TOPS
What a season for the Catalan coach. In an ejection seat at the start of the season after negative results, he remained in control aboard the ship, supported by all his players. The outcome of the season is favorable to him and it is a just reward for a coach who, throughout the season, offered attacking play and pleasant matches. This Saturday evening, given the difference made in the second half, his coaching paid off and he can now leave Perpignan with the feeling of a job well done. It offers a third consecutive season in the Top 14 to the Catalan people.
If the difference in the score at the final whistle may seem severe, the FCG has long been neck and neck with the USAP. And if the Grenoble hopes lasted more than an hour, it is partly thanks to its opener. Author of the only Isérois try of the match, he also scored a drop of 40 meters (25th) to allow Grenoble to stay in the match. Fair in its choices without being sparkling either, it will have shown itself up to the appointment until its exit.
Discreet for a good part of the meeting and not helped behind the rucks by Catalan supporters who were often absent or late, he came out of the shadows at the best of times. At 16-18 in favor of the Catalans, Grenoble still believed in it. It was then that the USAP scrum half decided to make his speed and his support speak to do a little number in the Grenoble defense: fake pass, fuss and acceleration before serving Dubois for a 2 against 1 of school. It is his inspiration that allows the USAP to take off and gain confidence for the end of the match. Grenoble will never return and Deghmache and the USAP will again tread the lawns of the Top 14 next season.
FLOPS
The rain does not explain everything. There was no doubt that the stakes were played, but the number of forwards committed by the two teams this evening undermined the continuity of the game and spoiled the party a bit. There are many interesting occasions or phases of play that ended in a forward when the gap was made and the danger weighed on the opposing defense. If Perpignan corrected the problem in the second period, Grenoble still wasted ammunition like this penalty (poorly) played by hand five meters from the line which will come to nothing. Grenoble will no doubt be able to regret some of its chances and the lack of pressure management.
As we know, the difference between the Top 14 and the Pro D2 is significant. For more than 50 minutes, it was almost invisible as Grenoble responded with intensity and in each duel. Only here, the USAP has been in the Top 14 for two seasons now and has fought many great fights this season against teams of a completely different caliber. And obviously, Grenoble did not manage to hold the 80 minutes. More undisciplined from the hour mark, they lacked precision in the important areas in attack and defense. These matches are often played on details and it is no coincidence that after all the energy expended for an hour, Deghmache’s try is the consequence of two games at Grenoble’s foot which did not come out in touch. . The FCG will therefore have a year to work on these details.
