Oyonnax is back in the Top 14! Oyonnax won against Grenoble in the Pro D2 final (14-3) in a packed Ernest Wallon stadium. Grenoble did not go far but the championship leader logically emerged victorious from a long battle.
It really wasn’t the match of the year, the show wasn’t really in the spotlight, but the toughness of the Oyonnaxians made the difference. Enough to allow them to win a third title of French Pro D2 champion, after 2013 and 2017.
Oyonnax’s victory took time to emerge because Grenoble remained within gunshot range throughout the game. However, from scrum half Charlie Cassang’s try in the 35th minute (first points of the game), the Oyomen raced in the lead until the end.
Despite the three penalties missed by the opening half Jules Soulan and the first three Grenoble points which arrived late (63rd minute) after a penalty from Thomas Fortunel, it was not until the siren to deliver the people of Oyonnax. The siren because before the end of the meeting, Aurélien Callandret put an end to the suspense on the gong with his team’s second try in the corner, after a conclusive carried ball.
At the end of a game with many fouls, lost balls and tension, Oyonnax lifts a hard-earned trophy to return to the Top 14 five years after leaving it. For its part, Grenoble will wait for its opponent for the Access Match. Answer Sunday evening at the end of the 26th and last day of Top 14. We will know which of Pau or Perpignan will find Grenoble for the last place in the first division.
