.

Blagnac St Orens (BSORF) produced the most impressive performance on the opening day of the championship, but this weekend their trip north to Lille was less successful. In front of a good crowd Lille, playing at their home ground for the first time since January, were soon in charge, their forwards scoring the first three tries in the first half, and the three-quarters adding two more in the second. Result – a 30-8 win for the northerners.

Elsewhere Caen recovered from their drubbing to BSORF in week 1 see off the challenge of La Valette. Julie Duval was the rock on which their win was achieved, setting the tone with the opening try on 7’ after a long drive from the pack. The lead did not last long, but another drive from the pack ensured that Caen went into the break 12-7 ahead. The game remain tight with an exchange of penalties, before on 72’ a well-worked move by the backs, using the full width of the field, allowed Sandra Rabier to extend the lead to 20-10. La Valette battled hard in the final minutes, but Caen’s defence held and despite that consolation try for the visitors, finished winners by 20-15.

The only win for a southern team came from Perpignan, who returned from their trip to Rennes with narrow win – two first half penalties (20’ and 40’) from Christelle Le Duff giving them the game by 6-0. After such a close game disappointed Rennes coach Philippe Lansade was quick to point out the missed opportunities: "We did not take all of our chances, especially in the first half when we had a good period of ten minutes when we got over the line twice, but the referee awarded us nothing.”

Rennes also missed three penalty opportunities, “Those nine possible points cost us. In addition on 70’ Allainmat looked certain to score but the referee ruled that she put a foot in touch. I do not deny that, but this is a disappointment. It was an opponent that we really wanted to beat at home to both launch our season, and also because we think it is a direct competitor to qualify for the semis. "So many regrets about the game but Lansade was still optimistic: "We had just to many poor choices in our game today, but on the other hand we it was much better than last week in Montpellier."