France: Lille extend gap at the top

The league table for the French Top 8 is a little misleading a present.  Champions Montpellier are shown to be languishing in fifth place, apparently closer to relegation than regaining their title. However this is mainly due to their last game being postponed – and moreover a home fixture against bottom team La Valette.

How incorrect that position is was shown by the 15-10 win over USA Perpignan, who had been showing great form with back-to-back wins over Rennes and Bobigny. This came to an end at a now dried-out Stade Sabthe – though it was still a close game (certainly closer than last year),  decided by a single try.

That win may leave them in fifth place at the moment, but on this form a win in their rearranged game (now to be played on 2nd November) seems guaranteed – and would see them leap into third place.

Such a win would also highlight the gap that is opening at the bottom. Rennes, Caen and La Valette are beginning to slip behind rest, which made Caen’s visit to Rennes all the more vital. Caen appeared to have the initial advantage in the game, and were 10-5 ahead at half-time, but Rennes turned the game round completely in the second period with three unanswered tries – all converted – and a well taken drop goal from Jade le Pesq not only giving them the win but a bonus point as well.

The third team battling at the bottom, La Valette, had an altogether more difficult challenge as they hosted unbeaten league leaders Lille. Untroubled by the long journey to the south (and rather enjoying the warmer weather they found there!) French women’s rugby’s northern outpost notched up a fourth win complete with a try bonus, winning 38-7 with six tries including a brace from Chloe Pelle plus score for Shannon Izar, Hélène Tissiez, and Miléna Soloch as well as a “collective” score for the pack. against one.(Fell)

Lille were in complete command from the start, dominating the breakdown, and were 19 points up at the break (0-19). However, the second half was much more contested with the Valettoises taking advantage of the yellow card to come back at their visitors woth a very well taken try by Clarisse Fell.

However, Lille were able to regain the advantage and further scores in the final 15 minutes ensure a win and the vital bonus point.

The final game of the day saw second take on third as Bobigny entertained Blagnac St Orens (BSORF). Both have had similar seasons, being apparently invincible at home but rather shakey away, and this was the case here. Despite two huge home wins BSORF had no answer to their opponents, in particular Marion Lièvre who scored all four of Bobigny’s tries as the Parisian swept to a bonus point win, with Sandra Metier and Julie Annery also having an impressive game.

P

W

L

PD

Pts

1

Lille

4

4

0

63

18

2

Bobigny

4

3

1

22

14

3

Perpignan

4

2

2

20

11

4

BSORF

4

2

2

12

10

5

Montpellier

3

2

1

0

8

6

Rennes

4

1

3

-18

6

7

Caen

4

1

3

-46

5

8

La Valette

3

0

3

-53

1